The Ural Mountains is a unique mountain system that crosses the Russian Federation from the north and south. This place is considered a real treasure for any self-respecting tourist. He can absorb this unique flavor and Asian enthusiasm.
In fact, they are small in size, and the ridges are quite narrow. The landscape of the mountain ranges is unique. There are many sources of rivers that then flow into large bodies of water.
In these places you can see perfectly clear waters that rush along powerful mountain streams. Such famous rivers as the Urals, Pechora and many others flow here.
In this article we will consider 10 interesting facts about the Ural Mountains.
10. In Antiquity they were called the Riphean or Hyperborean mountains
In our time, it is known that in historical, as well as geographical and fiction literature, the opinion that in antiquity the ancient Greeks called the Ural mountains Riphean or Hyperborean. Let us turn to history as they described them.
Initially, all the same, myths contain descriptions of Hyperborea. Initial prefix "hyper" means "beyond anything"And the ending Northwind — «strong wind».
If you turn to the mythology of the Scandinavians "Boron" considered the father of the god Odin, as well as other gods. All this indicates a fairly close relationship with the culture of Hyperboreans.
In the description of the nature of Hyperborea there are also the Riphean mountains, in which strong, cold winds blow. It is dominated by dense fog and snow. This is one of the important climatic features.
Also, the fact that the Greeks called the mountains so is evidenced by one Welsh legend. It says that the famous king Arthur ended his life on the island of Avalon, which arose from the legend of Hyperborea. It was designated as a country of youth and health, eternal happiness, where all people live without sorrows and sorrows.
9. The oldest mountain range
Ural Mountains formed in a rather late Paleozoic era. And its formation began about three hundred and fifty million years ago. Almost all formations are ancient. From that moment, the mountain ranges were destroyed and were no longer updated.
8. The natural border between Europe and Asia
The Ural Mountains are located between the East European and West Siberian plains. It is worth noting that the mountains are located on the borders of two continents - Europe and Asia. But, for example, Vaigach Island and Novaya Zemlya continue to form a mountain range to the north.
7. Used to be much higher
The Ural Mountains are a rather unique phenomenon. For a long time they were considered the highest mountains on Earth, but a lot of time has passed since then.
It is worth noting that earlier, when they were still young, they were considered above even the Himalayan mountains. But due to the constant earthquakes, winds, it happened so that they became not so high.
Currently, the Ural Mountains cannot boast of height, with younger ones, for example, with the famous Elbrus. But, nevertheless, they are also unique and majestic. It's not just that travelers come here from all over the Earth. In these places they relax and just have a good time, enjoying the views and the clean mountain air.
6. Divided into 5 zones
Not many people know that The Ural Mountains are divided into five parts, that is, zones. Pai-Khot ridge - has low ridges, which are mostly in sea and glacial places of nearby plains. They wedge themselves into the waters of the Arctic Ocean.
In the second zone, the Polar and Subpolar Urals can be noted. They reach their maximum heights, about 1300 meters and above. Also in the relief there are sharp carling peaks with narrow ridges and wide trough valleys.
The Northern Urals differs from others in stone masses that rise above the low mountains. Here you can clearly trace the longitudinal ridges, which are located on the lower. The peaks are slightly flat and rounded, the slopes are covered with huge boulders.
Closer to the Arctic Circle, permafrost can be seen. Almost all the slopes and peaks in this zone are covered with stone collapses.
In the Middle Urals, a small failure has formed. There are only gentle hills that are about 800 meters high. The well-known plateau of the Urals passes through one of the main watersheds. Then it goes to Western Siberia.
The last fifth zone is considered to be the Southern Urals. Here the ridges are located in parallel, and the height of the peaks is about 1000 meters. It is worth noting that in this place the slopes are more gentle, but their outlines are a bit soft.
The highest point here is a mountain called Yamantau, which has a height of 1640 meters. Mountains are a karst landform, that is, where there are caves, craters and blind valleys.
The slopes are covered with powerful boulders. Thumps rise above them. Closer to the Arctic Circle is permafrost. On many slopes and peaks you can see the stone collapses, which are called - Kurums.
5. Affect the climate of nearby regions
The Ural Mountains are small in height, but, nevertheless, they affect the climate of the nearest regions. Air masses reach almost the slopes of the western Urals. They try to overcome them, and then rise higher and then cool.
It is as a result of this that large precipitation occurs. Also, the temperature regime has its own characteristics. For example, in the western part of the mountains, winters are snowy and mild, but in the East there is a lot of snow and frosts are around - 45 degrees.
In summer, there is low pressure, and this is due to the fact that air masses go directly from the seas. At such times, the weather is very hot and dry.
4. There are no volcanoes in the Urals
Not many people know that there are absolutely no volcanoes in the Urals. In fact, everything is explained very simply. Earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates. But the Ural Mountains have a more folded origin.
Mountains appeared as a result of a collision of ancient plates in the lithosphere. That is why it is believed that in the Urals there was a plate adhesion, which only aged and collapsed over time. There is no movement here, which means there can be no volcanoes either. But it is worth noting that for a long time, there were active volcanoes in this area.
3. “Zero territory”
Not many people know that Ural mountains have zero territory. Since this is not the West, but not the East. The relief is divided into two borders that run along the border of the Ural Range.
2. Rich in minerals
The Urals has always been shrouded in secrets and legends. There are also minerals that are deep in the bowels of this wonderful area. And this happened due to a rather complex geological structure, as well as high tectonic activity.
Ural mountains are full of rare metals and minerals.. And work on their extraction began a couple of centuries ago. Even during the reign of Peter the Great, this place was valued for its large reserves of stones.
If you look at the map of minerals, you can see that the whole Urals is replete with colorful zones, where there are huge deposits of precious metals.
1. Mount Narodnaya - the highest peak of the Urals
The highest peak in the Urals is a mountain called the People’s. Height is about 1895 meters. Interestingly, there are two ways to pronounce a word. In the first version, the emphasis is placed on the first syllable, since the mountain is located next to the People’s River (emphasis on a). And some argue that the second syllable.