Before . The length of the Ural Mountains from south to north is 2 thousand kilometers, and from west to east from 50 to 150 kilometers. In ancient times, the mountains of the Urals were called Riphean, and until the 18th century they were called “belt” (translated from Turkic, “Ural” means belt). Since ancient times, the Urals has been considered a natural border separating two parts of the world - and. Ural mountains relatively low: only a few peaks reach a height of 1.5 thousand meters above sea level, and the highest of them (Mount Narodnaya) is 1895 meters.

The area occupied by the Urals is close to 400,000 km2, and if we count all the foothills, then to 1,100,000 km2. The main ridge is lower than the parallel ridges accompanying it. The western slope of its canopy, and the eastern steep. On the western side is located most of the parallel ranges, with higher peaks in the south than main ridge. In many places, the Urals do not give the impression of a significant mountain range due to the gradual rise, especially if approached from the west. All along there is not a single peak with permanent snow, even in the far north. In relation to the Urals, it can be divided into several parts: Polar, Subpolar, Northern, Middle and Southern.

Slope Peoples. One of the highest points of the Ural Mountains

Polar Ural

The most Northern part The Urals consists of stony placers (rocks and remnants). The flora and fauna are quite scarce. Even mosses and lichens do not create a continuous cover. The most significant peaks are the mountains: Payer (1472 meters) and Konstantinov Kamen (492 meters).

Subpolar Urals

Northern Ural

The mountains here take on the character of a real range, quite high, rocky and completely treeless. Then the ridge takes a southwestern direction. Further to the southwest, the ridge narrows, and the slopes cover it. To the south is a mountain junction with one of the highest points of the entire Urals - Mount Telposiz (1617 meters). Further south, the heights of individual peaks drop to 1000 meters, and then even lower. In general, the average height of the Northern Urals is about 900 meters. Numerous rivers originate on its slopes, forming tributaries of the Pechora and Kama in the west, and the Ob in the east.

Ural mountains

Middle Ural

The Middle Urals starts from Mount Yurma, located at the source of the Ufa River. It, too, for the most part consists of two parallel ranges, the western one being lower, but forming a dividing line between Europe and Asia, and the eastern one being higher. Its most elevated peaks are as follows: Denezhkin stone (1492 meters), Konzhakovsky stone (1569 meters). Further south, the heights decrease, and the width of the ridge also becomes smaller. In the Ural region, in its northern part, it is low (nowhere does it exceed 700 meters), while its slopes here are very gentle. Further south, the ridge gradually rises (up to 850 meters). Numerous spurs (branches of the ridge) separate from the west, reaching as far as the Kama and the Volga River, while the eastern spurs quickly drop and merge with the West Siberian lowland.

Southern Urals

The southern part of the Urals consists of the main, but lower ridge and the parallel ridges accompanying it. The western slope of its canopy, and the eastern steep and precipitous. To the west of the main ridge there is a series of meridional ridges with a general direction from northeast to southwest. The highest point is Mount Yamantau (1640 meters). In general, the farther from the central part of the Ural ridge to the west, the lower the heights and the transition to the slightly undulating terrain of the Urals takes place very gradually. On the contrary, on the eastern side of the Urals already in short distance from it, the terrain almost completely loses its mountainous character and presents a completely flat surface. The rivers of this part of the Urals are different in nature, depending on which slope they originate from.

The Ural Mountains are located between various tectonic structures (the Russian Platform and the West Siberian Plate), which explains their formation. The Cis-Ural trough, consisting of sedimentary and continental climate Western Siberia. reach the western slope of the Urals, trying to overcome it, rise higher and cool. As a result, in the western part of the Urals, large quantity precipitation than in the eastern (about 1.5-2 times). The temperature regime also has its own characteristics. In the western part of the Urals, winters are more snowy and, accordingly, milder. In the east, snow falls less, and frosts reach 45-50°C.

Pretty in the Urals a large number of rivers, the largest of which flow from east to west. There are also about 6 thousand in this area.

