Regions of the Urals: description and features. Ural Mountains Ural in the art and culture of Russia

Basic moments

This mountain system itself, which not only separates both continents, but is also an officially delineated cordon between them, belongs to Europe: the border is usually drawn along the eastern foot of the mountains. Formed as a result of the collision of the Eurasian and African lithospheric plates, the Ural Mountains cover a vast territory. It includes the expanses of the Sverdlovsk, Orenburg and Tyumen regions, the Perm Territory, Bashkortostan and the Komi Republic, as well as the Aktobe and Kustanai regions of Kazakhstan.

In terms of its height, which does not exceed 1895 meters, the mountain system is significantly inferior to such giants as the Himalayas and the Pamirs. For example, the peaks of the polar Urals are average in terms of level - 600-800 meters, not to mention the fact that they are also the narrowest in terms of the width of the ridge. However, there is a definite plus in such geological characteristics: they remain accessible to humans. And this is not so much about scientific research, but about the tourist attractiveness of the places through which they run. The landscape of the Ural Mountains is truly unique. Here, crystal clear mountain streams and rivers begin their run, growing into larger reservoirs. Such large rivers as the Ural, Kama, Pechora, Chusovaya and Belaya also flow here.

For tourists, a wide variety of recreational opportunities open up here: both for real extreme sportsmen and for beginners. And the Ural Mountains are a true treasure trove of minerals. In addition to deposits of coal, natural gas and oil, mines are being developed here, in which copper, nickel, chromium, titanium, gold, silver, and platinum are mined. If we recall the tales of Pavel Bazhov, the Ural zone is also rich in malachite. And also - emerald, diamond, crystal, amethyst, jasper and other precious stones.

The atmosphere of the Ural Mountains, regardless of whether you visit the Northern or Southern Urals, Subpolar or Middle, is indescribable. And their greatness, beauty, harmony and the purest air energize and positive, inspire and, of course, leave vivid impressions for the rest of your life.

History of the Ural Mountains

The Ural Mountains have been known since ancient times. In sources that have survived to this day, they are associated with the Hyperborean and Riphean mountains. So, Ptolemy pointed out that this mountain system consists of the mountains Rhymnus (this is the current Middle Urals), Norosa (Southern Urals) and the northern part - the Hyperborean mountains proper. In the first written sources of the 11th century AD, it was called the “Earth Belt” because of its great length.

In the first Russian chronicle, The Tale of Bygone Years, which dates back to the same 11th century, the Ural Mountains were called by our compatriots Siberian, Belt or Big Stone. Under the name "Big Stone" they were also applied to the first map of the Russian state, also known as the "Big Drawing", published in the second half of the 16th century. Cartographers of those years depicted the Urals as a mountain belt, from where many rivers originate.

There are many versions of the origin of the name of this mountain system. E. K. Hoffman, who developed the so-called Mansi version of this toponym, compares the name "Ural" with the Mansi word "ur", which translates as "mountain". The second point of view, also very common, is the borrowing of the name from the Bashkir language. She, according to many scientists, seems to be the most convincing. After all, if we take the language, legends and traditions of this people - for example, the famous epos "Ural-Batyr" - then it is easy to make sure that this place name has not only existed in them since ancient times, but has been maintained from generation to generation.

Nature and climate

The natural landscape of the Ural Mountains is incredibly beautiful and multifaceted. Here you can not only look at the mountains themselves, but also go down into numerous caves, swim in the waters of local lakes, get a portion of the thrill while rafting on turbulent rivers. Moreover, each tourist chooses for himself how to travel. Some people like independent trips with a backpack on their shoulders, others prefer the more comfortable conditions of a sightseeing bus or the interior of a personal car.

The fauna of the "Earth Belt" is no less diverse. The dominant position in the local fauna is occupied by forest animals, the habitat of which is coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed forests. So, squirrels live in coniferous forests, the basis of their diet is spruce seeds, and in winter these pretty animals with a fluffy tail feed on pre-stocked pine nuts and dried mushrooms. The marten is widespread in local forests, the existence of which is difficult to imagine without the already mentioned squirrel, for which this predator hunts.

But the real wealth of these places is the fur trade animal, the fame of which extends far beyond the region, for example, the sable that lives in the forests of the Northern Urals. True, it differs from the dark Siberian sable in a less beautiful reddish skin. Uncontrolled hunting for a valuable furry animal is prohibited at the legislative level. Without this ban, it would certainly have been completely destroyed by now.

The taiga forests of the Ural Mountains are also inhabited by the traditional Russian wolf, bear and elk. Roe deer are found in mixed forests. On the plains adjacent to the mountain ranges, the hare and the fox feel at ease. We did not make a reservation: they live precisely on the flat terrain, and the forest for them is just a shelter. And, of course, the crowns of trees are well inhabited by many species of birds.

As for the climate of the Ural Mountains, the geographical position plays an important role in this regard. In the north, this mountain system goes beyond the Arctic Circle, but most of the mountains are located in the temperate climate zone. If you move from north to south along the perimeter of the mountain system, you can notice how the temperature indicators gradually increase, which is especially noticeable in the summer. If in the north during the warm season the thermometer shows from +10 to +12 degrees, then in the south - from 20 to 22 degrees above zero. However, in winter, the temperature difference between north and south is not so sharp. The average monthly temperature in January in the north is 20 degrees with a minus sign, in the south 16-18 degrees below zero.

Air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean also have a significant impact on the climate of the Urals. And although as atmospheric flows move from the west towards the Urals, the air becomes less humid, you cannot call it 100% dry either. As a result, more precipitation - 600-800 millimeters per year - falls on the western slope, while on the eastern slope this figure varies between 400-500 mm. But the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains in winter fall under the power of a powerful Siberian anticyclone, while in the south, in the cold season, cloudy and cold weather sets in.

A tangible influence on local climate fluctuations is also exerted by such a factor as the topography of the mountain system. As you climb the mountain, you will feel that the weather is getting harsher. Different temperatures are felt even on different slopes, including those located in the neighborhood. Different areas of the Ural Mountains are also characterized by uneven amounts of precipitation.

