- Nurgush Range, Southern Ural Mountains, Russia.
The eastern foothills of the Ural Mountains in Russia mark the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia. The Urals lack majestic peaks but are rich in minerals. The Urals are about 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) long. From the shores of the Kara Sea, which forms part of the Arctic Ocean, the mountains run south to the Ural River near Russia's border with Kazakhstan. The Urals are fairly narrow. From east to west the range is no more than 90 miles (145 kilometers) across. In some places the width is only 20 miles (32 kilometers). Physical featuresThe Urals were formed about 250 million years ago. Because they are so old, they are worn down. The highest peak is Mount Narodnaya, which rises 6,217 feet (1,895 meters) above sea level. This is less than half the height of Europe's highest peaks, which are in the Alps. The Urals may be divided into five sections. From north to south, they are the Polar Urals, the Nether-Polar Urals, the Northern Urals, the Central Urals, and the Southern Urals. The two northernmost sections have slopes that are strewn with glaciers. Mount Narodnaya is in the Nether-Polar section. In the Northern Urals, peaks rise to between 3,000 and 5,000 feet (900 and 1,500 meters). The lower Central Urals rarely exceed 1,600 feet (500 meters). The Southern Urals consist of several parallel ridges, reaching a height of 5,380 feet (1,640 meters) at Mount Yamantau. The western slopes of the Urals have many caves, basins, and underground streams, while the eastern slopes are rocky. The rivers flowing down from the Urals drain into either the Arctic Ocean to the north or the Caspian Sea to the southwest. Almost all of the rivers of the eastern slopes belong to the Ob River system, which empties into the Arctic. The Arctic is also the outlet of the Pechora River, which drains the northern parts of the western slope. Farther south on the western side, the Ural and Kama rivers carry water to the Caspian Sea. Many small lakes lie on both sides of the mountains. ClimateThe Ural region has a continental climate, meaning that temperatures vary widely in the course of a year. Winters are very cold. Average temperatures in the north sink from 50° F (10° C) in July to -6° F (-21° C) in January. In the south, the average temperatures are 72° F (22° C) in July and 5° F (-15° C) in January. The Urals are high enough to block winds that carry moisture from the west. As a result, the western slopes can receive 40 inches (102 centimeters) of precipitation per year while the eastern side receives as little as 12 inches (30 centimeters). Winter precipitation falls in the form of snow. Plants and animalsThe Urals pass through several zones marked by differing types of vegetation. The western slopes of the Southern Urals are mostly covered by forests. In these forests, broad-leaved trees such as oak, linden, and elm are mixed with cone-bearing trees such as fir and spruce. Pines grow on the eastern slopes. Farther north, trees such as larch, birch, and Siberian cedar are found. Treeless land known as tundra is found in the polar sections, particularly at high elevations. The tundra supports mosses and lichens. The Urals are home to the same kinds of animals that live in the surrounding lowlands. Arctic foxes, Ob lemmings, reindeer, brown bears, lynx, wolverines, and elk are among the area's mammals. Birds include snowy owls, tundra partridges, cuckoos, nightingales, orioles, and various members of the grouse family. Rodents and reptiles abound. The nelma (a species related to the whitefish), salmon, grayling, and sea trout swim in the rivers and lakes of the Northern Urals. PeopleRussians make up about four fifths of the population of the Urals. Most of them live in the Central and Southern Urals. Notable cities of the region include Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Perm, and Ufa. The native peoples of the Urals are the Nenets, the Komi, the Mansi, the Khanty, and the Bashkir. All but the Bashkir speak languages of the Uralic group, which also includes Hungarian and Finnish. They used to be wanderers who hunted, fished, and herded reindeer, but most are now settled. The Bashkir are excellent horse breeders. EconomyThe economy of the Urals depends largely on the region's rich mineral deposits. Iron ore, copper, chromium, and bauxite (the ore from which aluminum is made) are present in large quantities. The precious metals—gold, silver, and especially platinum—are also widespread. Gems such as topaz and emerald are mined as well. Energy resources include oil and coal. The vast forests of the Urals yield valuable wood. Much of the eastern steppe region in the Southern Urals has been cleared for farming. Grains and vegetables are grown. Study and explorationThe Russians reached the northernmost part of the Urals in the 11th century. Not until the beginning of the 17th century, however, were the region's mineral riches discovered. The first serious scientific study of the Urals was made in 1770–71. The English geologist Sir Roderick Murchison put together the first geologic map of the Urals in 1841. Environmental issuesMining, logging, farming, and population growth have altered the natural environment of the Urals. In an attempt to limit the environmental damage caused by people, the Russian government maintains protected areas called nature reserves. |