Where is the Urals located? Ural Mountains, Urals What applies to the Urals

Region meaning

The Urals have long amazed and amazes researchers with the abundance of minerals and its main wealth - minerals. Under the ground of the Ural Mountains there are iron and copper ores, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, coal, oil, gold, and precious stones. The Urals have long been the largest mining and metallurgical base of the entire country. Forest resources are also among the riches of nature. The Southern and Middle Urals provide agricultural opportunities.

This natural region is one of the most important for the life of Russia and Russians.

Features of nature

The hydropower potential of the Ural rivers (Pavlovskaya, Yumaguzinskaya, Shirokovskaya, Iriklinskaya and several small hydroelectric power stations) remains a far from fully developed resource.

Rivers and lakes

The rivers belong to the basins of the Arctic Ocean (on the western slope - Pechora with Usa, on the eastern slope - Tobol, Iset, Tura, Lozva, Northern Sosva, belonging to the Ob system) and the Caspian Sea (Kama with Chusovaya and Belaya; the Ural River). The rivers of the western slope, especially in the Northern and Subpolar Urals, are fuller; They are characterized by high and long-lasting (up to 2-3 months) floods in May-June (in the Subpolar Urals - in June-July), often turning into high summer floods associated with heavy rains in the mountains. The rivers on the eastern slope of the Southern Urals have the lowest water content (some of them dry up in the summer). The duration of freeze-up increases from 5 months in the Southern Urals to 7 in the Subpolar and Polar Urals. The rivers are fed mainly by snow and rain. The largest lakes are located on the eastern slope of the Middle and Southern Urals (Tavatuy, Argazi, Uvildy, Turgoyak, etc.; the deepest lake up to 136 m is Bolshoye Shchuchye). There are small glacial lakes in the Polar Urals, and karst lakes on the western slope of the Middle Urals. The rivers and lakes of the Urals are of great economic importance (sources of water supply to settlements and industrial enterprises) and transport significance (the Kama, Belaya, Chusovaya rivers - in the lower reaches); many rivers are used for timber rafting. The Kama and Votkinsk reservoirs were created on the Kama.

Types of landscapes, their flora and fauna

Changes in climatic conditions from north to south and the nature of the relief, especially the presence of heights of more than 1500 m, are reflected in the change in natural landscapes both in the latitudinal direction (zonation) and in the vertical direction (zonality); the change in altitudinal zones is more pronounced than the transitions between zones. In the Urals there are steppe, forest and alpine landscapes.

Steppe landscapes are widespread in the Southern Urals, especially widely on its eastern slope and on the peneplain foothills. There are meadow, forb-turf-grass, turf-grass, and rocky steppes. Meadow steppes on ordinary and leached chernozems are developed in the forest-steppe zone and in the lower parts of mountain slopes. Various herbs grow here: six-petalled meadowsweet, Gmelin's sickleweed, middle and mountain clover, grasses - meadow bluegrass, awnless brome, etc. The grass stand is closed and reaches a height of 60-80 cm. Many areas are plowed. Meadow steppes to the south are gradually replaced by forb-turf-grass steppes; they are developed on rich chernozems (in the north), and in more southern regions - on ordinary and medium chernozems. They are most characterized by turf grasses, and to the south, due to increasing dryness, forbs become less typical. In the grass stand there are feather grass (narrow-leaved, Ioanna), fescue, tyrsa; of forbs - six-petalled meadowsweet, mountain clover, burnet, etc. The grass stand is lower than in the meadow steppes, and in the southern direction it becomes more sparse. Soddy-grass steppes predominate in the southernmost, driest regions, on southern, locally saline chernozems, as well as on chestnut soils. Feather grass, fescue, and slender-legged graceful are typical; there is a small admixture of forbs, poor in species composition. The grass stand is low and very sparse. The steep, gravelly slopes of the mountains and hills of the eastern slope of the Southern Urals are usually covered with rocky steppes. Willows, sedge, and shrubby caragana grow in places along the valleys of steppe rivers. The steppes are inhabited mainly by rodents (gophers, jerboas), brown hare; Birds include the steppe kestrel, buzzard, and bustards are preserved here and there.

The forest landscapes of the Urals are the most diverse. Dark-coniferous mountain-taiga forests predominate on the western slope (in the Southern Urals, in some places, mixed and broad-leaved forests), on the eastern slope - light-coniferous mountain-taiga forests. The forests of the Southern Urals are the most diverse in tree stand composition; here on the eastern slope at an altitude of 500-600 m, the mountain steppes are replaced mainly by light-coniferous, in some places steppe forests of Scots pine, less often Sukachev larch; In some places there is a lot of birch. The more humid western foothills of the Southern Urals are covered mainly with mixed forests on mountain forest gray soils, giving way to leached, podzolized and typical chernozems to the west. Broad-leaved trees include common oak, Norway maple, small-leaved linden, elm, and elm; from conifers – Siberian fir, Siberian spruce. In some places, broad-leaved forests remain; the undergrowth is varied (common hazel, brittle buckthorn). The forests have thick grass cover. At an altitude of 500-600 m on the western slope of the Southern Urals, dark coniferous forests predominate, above 1200-1250 m - char with areas of mountain tundra, stone placers, and rocky outcrops.