Sights of the Ural Mountains

One of the most famous protected areas of the Ural Mountains is the Deer Streams park, located in the Sverdlovsk region. Curious tourists, especially those interested in ancient history, make a "pilgrimage" to the Pisanitsa rock located here, on the surface of which drawings made by ancient artists are applied. Of considerable interest are the caves and the Big Failure. Deer Streams has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure: special trails are equipped in the park, there are viewing platforms, not to mention places for recreation. There are also rope crossings.

If you are familiar with the work of the writer Pavel Bazhov, his famous "Malachite Box", then you will certainly be interested in visiting the natural park "Bazhovskie Places". Opportunities for proper rest and relaxation are simply magnificent. You can make walks on foot, as well as cycling and horseback riding. Walking along specially designed and thought-out routes, you will take in picturesque landscapes, climb Mount Markov Stone and visit Lake Talkov Stone. Thrill-seekers usually flock here in the summer to raft down mountain rivers in canoes and kayaks. Travelers come here in winter, enjoying snowmobiling.

If you appreciate the natural beauty of semi-precious stones - it is natural, not subject to processing - be sure to visit the Rezhevskaya reserve, which combines deposits of not only precious, but also semi-precious and ornamental stones. It is forbidden to travel to the mining sites on your own - you must be accompanied by an employee of the reserve, but this in no way affects the impressions of what you see. The Rezh River flows through the territory of Rezhevsky, it was formed as a result of the confluence of the Big Sap and Ayati - rivers originating in the Ural Mountains. Shaitan-stone, popular among travelers, is located on the right bank of the Rezhi. The Urals consider this stone to be the focus of mystical natural forces that help in various life situations. You can believe it or not, but the flow of tourists who come to the stone with various requests to higher powers does not dry out.

Of course, the Urals attract like a magnet fans of extreme tourism who enjoy visiting its caves, of which there are a huge number. The most famous are Shulgan-Tash, or Kapova, and the Kungur Ice Cave. The length of the latter is almost 6 km, of which only one and a half kilometers are accessible to tourists. On the territory of the ice cave Kungura there are 50 grottoes, over 60 lakes and countless stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature in the cave is always sub-zero, so for visits here, dress as you would for a winter walk. The visual effect of the splendor of its interior decoration is enhanced by special lighting. But in the Kapova cave, researchers discovered rock paintings, whose age is estimated at 14 or more thousand years. Approximately 200 works of ancient masters of the brush have become the property of our time, although there must have been more of them. Travelers can also admire the underground lakes and visit the grottoes, galleries and numerous halls located on three levels.

If the caves of the Ural Mountains create a winter atmosphere at any time of the year, then some sights are best visited in winter. One of them is the ice fountain, which is located in the Zyuratkul National Park and arose thanks to the efforts of geologists who drilled a well in this place. Moreover, this is not just a fountain in the usual “urban” sense for us, but a fountain of groundwater. With the onset of winter, it freezes and turns into a voluminous icicle of a bizarre shape, which is also impressive with its 14-meter height.

Many Russians, in order to improve their health, go to foreign thermal springs, for example, to the Czech Karlovy Vary or the Gellert baths in Budapest. But why rush beyond the cordon if our native Ural is also rich in thermal springs? To complete a full course of healing procedures, it is enough to come to Tyumen. Hot springs here are rich in trace elements useful for human health, and the water temperature in them ranges from +36 to +45 degrees Celsius, depending on the season. We add that modern recreation centers are built on these sources. Mineral waters are also treated in the Ust-Kachka recreation complex, located not far from Perm and unique in the chemical composition of its waters. Summer recreation here can be combined with boating and catamarans.

Despite the fact that waterfalls are not so typical for the Ural Mountains, they are present here and attract the attention of tourists. Among them, one can single out the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. It overthrows fresh water from a height exceeding 7 m. Its other name is Ilyinsky, it is given by local residents and visitors who consider this source to be holy. There is also a waterfall near Yekaterinburg, named for its roaring "temper" Grokhotun. Its peculiarity is that it is man-made. He throws his waters down from more than 5 meters high. When the summer heat sets in, visitors are happy to stand under its jets, cooling off and receiving hydromassage, and completely free of charge.

Video: South Ural

Major cities of the Urals

Millionth Yekaterinburg, the administrative center of the Sverdlovsk region, is called the capital of the Urals. It is also, unofficially, the third capital of Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg and the third capital of Russian rock. This is a large industrial metropolis, especially charming in winter. He is generously covered with snow, under the cover of which he resembles a giant who has fallen asleep in a deep sleep, and you never know exactly when he will wake up. But when you get enough sleep, then, do not hesitate, it will definitely unfold to its full potential.

Yekaterinburg usually makes a strong impression on its guests - first of all, with many architectural sights. Among them are the famous Temple-on-the-Blood, erected on the site of the execution of the last Russian emperor and his family, the Sverdlovsk rock club, the building of the former District Court, museums of various subjects, and even an unusual monument ... to an ordinary computer keyboard. The capital of the Urals is also famous for its shortest subway in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records: 7 stations account for only 9 km.

Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Tagil also gained wide popularity in Russia, and primarily thanks to the popular comedy show Our Russia. The characters of the program, beloved by the audience, are, of course, fictitious, but tourists are still interested in where to find Ivan Dulin, the world's first gay miller, and Vovan and Gena, Russian tourists who are unlucky and drink-loving, constantly getting into frankly tragicomic situations. One of the visiting cards of Chelyabinsk are two monuments: Love, executed in the form of an iron tree, and Lefty with a savvy flea. Impressive in the city is the panorama of local factories located above the Miass River. But in the Nizhny Tagil Museum of Fine Arts you can see a painting by Raphael - the only one in our country that can be found outside the Hermitage.

Another city in the Urals that has become famous thanks to television is Perm. It is here that the “real boys” live, who became the heroes of the series of the same name. Perm claims to be the next cultural capital of Russia, and this idea is actively lobbied by designer Artemy Lebedev, who works on the appearance of the city, and gallery owner Marat Gelman, who specializes in contemporary art.

The real historical treasure of the Urals and all of Russia is also Orenburg, which is called the land of endless steppes. At one time, he survived the siege of the troops of Emelyan Pugachev, its streets and walls remember the visits of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, Taras Grigorievich Shevchenko and the wedding of the first cosmonaut of the Earth Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin.