Probably one of the most unusual landscapes in the Perm region is located in the city of Berezniki. A few steps back you were on the banks of the Kama, you were surrounded by a familiar forest. And suddenly the turquoise expanse of the tropical sea opens up in front of you, lazy waves rhythmically roll on the snow-white sand.

Places of extraordinary beauty lie in the north Perm Territory, near the city of Aleksandrovsk - whole country mountain lakes, with deep turquoise water. Surprisingly, these lakes are just man-made structures - old flooded limestone quarries.

Museum-reserve of wooden architecture, located on the high cape of the Kama River. Place for the museum open sky well chosen. The buildings harmoniously fit into the surrounding nature, the landscapes are very picturesque! In this article, you will learn about the history and each object of Khokhlovka.

Azov Mountain is the most popular natural attraction near the town of Polevskoy, in the homeland of Bazhov tales. The beauty of this place attracts many tourists. Various legends are associated with the mountain, and in 1940 an ancient treasure was found here...

The Teeth of Shurale - this is exactly what, at first glance, a strange name, the Bashkirs call the northern slope of the Karatash ridge, decorated with beautiful rocks. There is another, poetic name: "Eagle's Nest". Tourists prefer another name: Aigir rocks, after the name of the nearby railway station Aigir. And tourists are frequent guests here. In winter and summer, dozens and sometimes hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts go every weekend to conquer these beautiful rocks.

Alapaevsk narrow gauge railway (AUZhD) is the longest passenger narrow gauge railway in Russia with a gauge of 750 mm. Its opening took place in 1898. IN Soviet time the length reached 600 kilometers, now - 146 kilometers. Tourists often come to ride on the narrow gauge railway.

In the Perm Territory, 44 km north of the ancient merchant town of Kungur, there is the village of Serga. It is located in a picturesque area on the shore of the Sylvensky Bay. The main natural attraction in the vicinity of the village is the beautiful Andronovsky Grotto. From this article you will learn about the features of these places and what is worth seeing there.

These caves are located near the village of Arakaevo (Sverdlovsk region). One of them is the longest cave on the Serga River. Arakaevsky caves are located on the territory of the popular natural park "Deer Streams", however, in this (southern) part of the park there are still much fewer tourists than in its central part.

The Argazinskoye reservoir (or simply Argazi) is the largest reservoir in the Chelyabinsk region, created on the Miass River. The places here are very picturesque, interesting as their own. natural features, as well as history. Thanks to the transport accessibility, Argazi attracts numerous vacationers. I propose to get to know this attraction of the Southern Urals better, as well as admire the views from a bird's eye view.

Arkaim is one of the most famous sights of the Urals, which has the glory of an unusual, mysterious, even anomalous place. Every year many thousands of lovers of miracles from all over the country come here. In addition to tourists, you can meet many esotericists, psychics and other extraordinary people here.

The Balbanyu River is one of the most famous in the Subpolar Urals among water tourists. This small, but unusually interesting and picturesque river originates near Mount Narodnaya, the highest point of the entire Ural Range. By its name, which comes from the bizarre rocks located along the banks, Balbanyu is " sister» the now widely known Manpupuner-Bolvanoiz plateau.

Anyone who travels along the road from the city of Chusovoy towards Gubakha and Kizel (Perm Territory) pays attention to the fact that the dense taiga forest, after turning to Gremyachinsk, gives way to mountain crooked forests, and a view of the valley opens up through the gap Bolshaya Gremyachaya river...

IN early XVIII centuries, settlers from the village of Alapaihi founded a village here, which was named after the river that flowed into the Chusovaya, Kashka. Opposite the now former village rises the stone of Rain. Fascinated by the passage of the Kashkinsky bust, not all tourists pay attention to it. Meanwhile, this place is interesting and meaningful...

To the west of Yekaterinburg, the low Varnachi Mountains stretched. Of interest to them are the rocks encountered, as well as the legends associated with them. The maximum height of the mountains is 320 m. According to legend, robbers were active here in past centuries.

Verkholovskaya garnet mine (or simply Verkholovka) is located in Sverdlovsk region, near the villages of Palkino and Severka, to the west of the city of Yekaterinburg. It belongs to the Evgeny-Maximilianovsky mines, known since the 19th century.

