Ural Mountains

The Ural Mountains are a unique mountain system dividing the huge subcontinent of Eurasia into two parts – Europe and Asia. They originate in Russia from the coast of the Arctic Ocean and, stretching for more than 2500 km, end in the sultry deserts of neighboring Kazakhstan. The Ural Mountains cross our country from north to south, passing through five geographical zones.

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Video: Ural Mountains

Contents

Highlights

This mountain system itself, which not only separates the two continents but is the officially delineated cordon between them, belongs to Europe: the boundary 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 Oblasts, Perm Krai, Bashkortostan and the Komi Republic, as well as the Aktobe and Kustanai Oblasts of Kazakhstan.

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By its height, which does not exceed 1895 meters, the mountain system is much inferior to such giants as the Himalayas and Pamirs. For example, the peaks of the polar Urals are average in level – 600-800 meters, not to mention the fact that in terms of the width of the ridge they are also the narrowest. However, such geological characteristics have an undoubted advantage: they remain accessible to humans. And it is not so much about scientific research as about the tourist attractiveness of the places they run through. The landscape of the Ural Mountains is truly unique. Here crystal clear mountain streams and rivers start their run and grow into larger bodies of water. Such large rivers as the Ural, Kama, Pechora, Chusovaya and Belaya also flow here.

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A wide variety of recreational opportunities are open for tourists here: both for real extreme athletes and for beginners. And the Ural Mountains are also a true treasure trove of minerals. In addition to deposits of coal, natural gas and oil, there are mines where copper, nickel, chromium, titanium, gold, silver and platinum are mined. If we recall the tales of Pavel Bazhov, the Urals area is also rich in malachite. And also – emerald, diamond, crystal, amethyst, jasper and other gemstones.

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The atmosphere of the Ural Mountains, regardless of whether you visit the Northern or Southern Urals, the Subpolar or the Middle Urals, is inexpressible. And their majesty, beauty, harmony and the purest air charge with energy and positivity, inspire and, of course, leave vivid impressions for the rest of your life.

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History of the Ural Mountains

The Ural Mountains have been known since antiquity. In the extant sources they are associated with the Hyperborean and Riphean mountains. Thus, Ptolemy indicated that this mountain system consists of the Rimnus Mountains (the present-day Middle Urals), the Norosa Mountains (the Southern Urals) and the northern part – the Hyperborean Mountains proper. In the first written sources of the XI century AD, because of its great length, it was called no other than “Earth Belt.”

In the first Russian chronicles of the XI century AD it was called “Earth Belt”.

In the first Russian chronicle “Tale of Bygone Years”, which refers to the same XI century, the Ural Mountains were called by our compatriots Siberian, Belt or Big Stone. Under the name “Big Stone” they were put on the first map of the Russian state, also known as “Big Drawing”, published in the second half of the XVI century. Cartographers of those years depicted the Urals as a mountain belt, from which many rivers originate.

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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 widespread, is the borrowing of the name from the Bashkir language. According to many scientists, it 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” – it is not difficult to make sure that in them this toponym not only exists from ancient times, but is maintained from generation to generation.

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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 descend into numerous caves, swim in the waters of local lakes, get a portion of thrills while rafting on turbulent rivers. And how exactly to travel, each tourist chooses for himself. Some like independent hiking with a backpack over their shoulders, others prefer the more comfortable conditions of a tour bus or the cabin of a private car.

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No less diverse is the fauna of the “Earth Belt”. The predominant position in the local fauna is occupied by forest animals, the habitat of which is coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed forests. Thus, in coniferous forests squirrels live, the basis of their diet is spruce seeds, and in winter these cute animals with fluffy tails feed on pre-stocked pine nuts and dried mushrooms. Widespread in the local forests is the marten, whose existence is difficult to imagine without the already mentioned squirrel, which this predator hunts.

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But the real wealth of these places is a fur trade animal, the fame of which extends far beyond the region, for example, sable, which lives in the forests of the Northern Urals. It, however, differs from the dark Siberian sable by its less beautiful reddish-colored pelt. Uncontrolled hunting of this valuable furry animal is prohibited by law. Without this ban, it would probably have been completely destroyed by now.