In Ufa, another city in the Urals, there is a symbolic sign "Kilometer Zero". The local post office is the very point from which the distance to other points of our planet is measured. Another well-known attraction of the capital of Bashkortostan is the Ufa bronze sign, which is a disk with a diameter of one and a half meters and weighing a whole ton. And in this city - at least, so the locals assure - there is the highest equestrian statue on the European continent. This is a monument to Salavat Yulaev, who is also called the Bashkir Bronze Horseman. The horse, on which this associate of Emelyan Pugacheva sits, towers over the Belaya River.

Ski resorts in the Urals

The most important ski resorts of the Urals are concentrated in three regions of our country: the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions, as well as in Bashkortostan. Zavyalikha, Bannoe and Abzakovo are the most famous of them. The first one is located near the city of Trekhgorny, the last two are located near Magnitogorsk. According to the results of the competition, which is held within the framework of the International Congress of the Ski Industry, Abzakovo was recognized as the best ski resort in the Russian Federation in the 2005-2006 season.

A whole scattering of ski resorts is also concentrated in the regions of the Middle and Southern Urals. Thrill-seekers and just curious tourists who want to try their hand at such an “adrenaline” sport as skiing come here almost all year round. Travelers here are waiting for good tracks for skiing, as well as for sledding and snowboarding.

In addition to skiing, descents along mountain rivers are very popular among travelers. Fans of such alloys, which also increase the level of adrenaline, go for thrills to Miass, Magnitogorsk, Asha or Kropchaevo. True, it will not be possible to quickly reach your destination, as you will have to travel by train or by car.

The holiday season in the Urals lasts on average from October-November to April. During this period, snowmobiling and quad biking are another popular pastime. In Zavyalikha, which has become one of the most popular tourist destinations, they even installed a special trampoline. On it, experienced athletes work out complex elements and tricks.

How to get there

Getting to all the major Ural cities will not be difficult, so the region of this majestic mountain system is one of the most convenient for domestic tourists. The flight from Moscow will take only three hours, and if you prefer to travel by train, the journey by rail will take a little over a day.

The main Ural city, as we have already said, is Yekaterinburg, located in the Middle Urals. Due to the fact that the Ural Mountains themselves are low, it was possible to lay several transport routes leading to Siberia from Central Russia. In particular, you can travel through the territory of this region along the famous railway artery - the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The Ural Mountains are located on the territory of Russia and Kazakhstan and are a unique geographical feature that divides the mainland of Eurasia into two parts.

Direction and extent of the Ural Mountains.

The length of the Ural Mountains is more than 2500 km, they originate from the coastArctic Ocean and end in the hot deserts of Kazakhstan. Due to the fact that the Ural Mountains cross the territory of Russia from north to south, they pass through five geographical zones. They include the expanses of the Orenburg, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Aktobe, Tyumen and Kustanai regions, as well as the territories of the Perm Territory, the Komi Republic and Bashkortostan.

Minerals of the Ural Mountains.

In the bowels of the Urals are hidden untold riches known to the whole world. This is the famous malachite, and gemstones colorfully described by Bazhov in his fairy tales, asbestos, platinum, gold and other minerals.

Nature of the Ural Mountains.

This region is famous for its incredible beauty of nature. People come here to look at the amazing mountains, plunge into the clear waters of numerous lakes, go down into caves or raft down the rapid rivers of the Ural Mountains. You can travel through colorful places both measuring the expanses of the Urals with a backpack over your shoulders, and in the comfort of a sightseeing bus or your own car.

Ural mountains in the Sverdlovsk region.

The beauty of these mountains is best seen in natural parks and reserves. Once in the Sverdlovsk region, you definitely need to visit the "Deer Streams". Tourists come here to see the drawings of an ancient man painted on the surface of the Pisanitsa rock, visit the caves and go down to the Big Proval, marveling at the strength of the river that made its way through the Perforated Stone. For visitors, special trails have been laid in the park, observation platforms, cable crossings and places for recreation have been arranged.

Park "Bazhovskie Places".

There is a natural park in the Urals called "Bazhovskie Mesto" where you can go hiking, riding and cycling. Specially designed routes allow you to see picturesque landscapes, visit Lake Talkov Stone and climb Mount Markov Stone. In winter, you can travel here on snowmobiles, and in summer you can go down the mountain rivers in kayaks or kayaks.

Rezhevsky reserve.

Connoisseurs of the natural beauty of semi-precious stones should definitely visit the Rezhevskoy reserve of the Ural Mountains, which includes several unique deposits of ornamental, precious and semi-precious stones. It is possible to make a trip to the places of extraction only if accompanied by an employee of the reserve. The Rezh River flows through its territory, formed by the confluence of the Ayat and Bolshoi Sap rivers. These rivers originate in the Ural Mountains. On the right bank of the river Rezh rises the famous Shaitan stone. The locals consider it a place of mystical power.

Ural caves.

Fans of extreme tourism will be happy to visit the numerous caves of the Urals. The most famous of them are Kungur ice and Shulgan-Tash (Kapova). The ice cave of Kungura stretches for 5.7 km, although only 1.5 km of them are accessible to tourists. On its territory there are about 50 grottoes, more than 60 lakes and many stalactites and stalagmites made of ice. The temperature here is always below zero, so you need to dress accordingly to visit it. To enhance the visual effect, special lighting is used in the cave.

In the cave of Kapova, scientists discovered rock paintings that are more than 14 thousand years old. In total, about 200 works of ancient artists were found in its open spaces. In addition, you can visit numerous halls, grottoes and galleries located on three levels, admire underground lakes, in one of which an inattentive visitor risks swimming at the entrance.

Some sights of the Ural Mountains are best visited in winter. One of these places is located in the Zyuratkul National Park. This is an ice fountain, which arose thanks to geologists who once drilled a well in this place. Now a fountain of underground waters is beating from it. In winter, it turns into a bizarre icicle, reaching a height of 14 m.

Thermal springs of the Urals.

