PHYSICAL - GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ALTAI REGION

摘要

The Altai Mountains are characterized by their unique natural scenery and numerous cultural - archeological monuments. The interests in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of at least four countries, i.e. China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, are focused on that region. Whereas the contiguous territories of the four countries are similar in their demographic structure, ethnic composition, climatic conditions and socio-economic characteristics, they differ in terms of people's philosophy, legal frameworks, institutional structures, economic situation and activities in nature protection. The Altai Mountains are situated in the center of Eurasia at the frontier of two major natural zones of the northern hemisphere, i.e. the humid boreal and the arid desert-steppe zone. The mountain system forms the most elevated part of the North-Asian continental watershed separating the river runoffs of the Arctic Ocean basin and the Central-Asian internal drainage basins. The Altai is characterized by complicated geological and relief structures, various landscapes from taiga to deserts as well as diverse vegetation and wildlife.