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The taiga forests of the Ural Mountains are also home to the traditional Russian wolf, bear and elk. Roe deer are found in mixed forests. On the plains adjacent to the mountain massifs, the russak hare and the fox are at ease. We have not misspoken: they live on the plains, and the forest is just a shelter for them. 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 a far from negligible 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 belt. If you move from north to south along the perimeter of the mountain system, you can notice how the temperature indexes gradually increase, which is especially noticeable in summer. If in the north in the warm season the thermometer shows +10 to +12 degrees, in the south – from 20 to 22 degrees above zero. However, in winter the temperature between the north and the south does not differ so sharply. The average monthly temperature in January in the north is 20 degrees with a minus sign, in the south 16 to 18 degrees below zero.

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Air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean also have a noticeable influence on the climate of the Urals. And although as the atmospheric flows move from the west towards the Urals, the air becomes less humid, it is not 100% dry either. As a consequence, 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 fall under the power of the powerful Siberian anticyclone in winter, while in the south the weather in the cold season is low cloudy and cold.

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

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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 there are drawings made by ancient artists. The caves and the Big Failure are of great interest. The “Deer Streams” has quite a well-developed tourist infrastructure: special trails are equipped on the territory of the park, there are viewing platforms, not to mention places for rest. There are also rope crossings.

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If you are familiar with the works of writer Pavel Bazhov, his famous “Malachite Box”, then you will certainly be interested in visiting the nature park “Bazhov Places”. Opportunities for full-fledged rest and relaxation here are simply magnificent. You can walk as well as bicycle and horseback riding. Walking along specially designed and thought-out routes, you will see picturesque landscapes, climb the Markov Stone mountain and visit the Talcov Stone lake. Extreme travelers usually come here in summer to raft down mountain rivers in kayaks and canoes. Travelers come here in the winter as well, enjoying snowmobile rides.

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If you appreciate the natural beauty of semi-precious stones – exactly natural, not subjected to processing – be sure to visit the reserve “Rezhevskaya”, uniting deposits of not only precious, but also semi-precious and ornamental stones. It is forbidden to travel to the places of mining on your own – you must be accompanied by an employee of the reserve, but this in no way affects the impressions from what you have seen. The Rezh River flows through the territory of “Rezhevsky”, it was formed as a result of the confluence of the Big Sapa and Ayati – rivers that originate in the Ural Mountains. The Shaitan Stone, popular among travelers, is located on the right bank of the Rezh. Ural people consider this stone to be the center 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 the higher powers, does not dry up.

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Of course, the Urals magnetically attracts fans of extreme tourism, with pleasure visiting its caves, of which there are a huge number. The most famous are Shulgan-Tash, or Kapova, and Kungur ice cave. The length of the latter is almost 6 km, of which only one and a half kilometers are available to tourists. There are 50 grottoes, over 60 lakes and countless stalactites and stalagmites in the Kungur Ice Cave. The cave always keeps minus temperature, so for visits here dress as for a winter walk. The visual effect of the splendor of its interior is enhanced by special lighting. In the Kapova cave researchers discovered rock paintings, the age of which is estimated at 14 and more thousand years. About 200 works of ancient masters of brush became the property of our time, although there were probably more of them. Travelers can also admire the underground lakes and visit the grottoes, galleries and numerous halls located on three levels.

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While the caves of the Ural Mountains create a winter atmosphere at any time of the year, some attractions are better to visit just in winter. One of them is an ice fountain, which is located in the national park “Zyuratkul” and appeared thanks to the efforts of geologists who drilled a well in this place. Moreover, it is not just a fountain in our usual “urban” sense, but a fountain of underground water. With the onset of winter, it freezes and turns into a volumetric icicle of bizarre shape, impressive and its 14-meter height.