On the western and eastern slopes of the Middle Urals, forest landscapes are also different. On the western slope there are dark coniferous southern taiga forests of spruce and Siberian fir, in places there are linden, maple, elm, and hazel and honeysuckle in the undergrowth. In the Middle Urals there are natural forest-steppe areas (Kungurskaya, Krasnoufimskaya and other forest-steppes), including small birch groves. On the eastern slope of the Middle Urals there are many pine forests, and on the peneplain foothills (especially in the basin of the Pyshma and Iset rivers) large areas are occupied by birch and aspen forests. Dark coniferous forests on the eastern slope are less common. In depressions, sphagnum and hypnum-grass bogs are common. The forest landscapes of the Middle and Southern Urals are greatly changed by human economic activity.

The forests of the more northern regions of the Urals are better preserved. On the western slope of the Northern Urals, up to an altitude of 800-900 m, mid-taiga forests of Siberian spruce, less often Siberian fir and Siberian cedar on slightly podzolic soils dominate; the undergrowth is poorly developed or completely absent. Moss cover with a predominance of green mosses is widespread, and berries (blueberries, cloudberries, black crowberries) are also found. There are pine forests on the alluvial terraces of the Kama and Pechora. On the eastern, drier slope of the Northern Urals, large areas are occupied by pine and larch forests.

In the Subpolar and Polar Urals, due to an increase in climate severity, the upper limit of the forest belt decreases to 400-250 m. Local mountain northern taiga forests are quite monotonous and consist mainly of Siberian spruce (on the western slope) and pine, Sukachev larch and Siberian larch (on eastern slope). Low growth and sparse forest cover are typical, especially at the upper border of the forest belt. Here, during the transition to the loaches, dwarf birch are common. The forests are very swampy in places; Sphagnum bogs predominate.

Animals living in the forests of the Urals, in terms of species, do not differ from those that inhabit the adjacent plains: elk, brown bear, fox, wolverine, lynx, sable (in the north). Only in the Middle Urals is there a cross between sable and pine marten - kidus. Badgers and black ferrets are not uncommon in the forests of the Southern Urals. Reptiles and amphibians live mainly in the Southern and Middle Urals and are represented by the common viper, grass snake, viviparous lizard, etc.; Among the birds there are: capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, nutcracker, common and deaf cuckoos, etc. In summer, songbirds (nightingale, redstart, etc.) fly to the Southern and Middle Urals.

Above the forest belt there are char landscapes. They are especially widespread in the Polar, Subpolar and Northern Urals. On the loaches of the western, more humid slope, moss tundras are more common, and on the loaches of the eastern slope - lichen tundras; There are many sphagnum bogs in the depressions. Among the animals that live in the tundra of the Urals: arctic fox, Ob lemming; Birds include the ruffed buzzard, snowy owl, and tundra partridge. The tundras of the Urals have good summer reindeer pastures. In the northernmost regions of the Urals, alpine deserts are also widely developed, almost devoid of vegetation (there are crustose lichens). There is an abundance of stone placers and rocky outcrops formed during intense frost weathering.

Story

Legend

“Ural” in Bashkir means belt. There is a Bashkir tale about a giant who wore a belt with deep pockets. He hid all his wealth in them. The belt was huge. One day the giant stretched it, and the belt lay across the entire earth, from the cold Kara Sea in the north to the sandy shores of the southern Caspian Sea. This is how the Ural ridge was formed.

In Greek books written two thousand years ago, you can read about the distant “Riphean Mountains”, where gloomy vultures guard countless golden treasures.

Primitive communal system in the Urals

The first people appeared in the Urals at the end of the Early Paleolithic (about 75 thousand years ago). A number of sites have been discovered from the Late Paleolithic (35-10 thousand years ago) (Kapova Cave). During the Neolithic period, related tribes formed in the Urals, among which, apparently, the foundations of the Finno-Ugric linguistic community and a mixed (Mongoloid-Caucasian) anthropological type were formed; In the southern regions, cattle breeding and hoe farming began. At the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. e. Copper and bronze production emerges in the Urals. The main archaeological cultures of the Bronze Age: Abashevskaya, Andronovo, Balanovskaya, Gorbunovskaya, Srubnaya, Turbino. In the 8th-7th centuries. BC e. the tribes of the Urals mastered the technique of obtaining iron. Large tribal alliances were formed. In the steppes of the Southern Urals lived the Sarmatians, in the forest-steppe Urals - tribes of the Kara-Abyzov culture, in the Kama region - tribes of the Ananyin culture, on the basis of which the Pyanobor, Osinsk and Glyadenovsk cultures developed. From the 3rd century. n. e. Large movements of the ancient population took place on the territory of the Urals. New archaeological cultures appeared: Lomovatovskaya, Polomskaya, Bakhmutinskaya, Imenkovskaya, Turaevskaya, Chepetskaya, etc. The population of the Urals had exchange ties with Central Asia, Iran, and Byzantium.

The Urals during the period of feudalism

At the beginning of the 1st millennium AD. The decomposition of the primitive communal system began in the Urals. The formation of feudal relations proceeded faster among the ancestors of the Komi-Permyaks, Udmurts and Bashkirs, and more slowly among the Khanty and Mansi. The process of feudalization was accelerated by the influence of neighboring feudal states - Volga-Kama Bulgaria and the Russian principalities. In the 14th century The early feudal state association Perm the Great developed among the Komi-Permyaks in the 15th century. among the Mansi tribes - Pelym.