Merry Mountains is a mountain range that stretches for 52 kilometers from north to south. Most of the Merry Mountains coincide with the main Ural watershed, here is the border between Europe and Asia. The great Ural writer D.N. often visited the Merry Mountains. Mamin-Siberian. In the past, the Old Believers hid from persecution here, religious processions were made to the holy graves.

In the Krasnoufimsky district of the Sverdlovsk region, several picturesque bridges - viaducts - were built at once on the railway line Moscow - Kazan - Yekaterinburg. One of the most beautiful viaducts is located near the village of Pudlingovy. He is over a century old.

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".

Is in the Urals natural Park"Bazhovskie Places", on the territory of which you can go hiking, horseback 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 time it turns into a bizarre icicle, reaching a height of 14 m.


Thermal springs of the Urals.

The Urals are rich and 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 microelements useful for 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, the services of vacationers are provided ski slopes, ice rinks and slides.

Waterfalls of the Urals.

For the Ural Mountains, waterfalls are not common, all the more interesting to visit near such natural wonder. 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, Bear Stone, reminiscent from afar of the gray back of a bear that flashed among the greenery of 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 Ural region stretched from the Arctic Ocean itself to Kazakhstan. It includes an ancient mountain system, located between two vast plains. What regions of the Urals exist? How do they differ, and what are their features? In our article you will find answers to these questions.

Regions of the Urals

The Ural mountain system is a natural border between two parts of the world - Europe and Asia. In length, it stretched for almost two thousand kilometers from the Kara Sea to the Kazakh steppes, in width - for 40-150 kilometers between the West Siberian and East European plains.

The Ural Mountains and the surrounding area are included in the geographic region of the same name. They are much older than the Alps, the Himalayas or the Carpathians and formed about 200 million years ago. That is why their height is not too high - the highest point reaches only 1895 meters.

The mountainous relief and great extent were reflected in the nature and climate of the Urals. It crosses two whole geographical zones - subarctic and temperate, and its conditions are not the same and change from north to south. Based on these differences, five regions of the Urals are distinguished:

  • Polar;
  • Circumpolar;
  • Northern;
  • Average;
  • Southern.

The Mugodzhary Range in the south and Pai-Khoi in the north are sometimes distinguished as separate regions.

The natural resources of the Urals are very diverse. There are many rivers and lakes, and the territory occupied by forests is second in size only to Siberia. Its minerals are of great economic value. In the bowels of the Urals there are deposits of oil and coal, asbestos, potash salt and copper ore world level. In addition, the region is rich in platinum, gold, silver, iron, bauxite, sandstone, precious and semi-precious stones.

This region is located in the very north of the Urals. It occupies approximately 25,000 km 2, located between Mount Konstantinov Kamen and the source of the Khulga River. The region is sparsely populated by people, yes, and tourists do not visit it often. Settlements are located mainly along the Northern Railway.

The Sob River is the main watershed of the region. To the north of it, the mountains go down and rarely exceed 200 meters. To the south, the ridge becomes narrower, and the transverse valleys cut into it more deeply, so the average height of the massifs reaches 1200 meters, and the highest point is Mount Payer - 1499 meters.

The climate of the Polar Urals is sharply continental subarctic. It is distinguished by the severity of winters, which last almost 8 months a year. In the mountains, they last longer than on the plains, but they flow a little softer. Yes, on high ridges the temperature reaches -40 °C, while in the foothills it can reach -55 °C. In winter, strong winds blow, there are blizzards and snowstorms. Snow melts from the mountains at the beginning of the calendar summer, but appears again in September.

Subpolar region

From the Khulga River to the top of Telposiz, the Subpolar Urals stretches. Its relief is more elevated, and the region itself is more explored and visited by travelers due to excellent transport links. You can get to it not only by train and plane, but also by water transport, which runs along the Ob, Khulga, Pechora and other local rivers.

Within its limits is the highest point of all the Ural Mountains - Narodnaya peak with a height of 1895 meters. Other peaks reach mostly between 900 and 1500 meters. The main feature of the mountains of the Subpolar Urals is their steep slopes and sharp forms, reminiscent of alpine ones. Many ridges run tourist routes and ski slopes.