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Many Russians, in order to improve their health, go to foreign thermal springs, for example, in Czech Karlovy Vary or Gellert baths in Budapest. But why rush abroad when our native Urals is also rich in thermal springs? To undergo a full course of healing procedures, it is enough to come to Tyumen. Hot springs here are rich in microelements useful for human health, and the temperature of water in them varies from +36 to +45 degrees Celsius depending on the season. We would like to add that modern recreation centers are built on these springs. Mineral waters are also used for treatment in the health-improving complex “Ust-Kachka”, located not far from Perm and unique by the chemical composition of its waters. Summer recovery here can be combined with boating and catamarans, and in winter there are ice slides, skating rinks and full-fledged ski slopes.

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Despite the fact that for the Ural Mountains waterfalls are not so typical, but they are here and attract the attention of tourists. Among them we can highlight the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. It overflows fresh water from a height of more than 7 meters. Its other name is Ilyinsky, it is given by locals and visitors who consider this source holy. There is a waterfall near Yekaterinburg, named for its roaring “temper” Grohotun. Its peculiarity is that it is man-made. It throws its waters down from a height of more than 5 meters. When the summer heat sets in, visitors gladly become under its jets, cooling down and getting a hydromassage, and for free.

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Video: Southern Urals

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Major cities of the Urals

The million-strong Ekaterinburg, 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. It is a large industrial metropolis, especially enchanting in winter. It is generously covered with snow, under the blanket of which it resembles a giant who has fallen into a deep sleep, and you never know exactly when he will wake up. But when he sleeps, you can be sure that he will unfold to his full power.

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Ekaterinburg usually makes a strong impression on its guests – first of all, many architectural sights. Among them are the famous Temple-on-Blood, built 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, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records: there are only 9 kilometers for 7 stations.

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Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Tagil have also become widely known in Russia, primarily due to the popular comedy show “Our Russia”. The show’s beloved characters are, of course, fictional, but tourists still wonder where to find Ivan Dulin, the world’s first milling machine operator of non-traditional sexual orientation, and Vovan and Gena, hapless and drink-loving Russian tourists who constantly get into frankly tragicomic situations. One of Chelyabinsk’s business cards are two monuments: to Love, executed in the form of an iron tree, and to Lefty with a horseshoe flea. The panorama of local factories located above the Miass River is also impressive in the city. And 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 of the Hermitage.

Another Ural city that has become famous thanks to television is Perm. It is here that the “real patsans” live, who became the heroes of the eponymous series. Perm claims to be the next cultural capital of Russia and this idea is being actively lobbied for by designer Artemy Lebedev, who is working on the city’s appearance, and gallery owner Marat Gelman, who specializes in contemporary art.

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

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In Ufa, another Ural city, there is a symbolic sign “Zero Kilometer”. The local post office is the very point from which the distance to other points on our planet is counted. Another famous landmark of the capital of Bashkortostan is the Ufa bronze sign, which is a disk with a one and a half meter diameter and weighing a ton. And also in this city – at least, so assure the locals – is the highest equestrian statue on the European continent. It is a monument to Salavat Yulaev, who is also called the Bashkir Copper Horseman. The horse, on which this associate of Emelyan Pugachev sits, rises above the Belaya River.

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Ski resorts of 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, Bannoye and Abzakovo are the most famous of them. The first is located near the town of Trekhgorny, the last two – near Magnitogorsk. According to the results of the contest held as part of the International Ski Industry Congress, Abzakovo was recognized as the best ski resort in the Russian Federation in the 2005-2006 season.

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

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In addition to skiing, rafting down mountain rivers is very popular among travelers. Fans of such rafting, also increasing the level of adrenaline, go for a thrill in Miass, Magnitogorsk, Asha or Kropchaevo. However, to get to the destination quickly will not work, as you have to travel by train or by car.

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The resort season in the Urals lasts on average from October-November to April. During this period, another popular entertainment is riding snowmobiles and quad bikes. A special trampoline has even been installed in Zavyalikha, which has become one of the most popular tourist spots. Experienced athletes practice complex elements and tricks on it.

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How to get there

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

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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 has been possible to build several transportation routes leading to Siberia from Central Russia. In particular, it is possible to travel through the territory of this region along the famous railroad artery – the Trans-Siberian Railway.

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