Katun Preserve
Encyclopedia
Katun State Nature Reserve is located in the Altai Republic
in Siberia
, along the border with Kazakhstan
. It was established on July 25, 1991. In 1998 Katun became part of the Golden Mountains of Altai
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia at 4506 meters (14,500 feet), is located in the preserve.
The reserve features 700 species of plants, 51 mammals, 140 of birds, three types of reptiles and eight fish species. Endangered species include the fawn lily (Erythronium sibericum), peony (Paeonia hybrida), spleenwort (Asplenium exiguum),and, rarely, the snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Ecosystems include glaciers, alpine tundra
, meadows, and forests. Much of the terrain has been formed through glaciation, and there are small lakes, streams, waterfalls, and steep slopes.
Altai Republic
Altai Republic is a federal subject of Russia . Its capital is the town of Gorno-Altaysk. The area of the republic is . Population: -Geography:...
in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, along the border with Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
. It was established on July 25, 1991. In 1998 Katun became part of the Golden Mountains of Altai
Golden Mountains of Altai
Golden Mountains of Altai is the name of an UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of the Altai and Katun Natural Reserves, Lake Teletskoye, Belukha Mountain, and the Ukok Plateau...
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mount Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia at 4506 meters (14,500 feet), is located in the preserve.
The reserve features 700 species of plants, 51 mammals, 140 of birds, three types of reptiles and eight fish species. Endangered species include the fawn lily (Erythronium sibericum), peony (Paeonia hybrida), spleenwort (Asplenium exiguum),and, rarely, the snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Ecosystems include glaciers, alpine tundra
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
, meadows, and forests. Much of the terrain has been formed through glaciation, and there are small lakes, streams, waterfalls, and steep slopes.
- Coordinates: 49°28' to 49°56'N; 85°37' to 86°34'E