In terms of precipitation, this is the wettest region, so there is enough snow for sports recreation. The western slopes are usually covered with snowdrifts up to a meter high, and the temperature drops to -17...-23 °C. It often rains from May to October. In the mountains, even at this time, it is not particularly hot, but on the plains the temperature can reach up to +35 ° C. In the warm season, people come here to fish, pick mushrooms and berries, go kayaking and just walk through the picturesque forests and mountain paths.

Northern Ural

The southern border of the Northern Urals runs to Kosvinsky and Konzhakovsky Kamen. If in the previous two regions the mountains are located slightly diagonally, turning to the west, then here they are oriented strictly from north to south. They are represented by several parallel ridges with smooth, almost flat tops.

The rivers of this region of the Urals begin low. On both sides the mountains are surrounded by impenetrable swamps, meadows covered with dense tall grass and taiga forests. There are many tracks and routes in the mountains of the Northern Urals. It was on one of them (Mount Holatchakhl) in 1959 that the mysterious tragedy of the Dyatlov group happened. The pass near the summit is named after the leader of the group of dead hikers.

The climate of the region is also sharply continental, but not as severe as in the Subpolar and Polar Urals. Its summers are hotter, winters are much milder and more even, without sudden changes in weather.

The Middle Urals extends up to Yurma Mountain. Its mountains are the lowest in the entire region; they go around the Ufa plateau, located in the west, in a smooth and large arc. Its mountains reach only 700-900 meters, the highest peak rises to 994 meters.

The Middle Urals is replete with rivers, natural lakes and artificial reservoirs. Its rivers belong to the Ob and Volga basins. They are characterized by a slow current and a low slope of the fall. In their valleys there are individual cliffs, many of which have become local attractions. Popular is the Maksimovsky stone, located on the Chusovaya River.

The local climate is affected by the winds Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic. The weather is very unstable and can change during the day. In summer and autumn, there are often rains, cold snaps and cloudy weather. In winter, there is a lot of snow, severe frosts are rare, but sometimes the temperature is -50.

The region stretches to the Mugodzhary ridge. It is higher than the Middle Urals, the highest point reaches 1640 meters. This is the widest part of the whole mountain system. There are no sharp peaks and too steep slopes, but there are many caves. In some of them, cave drawings and traces of primitive people were found.

The climate of the Southern Urals is characterized by snowstorms and snowstorms in winter, rains and severe thunderstorms in summer. In autumn there are lingering fogs, in spring - cold snaps and frosts. Winters are harsh but sunny days during this period a lot, but air masses The Atlantic periodically brings with it thaws and rains.

The Southern Urals is rich in lakes and various natural attractions. There are pilgrimage sites, mineral springs, as well as many interesting routes for horse riding, cycling and walking.

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 big rivers like the Urals, 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 coal deposits, 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 my 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 epic "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 thrills 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. IN mixed forests roe deer are encountered. 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, geographical position plays in this regard far from last role. 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 cold period year, 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 The Ural Mountains is the park "Deer Streams", 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 probably be interested in visiting nature park"Bazhov's Places". Opportunities for good rest and the relaxation here is 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 natural beauty semi-precious stones - exactly 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 coming to the stone with various requests to higher powers, does not run out.

Of course, the Urals attract like a magnet fans of extreme tourism, who are happy to visit its caves, which are here great amount. 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 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 an ice fountain, which is located in national park"Zyuratkul" 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 they are also treated in the health-improving complex "Ust-Kachka", 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. He overthrows fresh water from a height exceeding 7 m. Its other name is Ilyinsky, it was 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 installed summer heat, 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. deep sleep and you never know exactly when it 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 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. This is where they live cool guys", which 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 is working on appearance 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 Sergeevich 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: 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.

Whole placer ski resorts concentrated in the regions of the Middle and South Urals. Thrill-seekers and just curious tourists who want to try themselves in 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 sledges and snowboards.

Apart from 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, then the journey along railway takes 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.