The Urals is also rich in thermal springs, therefore, in order to undergo healing procedures, there is no need to fly abroad, it is enough to come to Tyumen. Local thermal springs are rich in trace elements beneficial to human health, and the water temperature in the spring ranges from +36 to +45 0 C, regardless of the time of year. Recreation centers have been built on these waters.

Ust-Kachka, Perm.

Not far from Perm, there is a health-improving complex "Ust-Kachka", unique in the composition of its mineral waters. In summer, you can ride catamarans or boats here. In winter, ski slopes, ice skating rinks and slides are at the service of vacationers.

Waterfalls of the Urals.

For the Ural Mountains, waterfalls are not common, all the more interesting to visit such a natural miracle. One of them is the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. Fresh water falls from a height of more than 7 m. Local residents and visitors consider this source to be holy and gave it the name Ilyinsky.

There is also a man-made waterfall near Yekaterinburg, nicknamed “Rumbler” for the roar of water. Its waters fall down from a height of more than 5 m. On a hot summer day, it is pleasant to stand under its jets, cooling off and getting a free hydromassage.

In the Perm Territory there is a unique place called Stone Town. This name was given to it by tourists, although among the local population this miracle of nature is called "Devil's Settlement". The stones in this complex are arranged in such a way that the illusion of a real city with streets, squares and avenues is created. You can walk through its labyrinths for hours, and beginners can even get lost. Each stone has its own name, given for its resemblance to some animal. Some tourists climb the tops of the rocks to see the beauty of the green that surrounds the City.

Ridges and cliffs of the Ural Mountains.

Many cliffs of the Ural Range also have their own names, for example, the Bear Stone, reminiscent from afar of the gray back of a bear that flashed among the greenery of the trees. Climbers use a hundred-meter steep cliff for their training. Unfortunately, it is slowly falling apart. In the rock, archaeologists discovered a grotto in which there was a parking lot of ancient people.

Not far from Yekaterinburg, in the Visimsky Reserve, there is an outcrop of rock. An attentive eye will immediately discern in it the outlines of a man whose head is covered with a cap. It is called the Old Man Stone. If you climb to its top, you can admire the panorama of Nizhny Tagil.

Ural lakes.

Among the numerous lakes of the Ural Mountains, there is one that is not inferior in glory to Baikal. This is Lake Turgoyak, fed by radon sources. The water contains almost no mineral salts. Soft water has healing properties. People from all over Russia come here to improve their health.

If you appreciate the virgin beauty of mountain landscapes untouched by civilization, come to the Urals, to the Ural Mountains: this region will definitely give you a piece of its amazing atmosphere.

(the extended Priuralsky district belongs to the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug). In the Urals, as well as in the Cis-Urals and Trans-Urals, there are the Republic of Bashkortostan, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan, Orenburg regions, Udmurtia and Perm Krai, which make up the Ural economic region, the eastern parts of the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk region (Nenets Autonomous Okrug), included in the Northern economic region , and the western part of the Tyumen region, which is part of the West Siberian economic region. In Kazakhstan, Aktobe and Kostanay regions can be geographically assigned to the Urals. Sometimes, to designate the administrative-territorial units of the Russian Federation, one way or another related to the Urals, the concept is also used Big Ural. The administrative Ural Federal District of the Russian Federation (UrFO) includes Kurgan, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen and Chelyabinsk regions, KhMAO and YNAO. The administrative center of the Ural Federal District and the Sverdlovsk region, the city of Yekaterinburg is commonly called the "capital of the Urals" and "the capital of the Middle Urals".

Toponym origin

There are many versions of the origin of the toponym "Ural". An analysis of the language contacts of the first Russian settlers in the region indicates that the toponym, in all likelihood, was adopted from the Bashkir language. Indeed, of all the autochthonous peoples of the Urals, this name has existed since ancient times only among the Bashkirs, and is supported at the level of the language, legends and traditions of this people (epos "Ural-batyr"). Other indigenous peoples of the Urals (Khanty, Mansi, Udmurts, Komi) have other traditional names for the Ural Mountains, assimilating the name "Ural" only in the 19th-20th centuries from the Russian language. E. M. Murzaev reports that the Russians learned this name as Uraltau from the Bashkirs in the middle of the 16th century, passing it as Araltova or Oraltova Gora. Therefore, it is generally accepted that the name of the mountain is associated with the Turkic “aral” (island) or with “uralmak” (gird, enclose). He also reports that the Bashkirs called the Urals only the watershed ridge, even when it belonged to low mountains.

legends

"Ural" in Bashkir - belt. There is a Bashkir tale about a giant who wore a belt with deep pockets. He hid all his wealth in them. The belt was huge. Once a giant stretched it, and the belt lay across the whole earth, from the cold Kara Sea in the north to the sandy shores of the southern Caspian Sea. This is how the Ural Range was formed.

In Greek books written two thousand years ago, one can read about the distant "Riphean Mountains", where gloomy vultures guard countless golden treasures.

Climate

The climate of the Urals is typical mountainous; Precipitation is unevenly distributed not only over the regions, but also within each region. The West Siberian Plain is a territory with a harsh continental climate; in the meridional direction, its continentality increases much less sharply than in the Russian Plain. The climate of the mountainous regions of Western Siberia is less continental than the climate of the West Siberian Plain.

Within the same zone on the plains of the Cis-Urals and Trans-Urals, the natural conditions differ markedly. This is explained by the fact that the Ural Mountains serve as a kind of climatic barrier. To the west of them, more precipitation falls, the climate is more humid and mild; to the east, that is, beyond the Urals, there is less precipitation, the climate is drier, with pronounced continental features.

Fauna

Several centuries ago, the animal world was richer than it is now. Plowing, hunting, deforestation have displaced and destroyed the habitats of many animals. Wild horses, saigas, bustards, little bustards have disappeared. Herds of deer migrated deep into the tundra. But rodents (hamsters, field mice) spread on the plowed lands. In the north, you can meet the inhabitants of the tundra - reindeer, and in the south, typical inhabitants of the steppes - marmots, shrews, snakes and lizards. The forests are inhabited by predators: brown bears, wolves, wolverines, foxes, sables, ermines, lynxes. Ungulates (moose, deer, roe deer, etc.) and birds of various species are found in them, for example, such as eagles or bullfinches (in winter). Otters and beavers are found along the river valleys. Acclimatization of the sika deer was successfully carried out in the Ilmensky Reserve, and the muskrat, beaver, deer, muskrat, raccoon dog, American mink, Barguzin sable were also settled.