In the 11th century Russian penetration into the Urals began. In the Northern Urals in the 14th century. squads of Novgorod ushkuiniks appeared. The Yugra land, and then Perm, became volosts of the Novgorod feudal republic, and an influx of Russian settlers began into these lands. At the beginning of the 15th century. Russian settlements arise on the upper Kama (Anfalovsky town, Sol-Kamskaya). In 1471, the possessions of Novgorod in the Urals went to the Moscow state, which became part of the state at the end of the 15th century. included the Upper Kama region and part of the Udmurt lands. After the defeat of the Kazan Khanate by the Russian state in 1552, most of Bashkiria and the rest of the Kama Udmurtia voluntarily became part of Russia. Russian settlements arose: Ufa, Sarapul, etc. In the Kama region, the possessions of the Stroganovs were formed, who organized a campaign of a detachment of Cossacks led by Ermak in the Trans-Urals, where at the end of the 16th century. Russian fortresses arose - Lozvinsky town, Pelym, Verkhoturye, etc. Since the 11th century. Russians called the northern part of the Urals - Stone, less often - Belt. In the mid-16th - early 17th centuries. The Bashkir name “Ural” came into use, initially in relation to the southern regions. It is possible that it came from the Turkic “aral” - island. This is how the Turks call any territory that differs in some way from the surrounding area. The Bashkirs have had it since the 13th century. There is a legend about the Urals - a batyr (hero), who sacrificed his life for the happiness of his people, and people built a mound over his grave, from which the Uraoa Mountains grew. By the end of the 17th century. The Russians extended the Bashkir name “Ural” to the entire mountain system.

In the 17th century Russians settled the lands of the Southern and Middle Urals and the Urals, founding the city of Kungur, the settlement of New Usolye, the Trans-Ural settlements of Irbitskaya, Shchadrinskaya, Kamyshlovskaya, and others. Russian settlers brought more developed agricultural technology and crafts to the local population of the Urals. The colonization of the Urals contributed to the cessation of internecine military clashes among the peoples of the Urals and the formation of feudal relations among them, which developed in the 16th and 17th centuries. But at the same time it led to increased national and social oppression of non-Russian peoples. Mansi, Khanty, Bashkirs were taxed with yasak. A significant part of the Komi-Permyaks and Udmurts became dependent on the Stroganovs and other Russian feudal lords. In the 16th-17th centuries. Agriculture developed significantly in the Urals, grain-producing regions emerged that supplied local markets. Most of the cultivated land was owned by black-plowed peasants; landowner plowing was insignificant. Crafts developed, a number of its branches turned into small-scale production (woodworking, leatherworking, pottery, blacksmithing, etc.). The salt-making industry acquired national importance (Lenva, Solikamsk, Novoye Usolye).

In the 17th century Many mineral deposits (iron, copper and other ores) were discovered in the Urals. The metal from the Ural ores was of high quality. By the middle of the 17th century. The first iron and copper smelters appeared. The Russian government paid attention to the Urals as an important raw material base. At the beginning of the 18th century. In the Urals, widespread factory construction began, caused by the development needs of the Russian state and its military needs. First, state-owned factories were founded: in 1701 - Nevyansky (from 1702 - private) and Kamensky, in 1723 - Yekaterinburg and Yagoshikhinsky (near Perm). Then private factories arose (Demidovs and others). For the organization and development of the mining industry of the Urals at the beginning of the 18th century. V.N. did a lot Tatishchev and V.I. Gennin. In the 1st half of the 18th century. 63 metallurgical plants were built in the Urals in the 50-60s. 67 more enterprises emerged. The Urals became the largest mining region in Russia. In the 50s 18th century Most state-owned factories passed into private ownership. Ural factories of the 18th century. were manufactories, they widely exploited the labor of serfs and assigned peasants. In connection with factory construction, new cities arose (Ekaterinburg; Perm, etc.). The mining state industry of the Urals was managed since 1719 by the Office of Mining Affairs, and since 1734 by the Office of the Main Board of the Factories. In 1807, a system of mining districts was created, headed by the Mining Administration in Perm (until 1830), then in Yekaterinburg. In 1708, the territory of the Urals became part of the Siberian and Kazan provinces. After a series of transformations, the territory of the Urals was divided into Perm and Orenburg provinces in 1796, and in 1865 the Ufa province was formed. At the beginning of the 19th century. In the conditions of the crisis of the feudal-serf system in Russia in the Urals, the rate of production growth sharply decreased, factory construction decreased, and the productivity of serf labor fell. The industrial revolution proceeded very slowly in the Urals. In the 1st half of the 19th century. Only the gold mining industry developed rapidly here. The largest industrial, trade and craft centers in the Urals were Perm, Yekaterinburg, Orenburg, Ufa, Kungur and Irbit, which hosted the most significant fair in the Urals. Along the Kama since the 40s. steamship service began.

The Urals during the period of capitalism (2nd half of the 19th century) and imperialism (1900-17)

