Karatau Mountains
Kazakhstan Mountains Waterfalls and Peaks. Kazakhstan mountain districts

At Kazigurt foothills, near scenic rocks, from blowed sandstone, Nuch was believed to live with his children after flood. In all three rings is absolutely different taste of water. Near it medical establishment is built, because it is considered that rings water help for many diseases.

On the southern slope of Kazigurt is mysterious cross, made of stones. Its length is more than 100 meters, but one observe the cross only from the tops of neighboring slopes. See intists haven't still determined its origin.

The Karatau mountains themselves are one of the world's most interesting floristic regions.It i s the mountainous range and the north-west spur of Tien-Shan in South Kazakhstan.

It stretches in Talas Alatau and gradually lowing passes to Sarysu-Chu plane. The length is 420km. It is divided into Eastern or Malyi Karatau and South-West Karatau. The highest peak is Bessaz. The Eastern Karatau has a weakly winding and peaked surface.

The South-West Karatau is cut by the valleys and divided into some massifs. The valley of the Syrdariya river is to the south-west of Karatau, and the Talas river is to the north-east. Karatau has a big influence on weather and climate conditions of the closest areas.

Average temperature of January is -10° C. The difference between average January temperature on the north-east and south-west mountainsides of Karatau is -4-6° C, it is because of influence of the

warm mass of air from the south-west mountainsides.

Average annual sum of atmospheric precipitation at mountainside foothills is 200-400mm.

The quantity of atmospheric precipitation on the south-west mountainsides is 150-300mm more than on the north-east. The flora is mountainous-steppe. The rubber-bearing plant includes 35-40% of rubber. It grows nowhere in the country besides Karatau. The steppe mice, gopher, steppe polecat, badger, fox and others dwell here.

Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA and KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"