Flora

Differences in landscapes are noticeable when climbing. In the Southern Urals, for example, the path to the peaks of the largest Zigalga ridge begins with crossing a strip of hills and ravines at the foot, densely overgrown with shrubs and grasses. Then the road goes through pine, birch and aspen forests, among which grassy glades flash by. Spruces and firs rise above the palisade. Dead wood is almost invisible - it burns out during frequent forest fires. Swamps can be found on gently sloping places. The peaks are covered with stone placers, moss and grass. Rare and stunted firs, crooked birch trees that come across here do not in any way resemble the landscape at the foot, with multi-colored carpets of grasses and shrubs. Fires at high altitude are already powerless, so the path is constantly blocked by blockages of fallen trees. The top of Mount Yamantau (1640 m) is a relatively flat area, but it is almost impregnable due to the heap of old trunks.

Natural resources

Of the natural resources of the Urals, its mineral resources are of paramount importance. Back in the 16th century, deposits of rock salt and sandstone containing copper were known on the western outskirts of the Urals. In the 17th century, quite numerous iron deposits became known and ironworks appeared, with the construction of one of which the history of the "capital of the Urals" city of Yekaterinburg began.

Placers of gold and deposits of platinum were found in the mountains, and precious stones were found on the eastern slope. From generation to generation, the skill of searching for ore, smelting metal, making weapons and art products from it, and processing gems was passed on. Numerous deposits of high-quality iron ores are known in the Urals (Magnitnaya, High, Blagodat, Kachkanar mountains), copper ores (Mednogorsk, Karabash, Sibay, Guy), rare non-ferrous metals, gold, silver, platinum, the best bauxites in the country, rock and potassium salts (Solikamsk, Berezniki, Berezovskoye, Vazhenskoye, Ilyetskoye). There is oil in the Urals (Ishimbay), natural gas (Orenburg), coal, asbestos, precious and semi-precious stones.

The riches of the Ural nature also include forest resources. The Southern and Middle Urals provide the opportunity for agriculture.

Rivers and lakes

Region value

The Urals has long been the largest mining and metallurgical base of the Russian state. Active industrial development of the Urals began under Peter I, who in Yekaterinburg in 1886-1917. there was a monument as "the founder of the mining business in the Urals". The Ural "mining business" gave rise to a special socio-cultural community, which the famous writer-uralist Aleksey Ivanov called "mining civilization". " Gornozavodskoy Ural" - the modern name of the association of museums and cultural objects of Nizhny Tagil. The Urals as a resource base played a key role during the Second World War - this, in particular, reflects the modern official motto of the Sverdlovsk region - "The stronghold of the state" (a line from Tvardovsky's poem).

The hydropower potential of the Ural rivers is significant and not fully developed (the Pavlovskaya, Yumaguzinskaya, Shirokovskaya, Iriklinskaya and several small hydroelectric power stations operate).

Largest cities

The largest cities of the Urals (with a population of more than 250,000 people):

Ural in the art and culture of Russia

The contribution of the Urals to the art and culture of Russia is peculiar.

The foundation on which the arts and crafts of the Urals has grown is industry. Ural stone-cutting art is a unique kind of Russian arts and crafts. The Urals is the center of domestic industrial processing of marble. The Urals is also known for the industrial production of various cast-iron household items, as well as for its artistic casting (Kasli casting). At the beginning of the 18th century, cast-iron pots, boilers and cast-iron dampers for furnaces were cast at a plant in Yekaterinburg. Later, cast iron began to be used more widely, including in architecture and industry. The production of damask steel was revived, the metallurgy of alloy steels was born.

The most famous Ural writers are Sergey Aksakov, Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak and Pavel Bazhov (for the first time he performed a literary adaptation of the Ural tales: “Malachite Box”, “Stone Flower”, “Silver Hoof”, “Mistress of the Copper Mountain” and many others).

Ural artists also contributed to the art and culture of Russia, such as Alexei Denisov-Uralsky, Vitaly Volovich, Alexei Kazantsev, Misha Brusilovsky, Yuri Filonenko, Valeryan Bakharev, Gennady Mosin and many others.

At the beginning of the 21st century, documentary writer Alexei Ivanov, who studied at USU, created a series of works dedicated to the history and culture of the Urals. The main cycle of texts is called "The Ridge of Russia" (a metaphorical image of the Ural Mountains), on its basis, together with the famous journalist Leonid Parfyonov, a series of documentaries of the same name was created.

Ural in politics

The center of the Ural autonomism is the Sverdlovsk region. Here, since 1993, regional political movements have been constantly created: the Transfiguration of the Urals, "MAY", and since 2011 the Bazhov Society.

Write a review on the article "Ural"

Notes

Literature

• Arkhipova N. P., Yastrebov E. V.. - Chelyabinsk: South Ural book publishing house, 1982.
• Rychkov A.V.. - Dir: Malysh and Carlson, 2008. - 50 p. - 5000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-9900756-1-0.
• Murzaev E. M. Dictionary of popular geographical terms. 1st ed. - M., Thought, 1984.
• Murzaev E. M. Turkic geographical names. - M., Vost. lit., 1996.
• Aleshin B. M., Ivanov Yu. K., Kovalchuk A. I., Koroteev V. A., Prokin V. A.. - Yekaterinburg: Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1999. - 184 p.
• Ural // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M. : Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978.