As a result of the Peasant Reform of 1861, the mining peasants of the Urals lost 54% of the land that had previously been in their use, and the average per capita plots decreased from 2.8 to 1.2 dessiatines. The development of capitalism in the Urals was hampered by significant remnants of serfdom in the countryside and the mining industry (preservation of landowners' latifundia, labor, etc.). In the 2nd half of the 19th century. the first joint-stock companies appeared, incl. with the participation of foreign capital. A number of old metallurgical plants were reconstructed and several new ones were built. The gold and platinum industries, coal mining (Kizelovsky basin), mechanical engineering (Ekaterinburg Mechanical Factory, Motovilikhinsky in Perm, Izhevsky, Votkinsk and other plants), chemical industry (Bereznikovsky Soda Plant) developed. But in general, the mining industry of the Urals at the end of the 19th century. was in decline, especially the old metallurgical plants that used water energy. The Urals lost their importance as the main metallurgical region of the country, giving way to the South of Russia. In the 2nd half of the 19th century. The urban population grew rapidly. Industrial centers developed that were not yet officially cities (Nizhny Tagil, Votkinsk, Zlatoust, etc.). The following railways were built: Samara-Orenburg (1876), Gornozavodskaya (1878), Ekaterinburg-Tyumen (1885), Samara-Ufa-Zlatoust-Chelyabinsk (1892), Ekaterinburg-Chelyabinsk (1896). ). At the end of the 19th century. there were over 300 thousand industrial and railway workers in the Urals. Part of the proletariat (mining plant workers) participated in the struggle for land, for more favorable conditions for using land, etc. However, the basis of the labor movement was the struggle against capitalist exploitation; since the 70s One of its main forms is an economic strike with political demands. In the 70s There were several groups of revolutionary populists in the Urals. In the 2nd half of the 90s. Social Democratic organizations arose in Ufa (1895), Chelyabinsk (Ural Workers' Union, 1896), Yekaterinburg (1897), Perm (1898) and other cities. At the beginning of the 20th century. Social Democratic committees were created (in 1902 - in Perm; in 1903 - in Ufa, Sredneuralsky - in Yekaterinburg). In 1904, at a conference in Nizhny Tagil, the Ural Regional Committee of the RSDLP was created. The workers of the Urals actively participated in the Revolution of 1905-07, the Bolsheviks were led by Ya.M. Sverdlov and Artyom (F.A. Sergeev). 1st World War 1914-18 had a serious impact on the national economy of both Russia and the Urals. After some revival of military production, by the end of 1916, an industrial crisis began in the Urals, accompanied by a shortage of fuel, devastation in transport, a reduction in agricultural production and a deterioration in the situation of workers. After the February Revolution of 1917, Soviets were created everywhere in the Urals. The Bolsheviks emerged from underground, their numbers grew (827 people by the beginning of March, over 10 thousand in April). In April 1917, the 1st Ural (free) conference of the RSDLP (b), led by Sverdlov, took place in Yekaterinburg.

The Urals during the October Revolution and Civil War (1917-19), during the years of socialist construction (1920-41) and during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45.

Soviet power in the Urals was established mainly in October-December 1917: October 26 (November 8) - in Yekaterinburg and Ufa, October 27 (November 9) - in Izhevsk and many other cities, November 23 (December 6) - in Perm. In a number of places, due to resistance to the counter-revolution and the treacherous tactics of the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries, the struggle for Soviet power continued at the beginning of 1918 (Solikamsk, Cherdyn, Votkinsk, Zlatoust, etc.). In Orenburg, Soviet power was established after the defeat of the Dutov rebellion on January 18 (31), 1918. In May, the rebellion of the Czechoslovak corps in 1918 began, which also captured part of the Urals. In the summer, local counter-revolutionary uprisings took place - Izhevsk-Votkinsk and others. Since November 1918, a counter-revolutionary regime was established in the Urals - Kolchakism. In May 1919, Soviet troops went on the offensive and by the fall they had largely liberated the territory of the Urals. In March 1919, the Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed, in November 1920 - the Votsk Autonomous Okrug (from 1934 - the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic), in 1923 - the Ural Region, within which the Komi-Permyak National District was created in 1925 .

After the end of the Civil War in the Urals, the restoration of the national economy began. In 1920-21 the volume of industrial production in the Urals was 12% of the level of 1913, in 1925-26. - already 93%. During the years of the 1st and 2nd Five-Year Plans, many new large industrial enterprises were built in the Urals; among them are the industry giants Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Plant (1932) and Berezniki Chemical Plant (1932); Ural Heavy Engineering Plant in Sverdlovsk (1933), Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant (1933) and Solikamsk Potash Plant (1934), Krasnokamsk Pulp and Paper Mill (1936), etc. The Ural-Kuznetsk Combine was created. In 1929, oil was discovered in the Kama region, and in 1932 its production began in Bashkiria. The gross output of large-scale industry in the Urals in 1937 increased almost 7 times compared to 1913. In the 3rd Five-Year Plan, the Novotagil Metallurgical, Ural Aluminum, Ural Carriage Building and other plants came into operation.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. The Urals became the main arsenal of the country and the most important base for the location of industrial enterprises evacuated from the western regions of the USSR. During the first 5 months of the war, 667 enterprises were transferred to the Urals. By the end of 1941, the Urals provided 62% of cast iron, about 50% of steel and rolled products of all production in the USSR. In 1943, the gross output of Ural factories exceeded the 1941 level by 3 times, the production of military products - by 6 times. During the war years, the Urals accounted for up to 40% of the total production of the country's military industry, and the annual increase in production was 50%. Three factories in the Urals provided 2/3 of the production of tanks and self-propelled artillery units. Many aircraft, guns, small arms, ammunition, etc. were produced in the Urals. Several divisions and the Ural Volunteer Tank Corps were formed from the working people of the Urals. More than 800 residents of the Urals became Heroes of the Soviet Union, 8 people twice. In 1946, the industry of the Urals was transferred to the production of civilian products.

One of the most famous sights of the Urals. This unique geological natural monument is located in the Perm region. It is no coincidence that more than 90 thousand inquisitive guests visit the cave every year, because none of its Russian “sisters” has such a rich history. In addition, the route through the Kungur Cave is considered one of the most convenient “cave routes” in our country. Electricity was installed along the entire length, paths were laid, and vaults were reinforced for safety purposes. In winter, intricate ice formations - stalactites and stalagmites - form here. In order to see these bizarre creations of nature, it is best to visit the Kungur Cave in February or March.

2. Ilmensky Reserve

The richest "mineral box" in the world. This territory is rightly called the ecological heritage of our country; the reserve is on the list of the five most significant tourist places in Russia. He received this honor because over two hundred varieties of minerals, many of which are quite rare, were collected in a fairly small area of ​​the complex.