An excerpt characterizing the Urals

“I told you,” Natasha answered, “that I have no will, how can you not understand this: I love him!”
“So I won’t let it happen, I’ll tell you,” Sonya cried out with bursting tears.
- What are you, for God's sake ... If you tell me, you are my enemy, - Natasha spoke. - You want my misfortune, you want us to be separated ...
Seeing Natasha's fear, Sonya burst into tears of shame and pity for her friend.
"But what happened between you?" she asked. - What did he tell you? Why doesn't he go to the house?
Natasha did not answer her question.
“For God’s sake, Sonya, don’t tell anyone, don’t torture me,” Natasha begged. “Remember not to interfere in such matters. I opened to you...
But what are these secrets for? Why doesn't he go to the house? Sonya asked. “Why doesn’t he directly seek your hand?” After all, Prince Andrei gave you complete freedom, if so; but I don't believe it. Natasha, have you thought about the secret reasons?
Natasha looked at Sonya with surprised eyes. Apparently, this question was presented to her for the first time and she did not know how to answer it.
For what reason, I don't know. But then there are reasons!
Sonya sighed and shook her head in disbelief.
“If there were reasons…” she began. But Natasha, guessing her doubts, interrupted her in fright.
“Sonya, you can’t doubt him, you can’t, you can’t, do you understand? she shouted.
- Does he love you?
- Does he love? Natasha repeated with a smile of regret at her friend's dullness. “You read the letter, did you see it?”
“But what if he is an ignoble person?”
"He! ... an ignoble person?" If you knew! Natasha said.
- If he is a noble person, then he must either declare his intention, or stop seeing you; and if you do not want to do this, then I will do it, I will write to him, I will tell him dad, ”Sonya said decisively.
- Yes, I can not live without him! Natasha screamed.
Natasha, I don't understand you. And what are you talking about! Remember your father, Nicolas.
“I don’t need anyone, I don’t love anyone but him. How dare you say he's ignoble? Don't you know that I love him? Natasha screamed. “Sonya, go away, I don’t want to quarrel with you, go away, for God’s sake go away: you see how I am tormented,” Natasha shouted angrily in a restrained, irritated and desperate voice. Sonya burst into tears and ran out of the room.
Natasha went up to the table and, without thinking for a minute, wrote that answer to Princess Mary, which she could not write all morning. In this letter, she briefly wrote to Princess Marya that all their misunderstandings were over, that, taking advantage of the generosity of Prince Andrei, who, when leaving, gave her freedom, she asks her to forget everything and forgive her if she is guilty before her, but that she cannot be his wife . All this seemed so easy, simple and clear to her at that moment.

On Friday, the Rostovs were supposed to go to the village, and on Wednesday the count went with the buyer to his suburban area.
On the day of the count's departure, Sonya and Natasha were invited to a big dinner at the Karagins, and Marya Dmitrievna took them. At this dinner, Natasha met Anatole again, and Sonya noticed that Natasha was talking to him, wanting not to be heard, and all the time of the dinner she was even more excited than before. When they returned home, Natasha was the first to start with Sonya the explanation that her friend was waiting for.
“Here you are, Sonya, talking all sorts of nonsense about him,” Natasha began in a meek voice, that voice that children speak when they want to be praised. “We talked to him today.
- Well, what, what? Well, what did he say? Natasha, how glad I am that you are not angry with me. Tell me everything, the whole truth. What did he say?
Natasha considered.
“Ah Sonya, if you knew him the way I do!” He said ... He asked me about how I promised Bolkonsky. He was glad that it was up to me to refuse him.
Sonya sighed sadly.
“But you didn’t refuse Bolkonsky,” she said.
“Maybe I didn’t!” Maybe it's all over with Bolkonsky. Why do you think so badly of me?
“I don’t think anything, I just don’t understand it ...
- Wait, Sonya, you will understand everything. See what kind of person he is. Don't think bad things about me or him.
“I don’t think bad things about anyone: I love everyone and feel sorry for everyone. But what am I to do?
Sonya did not give up on the gentle tone with which Natasha addressed her. The softer and more searching Natasha's expression was, the more serious and stern was Sonya's face.
“Natasha,” she said, “you asked me not to talk to you, I didn’t, now you yourself started. Natasha, I don't believe him. Why this secret?
- Again, again! Natasha interrupted.
- Natasha, I'm afraid for you.
- What to be afraid of?
“I am afraid that you will ruin yourself,” Sonya said decisively, herself frightened by what she said.
Natasha's face again expressed anger.
“And I will destroy, I will destroy, I will destroy myself as soon as possible. None of your business. Not to you, but to me it will be bad. Leave, leave me. I hate you.
- Natasha! Sonya called out in fear.
- I hate it, I hate it! And you are my enemy forever!
Natasha ran out of the room.
Natasha did not speak to Sonya anymore and avoided her. With the same expression of agitated surprise and criminality, she paced the rooms, taking up first this and then another occupation and immediately abandoning them.
No matter how hard it was for Sonya, she kept her eyes on her friend.
On the eve of the day on which the count was supposed to return, Sonya noticed that Natasha had been sitting all morning at the living room window, as if waiting for something and that she had made some kind of sign to the passing military man, whom Sonya mistook for Anatole.
Sonya began to observe her friend even more attentively and noticed that Natasha was in a strange and unnatural state all the time of lunch and evening (she answered inappropriately to questions put to her, began and did not finish phrases, laughed at everything).
After tea, Sonya saw a timid maid waiting for her at Natasha's door. She let it through, and, eavesdropping at the door, learned that the letter had again been handed over. And suddenly it became clear to Sonya that Natasha had some kind of terrible plan for this evening. Sonya knocked on her door. Natasha didn't let her in.
“She will run away with him! Sonya thought. She is capable of anything. To-day there was something particularly pathetic and resolute in her face. She burst into tears, saying goodbye to her uncle, Sonya recalled. Yes, that's right, she runs with him - but what should I do? thought Sonya, now recalling those signs that clearly proved why Natasha had some kind of terrible intention. "There is no count. What should I do, write to Kuragin, demanding an explanation from him? But who tells him to answer? Write to Pierre, as Prince Andrei asked in case of an accident? ... But maybe, in fact, she had already refused Bolkonsky (she sent a letter to Princess Marya yesterday). There are no uncles!” It seemed terrible to Sonya to tell Marya Dmitrievna, who believed so much in Natasha. But one way or another, Sonya thought, standing in a dark corridor: now or never the time has come to prove that I remember the good deeds of their family and love Nicolas. No, I won’t sleep for at least three nights, but I won’t leave this corridor and won’t let her in by force, and won’t let shame fall on their family, ”she thought.