Landscape and historical reserve located in the Chelyabinsk region. Remains of one of the most ancient civilizations of Eurasia. The rarest species of plants and animals have been preserved within the boundaries of the reserve. Every year more than 30 thousand tourists come here to look at archaeological monuments, as well as climb the Mountain of Love and the Mountain of Reason.

4. National parks

In the territory of this park, invaluable ecological systems have been preserved almost in their original form - mountain tundras here coexist with relict forests. Numerous scientists and travelers have admired and continue to admire the picturesque landscapes of Taganay.

Hydroelectric power station of the early 20th century. A natural-industrial complex, unique equipment and mechanisms have been preserved here in working order. It is protected by UNESCO as an international monument of history and culture.

6. Ignatievskaya Cave

The most frequently visited cave in the country. Every year over 1.5 thousand people come here. Under its arches is located the oldest “art gallery” of the Urals of the Paleolithic era. Ignatievskaya Cave is included in the list of objects that are under special state protection.

7. Blue mirrors

The Chelyabinsk region, located in the south of the Urals, can rightfully be called Russian Switzerland, which boasts not only a significant number of lakes (over 3100), but also the heterogeneity of their origin. The most famous lakes of the Urals:

Turgoyak. The deepest and coldest of the lakes in the region with an island sanctuary. The water in it is comparable in purity to Lake Baikal. Turgoyak is included in the list of the most valuable lakes in the world.

Zyuratkul. For its extraordinary beauty, this lake is called “Ural Ritsa”. More than 10 ancient human sites have been discovered on its shores.

8. Ski resorts

The Urals are a mountainous region. Therefore, it is no coincidence that a record number of ski resorts in the country are concentrated here. The largest of them are known not only in Russia.

Abzakovo. Picturesque nature, mountains, lakes - in winter thousands of tourists come here to relax. A great opportunity to attend international snowboarding and parallel slalom competitions.

Bathhouse. A comfortable resort with developed infrastructure - it has everything.

Zavyalikha. Ideal for family holidays: 10 trails of varying difficulty, a slope for beginners, equipped with a special towing lift.

This unique cave complex is located in the valley of the Bashkir River Ai. A large number of caves, shelters and grottoes, Stone Age sites. The largest archaeological complex in Russia. There are 13 excursion routes on the territory of the complex and in its surroundings.

10. Tourist route “In the footsteps of space aliens”

The celestial alien that exploded in the sky over Chelyabinsk left behind a lot of fragments. Since the Tunguska meteorite, this is the largest alien body that has fallen to earth. After this event, people of different ages, from different cities and countries rushed to search for fragments of the fallen celestial body. There are several tourist routes at the site of the meteorite fall.

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 base 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 Pamirs. For example, the peaks of the polar Urals are average in level - 600-800 meters, not to mention the fact that they are also the narrowest in terms of the width of the ridge. However, such geological characteristics have an undoubted advantage: they remain accessible to humans. And we are talking here not so much about scientific research, but about the tourist attractiveness of the places through which they lie. The landscape of the Ural Mountains is truly unique. Here crystal clear mountain streams and rivers begin their run, growing into larger bodies of water. Such large rivers as the Ural, Kama, Pechora, Chusovaya and Belaya also flow here.

A wide variety of recreational opportunities open up for tourists here: both for real extreme sports enthusiasts and for beginners. And the Ural Mountains are a true treasure trove of minerals. In addition to deposits of coal, natural gas and oil, mines are developed here that produce copper, nickel, chromium, titanium, gold, silver, and platinum. If we recall the tales of Pavel Bazhov, the Urals 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, the Subpolar or Middle Urals, is indescribable. And their greatness, beauty, harmony and clean air charge you with energy and positivity, inspire and, of course, leave vivid impressions for the rest of your 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. Thus, Ptolemy pointed out that this mountain system consists of the Rimnus mountains (this is the current Middle Urals), Norosa (Southern Urals) and the northern part - the Hyperborean mountains themselves. In the first written sources of the 11th century AD, due to its great length, it was called nothing less than the “Earth Belt”.

In the first Russian chronicle, “The Tale of Bygone Years,” which dates back to the same 11th century, the mountains of the Urals were called by our compatriots Siberian, Poyasov 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 is translated 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 the most convincing. After all, if you take the language, legends and traditions of this people - for example, the famous epic "Ural-Batyr" - then it is not difficult to see that in them this toponym has not only existed since ancient times, but is also 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, and get a dose of thrill while rafting down wild rivers. Moreover, each tourist chooses for himself how exactly to travel. Some people like to go on independent hikes with a backpack on their shoulders, while others prefer the more comfortable conditions of a tour bus or the inside of a personal car.

The fauna of the “Earth Belt” is no less diverse. A predominant position in the local fauna is occupied by forest animals, whose habitat is coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed forests. Thus, squirrels live in coniferous forests, the main diet of which is spruce seeds, and in winter these cute animals with a fluffy tail feed on previously stored 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, which this predator hunts.

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

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 ranges, the brown hare and fox feel at ease. We did not make a reservation: they live precisely on flat terrain, and for them the forest is just a shelter. And, of course, the tree crowns are well inhabited by many species of birds.

As for the climate of the Ural Mountains, the geographical location plays an important role in this regard. In the north, this mountain system extends 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 will notice how the temperature gradually increases, which is especially noticeable in the summer. If in the north during the warm period of the year the thermometer shows from +10 to +12 degrees, then in the south - from 20 to 22 degrees above zero. However, in winter the temperature between north and south does not differ so sharply. The average monthly temperature in January in the north is 20 degrees minus, in the south it is 16-18 degrees below zero.