Anatole recently moved to Dolokhov. The plan for the kidnapping of Rostova had already been thought out and prepared by Dolokhov for several days, and on the day when Sonya, having overheard Natasha at the door, decided to protect her, this plan was to be carried out. Natasha promised to go out to Kuragin on the back porch at ten o'clock in the evening. Kuragin was supposed to put her in a prepared troika and take her 60 miles from Moscow to the village of Kamenka, where a trimmed priest was prepared, who was supposed to marry them. In Kamenka, a set-up was ready, which was supposed to take them to the Varshavskaya road, and there they were supposed to ride abroad on postage.
Anatole had a passport, and a traveler's, and ten thousand money taken from his sister, and ten thousand borrowed through Dolokhov.
Two witnesses—Khvostikov, the former clerk whom Dolokhov and Makarin used to play, a retired hussar, a good-natured and weak man who had boundless love for Kuragin—were sitting in the first room at tea.
In Dolokhov's large office, decorated from wall to ceiling with Persian carpets, bearskins and weapons, Dolokhov sat in a traveling beshmet and boots in front of an open bureau, on which lay bills and wads of money. Anatole, in his unbuttoned uniform, walked from the room where the witnesses were sitting, through the study to the back room, where his French footman and others were packing the last things. Dolokhov counted money and wrote it down.
“Well,” he said, “Khvostikov should be given two thousand.
- Well, let me, - said Anatole.
- Makarka (that's what they called Makarina), this one disinterestedly for you through fire and into water. Well, the scores are over, - said Dolokhov, showing him a note. - So?
“Yes, of course, that’s how it is,” said Anatole, apparently not listening to Dolokhov and with a smile that did not leave his face, looking ahead of himself.
Dolokhov slammed the bureau shut and turned to Anatole with a mocking smile.
- And you know what - drop it all: there is still time! - he said.
- Fool! Anatole said. - Stop talking nonsense. If you only knew... The devil knows what it is!
“Damn right,” said Dolokhov. - I'm talking to you. Is this a joke you're up to?
- Well, again, teasing again? Went to hell! Huh?... – Anatole said with a frown. “The right is not up to your stupid jokes. And he left the room.
Dolokhov smiled contemptuously and condescendingly when Anatole left.
“Wait a minute,” he said after Anatole, “I’m not joking, I’m talking business, come, come here.
Anatole again entered the room and, trying to concentrate his attention, looked at Dolokhov, obviously involuntarily submitting to him.
- You listen to me, I'm telling you the last time. What should I joke with you? Did I cross you? Who arranged everything for you, who found the priest, who took the passport, who got the money? All I.
- Well, thank you. Do you think I'm not grateful to you? Anatole sighed and hugged Dolokhov.
- I helped you, but still I have to tell you the truth: the matter is dangerous and, if you take it apart, stupid. Well, you'll take her away, okay. Will they leave it like that? It turns out that you are married. After all, you will be brought to criminal court ...
– Ah! stupidity, stupidity! - Anatole spoke again, grimacing. “Because I told you. BUT? - And Anatole, with that special predilection (which stupid people have) for the conclusion that they reach with their own mind, repeated the reasoning that he repeated a hundred times to Dolokhov. “After all, I explained to you, I decided: if this marriage is invalid,” he said, bending his finger, “then I do not answer; Well, if it's real, it doesn't matter: no one abroad will know this, right? And don't talk, don't talk, don't talk!
- Right, come on! You only bind yourself...
“Go to hell,” said Anatole, and, holding his hair, went out into another room and immediately returned and sat down with his feet on an armchair close to Dolokhov. “The devil knows what it is!” BUT? Look how it beats! - He took Dolokhov's hand and put it to his heart. - Ah! quel pied, mon cher, quel regard! Une deesse!! [ABOUT! What a leg, my friend, what a look! Goddess!!] Huh?
Dolokhov, smiling coldly and shining with his beautiful, insolent eyes, looked at him, apparently wanting to still have some fun with him.
- Well, the money will come out, then what?
- What then? BUT? - Anatole repeated with sincere bewilderment at the thought of the future. - What then? There I don’t know what… Well, what nonsense to say! He looked at his watch. - It's time!
Anatole went into the back room.
– Well, will you soon? Dig in here! he shouted at the servants.
Dolokhov took away the money and, shouting to a man to order food and drink for the road, entered the room where Khvostikov and Makarin were sitting.
Anatole was lying in the study, leaning on his arm, on the sofa, smiling thoughtfully and softly whispering something to himself with his beautiful mouth.
- Go eat something. Well, have a drink! Dolokhov shouted to him from another room.
- Do not want! - Anatole answered, still smiling.
- Go, Balaga has arrived.
Anatole got up and went into the dining room. Balaga was a well-known troika driver who had known Dolokhov and Anatole for six years and served them with his troikas. More than once, when Anatole's regiment was stationed in Tver, he took him away from Tver in the evening, delivered him to Moscow by dawn, and took him away the next day at night. More than once he took Dolokhov away from the chase, more than once he drove them around the city with gypsies and ladies, as Balaga called. More than once, with their work, he crushed the people and cabbies around Moscow, and his gentlemen, as he called them, always rescued him. He drove more than one horse under them. More than once he was beaten by them, more than once they made him drunk with champagne and Madeira, which he loved, and he knew more than one thing behind each of them, which Siberia would have long deserved for an ordinary person. In their carousing, they often called Balaga, forced him to drink and dance with the gypsies, and more than one thousand of their money passed through his hands. In their service, he risked both his life and his skin twenty times a year, and in their work he overworked more horses than they overpaid him. But he loved them, he loved this crazy ride, at eighteen miles an hour, he loved to overturn a cab and crush a pedestrian in Moscow, and fly at full speed through Moscow streets. He loved to hear this wild cry of drunken voices behind him: “Let's go! gone!” while it was already impossible to go any faster; he liked to stretch painfully up the neck of the peasant, who, in any case, was neither dead nor alive, shunned him. "Real gentlemen!" he thought.
Anatole and Dolokhov also loved Balaga for his driving skills and for the fact that he loved the same thing as they did. Balaga dressed up with others, took twenty-five rubles for a two-hour ride, and with others he only occasionally went himself, and mostly sent his fellows. But with his masters, as he called them, he always rode himself and never demanded anything for his work. Only when he found out through the valets the time when there was money, he came in the morning sober once every few months and, bowing low, asked to help him out. It was always planted by the gentlemen.
“Release me, father Fyodor Ivanovich or your excellency,” he said. - I completely lost my horses, you can go to the fair, lend what you can.
Both Anatole and Dolokhov, when they were in money, gave him a thousand and two rubles each.
Balaga was fair-haired, with a red face and especially a red, thick neck, a squat, snub-nosed peasant, about twenty-seven, with small sparkling eyes and a small beard. He was dressed in a thin blue caftan lined with silk, worn over a sheepskin coat.
He crossed himself at the front corner and went up to Dolokhov, holding out his small black hand.
- Fyodor Ivanovich! he said, bowing.
- Good, brother. - Well, here he is.
“Hello, Your Excellency,” he said to Anatole, who was entering, and also held out his hand.
“I’m telling you, Balaga,” Anatole said, putting his hands on his shoulders, “do you love me or not?” BUT? Now serve the service ... On which ones did you come? BUT?
- As the ambassador ordered, on your animals, - said Balaga.
- Well, you hear, Balaga! Slaughter all three, and to arrive at three o'clock. BUT?
- How will you slaughter, what will we ride? Balaga said, winking.
- Well, I'll break your face, don't joke! - Anatole suddenly shouted, rolling his eyes.
“What a joke,” said the coachman, laughing. “Will I be sorry for my masters? What urine will ride horses, then we will go.
- BUT! Anatole said. - Well, sit down.
- Well, sit down! Dolokhov said.
- I'll wait, Fyodor Ivanovich.
“Sit down, lie, drink,” Anatole said and poured him a large glass of Madeira. The coachman's eyes lit up with wine. Refusing for the sake of decency, he drank and dried himself with a red silk handkerchief that lay in his hat.
- Well, when to go then, Your Excellency?
- Yes, here ... (Anatole looked at his watch) now and go. Look, Balaga. BUT? Are you up to speed?
- Yes, how is the departure - will he be happy, otherwise why not be in time? Balaga said. - Delivered to Tver, at seven o'clock they kept up. Do you remember, Your Excellency.
“You know, I once went from Tver to Christmas,” Anatole said with a smile of recollection, turning to Makarin, who looked with tender eyes at Kuragin. - Do you believe, Makarka, that it was breathtaking how we flew. We drove into the convoy, jumped over two carts. BUT?