Air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean also have a noticeable impact on the climate of the Urals. And although as atmospheric flows move from the west towards the Urals, the air becomes less humid, it cannot be called 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 during the cold period of the year, partly cloudy and cold weather sets in.

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

Sights of the Ural Mountains

One of the most famous protected areas of the Ural Mountains is the Oleniy Ruchi 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 Great Failure are of considerable interest. “Oleniye Ruchiki” has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure: special trails are equipped in the park, there are observation decks, not to mention places for recreation. There are also cable 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 the “Bazhov Places” natural park. The opportunities for complete rest and relaxation here are simply magnificent. You can take walks, bike rides or horseback rides. Walking along specially designed and thought-out routes, you will take in the picturesque landscapes, climb Mount Markov Kamen and visit Lake Talkov Kamen. Extreme sports enthusiasts usually flock here in the summer to go kayaking and kayaking down mountain rivers. Travelers also come here in winter, enjoying snowmobiling.

If you appreciate the natural beauty of semi-precious stones - namely 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. Traveling to the mining sites on your own is prohibited - you must be accompanied by a reserve employee, 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 Bolshoy Sapa and Ayati - rivers originating in the Ural Mountains. The Shaitan Stone, popular among travelers, is located on the right bank of the Rezhi. The Urals 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 higher powers does not dry out.

Of course, the Urals are a magnet for lovers of extreme tourism, who enjoy visiting its caves, of which there are a huge number. 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 Kungur ice cave there are 50 grottoes, over 60 lakes and countless stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature in the cave is always below freezing, so when visiting here, dress as if you were going for a 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, the age of which is estimated at 14 thousand years or more. Approximately 200 works by ancient masters of the brush have become the property of our time, although there were probably more. Travelers can also admire the underground lakes and visit 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 attractions are best visited in winter. One of them is the ice fountain, which is located in the Zyuratkul National Park and arose thanks to the efforts of geologists who drilled a well in this place. Moreover, this 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 voluminous icicle of a bizarre shape, 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 border if our native Urals are also rich in thermal springs? To undergo a full course of healing procedures, all you need to do is come to Tyumen. The hot springs here are rich in microelements beneficial for human health, and the water temperature ranges from +36 to +45 degrees Celsius depending on the season. Let us add that modern recreation centers have been built on these springs. Mineral waters are also used for treatment in the Ust-Kachka health complex, located near Perm and unique in the chemical composition of its waters. Summer recreation here can be combined with boating and catamarans; in winter, ice slides, skating rinks and full-fledged ski slopes are available to vacationers.

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 we can highlight the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. It throws down 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 holy. There is also a waterfall near Yekaterinburg, named Rokhotun for its roaring “temper”. 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 enjoy standing under its jets, cooling off and receiving hydromassage, completely free of charge.

Video: Southern Ural

Large cities of the Urals

The millionaire 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 in a deep sleep, and you never know exactly when he will wake up. But when he gets enough sleep, then, no doubt, he will definitely unfold to his full potential.

Yekaterinburg usually makes a strong impression on its guests - first of all, with many architectural attractions. Among them are the famous Church 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 metro in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records: 7 stations account for only 9 km.

Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Tagil also became widely known in Russia, primarily thanks to the popular comedy show “Our Russia”. The characters of the program, beloved by viewers, are, of course, fictional, but tourists are still interested in where to find Ivan Dulin, the world’s first milling machine operator of non-traditional sexual orientation, and Vovan and Gena, hapless and drinking-loving Russian tourists who constantly find themselves in frankly tragicomic situations. One of the business cards of Chelyabinsk are two monuments: Love, made in the form of an iron tree, and Lefty with a shod flea. The city’s panorama of local factories located above the Miass River is also impressive. But 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 the Hermitage.

Another Ural city that has become famous thanks to television is Perm. This is where the “real boys” who became the heroes of the series of the same name live. Perm claims to be the next cultural capital of Russia, and this idea is actively lobbied by designer Artemy Lebedev, who is working on the external appearance of the city, and gallery owner Marat Gelman, specializing in contemporary art.

Orenburg, which is called the land of endless steppes, is also a real historical treasury of the Urals and all of Russia. At one time, it survived the siege of Emelyan Pugachev’s army; 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 Ural city, there is a symbolic “Kilometer Zero” sign. The local post office is the very point from which the distance to other points on our planet is measured. 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 weighs a whole ton. And in this city - at least that’s what the locals say - there is the tallest 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 Pugachev sits rises above the Belaya River.

Ski resorts of the Urals

The most important ski resorts in 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 city of Trekhgorny, the last two are near Magnitogorsk. According to the results of the competition, which is held as part 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.

A whole scattering of ski resorts is concentrated in the regions of the Middle and Southern Urals. Thrill-seekers and simply curious tourists who want to try themselves in such an “adrenaline” sport as alpine skiing come here almost all year round. Travelers here will find good trails for skis, sleds and snowboards.

In addition to alpine skiing, descents along mountain rivers are very popular among travelers. Fans of such alloys, which also increase adrenaline levels, go for thrills to Miass, Magnitogorsk, Asha or Kropchaevo. True, you won’t be able to get to your destination quickly, since you will have to travel by train or car.

The holiday season in the Urals lasts on average from October-November to April. During this period, another popular entertainment is snowmobiling and ATV riding. In Zavyalikha, which has become one of the most popular tourist spots, they even installed a special trampoline. Experienced athletes practice complex elements and tricks on it.

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, the journey by rail will take just 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 build 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.

Often people find themselves captive of certain words, often used in communication and books (encyclopedias, student and school textbooks), without really thinking about their meaning.

For example, it would seem that the word “Ural”... It is so familiar and seems clear and understandable to everyone. But its meaning is most likely ambiguous. What is the Urals? We will try to find out this in this article.

The Urals are like a mountainous country

Few people know what the Urals are. This is a mountain range more than 2000 meters long. What is its geographical location? It stretches from north to south, dividing Europe and Asia and the two largest plains - the West Siberian lowland and the Russian steppe.

Description of the mountains

The Ural Mountains are ancient rocks, heavily destroyed by time. The stone belt of these mountains, together with the adjacent plains of the Urals, stretches from the north (from the shores of the Arctic Ocean) to the south to the semi-desert territories of Kazakhstan. So what is “Ural”? What does this word mean if translated from the Turkic language? It means “belt” (more on the meaning of the word below). Amazing nature, fascinating with its unapproachable, harsh beauty - all this is the Urals. Where else can you see such splendor?

Many territories of the Urals are nature reserves, among which the most famous are the following: Zyuratkul, Taganay, Arkaim, Arakul, Denezhkin Kamen, Kungur Cave, Kvarkush, Oleniy Ruchi. What other meaning is hidden in the word “Ural”? What is it really and what does it represent to all of us when we encounter this term?

Ural as a region

Officially, the Urals are a geographical region. The main part of this Russian region is represented by the Ural mountain system. Its southern zone includes part of the Ural River basin, which flows into the Caspian Sea. The region, as noted above, is located at the junction of Asia and Europe. It starts from the shores of the Kara Sea and ends at Mugodzhar (the southern spur of the Ural Mountains in Kazakhstan).

The Trans-Urals and Cis-Urals are economically and historically closely connected with the Urals. These are the territories adjacent to it from the east and west. In all these areas, the following republics, regions and territories of Russia are collectively located: Bashkortostan, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk and Orenburg regions and Udmurtia, the eastern parts of the Arkhangelsk region and the Komi Republic, the western part of the Tyumen region. In Kazakhstan, two regions belong to the Urals: Kustanai and Aktobe.

Region meaning

Ural - what is it? What does it represent for Russia in economic terms? Since ancient times, the Urals has amazed many researchers with the abundance of a wide variety of minerals, which is the main wealth of these regions.

The Ural Mountains store a huge variety of minerals in their depths. They contain copper and iron ores, nickel and chromium, zinc and cobalt, oil and coal, gold and other precious stones. These places have long been the largest mining and metallurgical base in Russia. In addition, the riches of these places include huge forest resources. The Middle and Southern Urals have extensive opportunities for the development of agriculture. This natural region is the most important for all of Russia and its citizens.

A little about the toponym

There are a huge number of versions of the origin of the toponym (the proper name of a geographical object) “Ural”. Based on the results of studies of the languages ​​of the peoples living in the region, there is a main version about the origin of the name of the area - this name is derived from the Bashkir language. And in fact, of all the nationalities living in these places, this name has existed for a long time only among the Bashkirs and is supported by the legends and traditions of this people (for example, the epic “Ural Batyr”).

The Urals are multinational. What does he represent to other peoples? In addition to the Bashkirs, the rest of the indigenous peoples of these mountainous places (Komi, Khanty, Udmurts, Mansi) have other names for the Ural Mountains. It is also known that the Russians learned about the name Uraltau from the Bashkirs in the mid-16th century, translating it as Araltov Mountain. In this regard, it is generally accepted that the name of the mountains is associated with the Turkic word “aral” (translated as “island”) or with “uralmak” (translated as “encircle” or “enclose”).

We can talk endlessly about this amazing “country” called the Urals. The works of great writers and poets are dedicated to her, and wonderful paintings were painted by famous artists. a huge number of nature lovers, and its peaks are conquered by brave and courageous climbers. All nationalities living in this region have their own unique history and culture that deserves attention and respect.

Search engines for the query “Ural” return more than 100 million pages. Here you will find the border between Europe and Asia, and tales of a giant with a belt in the shape of the Ural ridge, and Pugachev’s army, and Yeltsin’s homeland, and a “Farewell Letter” to America, and much more.

The Urals are a real treasure for adventure lovers. A huge piece of Russia, which has absorbed European order and Asian recklessness. It’s worth coming here if only to understand how large and diverse the country in which we live is.

How to get there

All major cities of the Urals can be easily reached. The region is one of the most convenient for Russian tourists. You can fly from Moscow by plane in just 3 hours; by train the journey will take just over a day.

The main Ural city is Yekaterinburg. It is located in the Middle Urals, so the low mountains made it possible to lay several transport routes here from Central Russia to Siberia. For example, you can travel through this region on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Search for air tickets to Ekaterinburg (the nearest airport to the Urals)

Weather in the Urals

Typical mountainous, precipitation is distributed unevenly not only across regions, but also within each region. It is interesting that within the same zone on the plains of the Cis-Urals and Trans-Urals, the natural conditions are noticeably different. This is explained by the fact that the Ural Mountains serve as a kind of climatic barrier. To the west of them there is more precipitation, the climate is more humid and mild; to the east, that is, beyond the Urals, there is less precipitation, the climate is drier, with pronounced continental features.

Large cities of the Urals

Large cities of the Urals: Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Ufa, Perm, Izhevsk, Orenburg, Magnitogorsk, Nizhny Tagil, Kurgan, Sterlitamak.