The Ural Mountains are located on the territory of Kazakhstan and Russia, and are considered one of the oldest mountains in the world. This mountain system is a natural feature between Europe and Asia, conditionally divided into several parts:

• Polar Ural;
• Subpolar Urals;
• Northern Urals;
• Middle Ural;
• Southern Urals.

The highest mountain peak, Mt. Narodnaya, reached 1895 meters, earlier the mountain system was much higher, but eventually collapsed. The Ural Mountains cover a length of 2,500 kilometers. They are rich in various minerals and rocks, precious stones, platinum, gold and other minerals are mined.

Climatic conditions

The Ural Mountains are located in the zone of the continental and temperate continental climatic zone. The peculiarity of the mountain range is that the change of seasons occurs differently in the foothills and at an altitude of 900 meters, where winter comes earlier. The first snow falls here in September, and the cover lies almost all year round. Snow can cover mountain peaks even in the hottest month of summer - in July. The wind, walking in the open area, makes it even more severe. The temperature minimum in winter reaches -57 degrees Celsius, and the maximum in summer rises to +33 degrees.

Nature of the Ural Mountains

In the foothills there is a zone of taiga forests, but the forest-tundra begins higher. The highest elevations pass into the tundra. This is where the locals walk their deer. The nature here is amazing, various types of flora grow and magnificent landscapes open up. There are turbulent rivers and clear lakes, as well as mysterious caves. The most famous of them is Kungura, on the territory of which there are about 60 lakes and 50 grottoes.

Within the Ural Mountains is the Bazhovskie Mesto park. Here you can spend time in different ways: walking or cycling, riding or kayaking down the river.

In the mountains there is a reserve "Rezhevskoy". Here are deposits of gems and ornamental stones. A mountain river flows on the territory, on the banks of which there is a mystical stone Shaitan, and the indigenous people revere it. In one of the parks there is an ice fountain from which underground waters gush.

The Ural Mountains are a unique natural phenomenon. They are quite low in height, but they contain many interesting natural areas. In order to preserve the ecosystem of the mountains, several parks and a reserve have been organized here, which is a significant contribution to the conservation of the nature of our planet.

The Urals is a mountainous region rich in natural resources. Minerals such as coal, oil, nickel, gold, platinum, iron and copper ores, precious stones, etc. are common here. In addition, the Urals can boast of its forest and water resources and beautiful landscapes that attract travelers here. Let's take a closer look at where the Urals are located.

The geographical position of the Urals

The geographical region Ural is located on the Eurasian continent and is located between the East European and West Siberian plains. It is at the eastern foot of the Urals that the border between two parts of the world passes: Europe and Asia.

The Ural stretched from the Arctic Ocean to the Caspian lowland for 2.5 thousand km. The main part of the region is the Ural mountain system, which is 2 thousand km. It is customary to divide the Urals (from north to south) into the following parts:

• Pai-Khoi;
• Polar Ural;
• Subpolar Urals;
• Northern Urals;
• Middle Ural;
• Southern Urals;
• Mugodzhary.

The highest point of the Urals is located in the Subpolar Urals - Mount Narodnaya, 1895 m above sea level. Other highest points of the Urals include mountains: Payer (1499 m), Manaraga (1662 m), Telposiz (1617 m), Oslyanka (1119 m), Yamantau (1640 m).

Ural on the world map

In order to easily find the Urals on the map, you first need to find the South Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. To the south of it is the Yugorsky Peninsula - it is here that the northernmost region of the Urals is located - the Pai-Khoi ridge, then along the Ural mountain range it stretches to the territory of Kazakhstan and ends with the Mugodzhary mountains near the shores of the Aral Sea.