Yekaterinburg bears the unofficial title of the third capital of Russia and the third capital of Russian rock. A large industrial city that looks especially amazing in winter. Covered with thick snow, it looks like a sleeping giant - you never know when it will definitely wake up, but when it gets enough sleep, it will unfold in all its might. In general, Ekaterinburg makes a strong impression.

The city has notable buildings: the Church on the Blood, built on the site of the execution of the family of Nicholas II, the building of the former District Court, the Sverdlovsk rock club, and various museums.

And in Yekaterinburg there is the shortest metro in the world. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records: 9 km - 7 stations.

Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Tagil became widely known in Russia thanks to the sketch show “Our Russia”. And although the characters in the program were fictitious, tourists are still interested in where milling machine operator Ivan Dulin works and how to find Vovan.

In Chelyabinsk, the panorama of local factories, which are located above the Miass River, is amazing. In the city there is a monument to love in the form of an iron tree, as well as a monument to Lefty with a shod flea. In Nizhny Tagil, the Museum of Fine Arts houses a painting by Raphael - the only one that can be found in Russia outside the Hermitage.

In Ufa there is a symbolic sign “Zero Kilometer”. The distance to other points on the globe is measured from the local post office. The Ufa bronze sign weighs a ton and is a disk with a diameter of 1.5 m. And in Ufa, according to local residents, the tallest equestrian statue in Europe is located. This is Salavat Yulaev, or the Bashkir Bronze Horseman. A horse with an associate of Emelyan Pugachev rises above the Belaya River.

Orenburg is a country of endless steppes, a city that survived the siege of Pugachev’s troops, remembers the visits of A.S. Pushkin, Taras Shevchenko and the wedding of Yuri Gagarin.

Another city that has become famous among Russian citizens thanks to TV is Perm. Here in the areas live real boys about whom the series of the same name was filmed. Now they want to make Perm the next cultural capital of Russia. Gallerist Marat Gelman and designer Artemy Lebedev are interested in this: the first deals with contemporary art, the second with the external appearance of the city.

Southern Urals

Sanatoriums of the Urals

If you don't like alpine skiing, you can spend a couple of weeks in the sanatoriums of the Urals. Here the infrastructure and service are no worse than European ones, and the local nature is famous for its healing mud, healing mineral water and amazing air.

The sanatoriums of the Urals guarantee a serene pastime on an all-inclusive basis. Three meals a day, treatments, calm neighbors, walks in the fresh air and a positive attitude guarantee a long and happy life for everyone.

Resorts of the Urals

In the Urals, the main ski resorts are located in the Sverdlovsk region, Chelyabinsk region and Bashkortostan.

The most famous ski resorts in the Urals are Abzakovo, Bannoye and Zavyalikha. The first two are located near Magnitogorsk, the third - near the city of Trekhgorny.

The Middle and Southern Urals are a whole scattering of ski resorts. You can come here almost all year round for thrills. Good tracks for skis, sleds and snowboards are guaranteed.

Fans of descents along mountain rivers can go to Magnitogorsk, Miass, Kropchaevo or Asha. True, the journey will not be fast, since you will have to get there by car or train.

The ski resorts of the Urals are good for both beginners and professionals. Popular resorts offer several trails of varying difficulty. There are separate trails for skiers and snowboarders. There are training slopes for beginners - they are easy and children can practice here.

On average, the holiday season lasts from October-November to April. For entertainment, you can ride snowmobiles and ATVs. In Zavyalikha, one of the most popular places in the Urals, there is a special trampoline where professionals practice complex elements.

Guides in the Urals

Entertainment and attractions of the Urals

Listing all the sights of the Urals may take several hours, and a detailed story may take a couple of months. All local attractions are divided into two types: created by nature and made by man. The first includes the mountain range, lakes, flora and fauna. The second includes numerous parks, museums, zoos, and historical buildings.

Ural Mountains

The center of everything is the Ural Mountains. The highest ones rise at a level of 1600 m, the foothills and foothill plains are riddled with rivers, of which there are a lot here. If you want to get to know the mountains better, you need to contact a professional guide - you shouldn’t explore the mountain alone, which doesn’t greet everyone with a friendly face.

Fauna

Civilization has had a negative impact on the rich fauna of the Urals. Many animals were forced to leave their habitats. For example, there are no longer saigas or wild horses in the Urals.

In the north of the region there are deer, in the south - marmots, shrews, and lizards. In the forests you can find brown bears, foxes, wolves, lynxes, stoats, and roe deer.

National parks

The national parks of the Urals are a human attempt to preserve local nature. Of course, in the reserves there are practically no places where homo sapiens would step, but he steps there very carefully - so as not to cause harm.

Among the national parks, Zyuratkul and Taganay located in the Chelyabinsk region stand out. Here you can go hiking in the forest, go down the river, climb safe mountains. If you're lucky, you'll meet a bear. Although it's still a question of who will be luckier...

Minerals and gems

Looking at the precious stones, gold and platinum that are mined in the Urals, you understand that the “Mistress of the Copper Mountain” is not a fiction, not a fairy tale, but a reality. The Urals are famous for deposits of precious metals, as well as copper ores and rock salts. There are apparently invisibly deposits in the region that will supply Russia for many years to come.

Arkaim

Arkaim is a settlement in the Southern Urals, so ancient that it remembers the times before the birth of Christ. There are no treasures or any destroyed buildings here - Arkaim attracts lovers of mysticism. Those who want to know the truth flock here. The way he imagines it.

Archaeologists have found that people lived in Arkaim for about 100 years, after which they burned their settlement and left towards India. The Arkaim people were nomads, so when nature gave them everything it could, they wandered off in search of a better life.