There are many corners of nature in the world that simply amaze the imagination with their beauty. One of these places is the Altai Territory. It is located in the southeastern part of Western Siberia. In the east, the region is surrounded by the Salair Ridge - for the most part a flat area dotted with numerous low hills. As you move to the southeast, the terrain gradually changes. Endless plains come close to the majestic mountains of Altai. To say that they are beautiful is to say nothing.
Altai Mountains are the pride of the world. Translated from the ancient Turkic "Altai" sounds like "golden mountain" or "mountain of gold". Looking at these giants, I want to believe that this is really so. In Siberia, this is the largest mountain range. It harmoniously combines snow-capped peaks and picturesque green slopes, silent hills and raging mountain rivers with crystal clear water. The height of the area ranges from 500 to 2000 meters above sea level. The bowels of the fabulous Altai Territory are rich in various minerals. Copper, zinc, gold, lead, silver - this is only a small part of what the local land stores in itself. On the territory of the region, a lot of building decorative, as well as rare ornamental materials are mined. Rich deposits of jasper and quartzite are known all over the world. And the reserves of soda are the largest in the world. This further emphasizes the importance of the region for our entire country.
The Altai Mountains are cut by small streams, which, smoothly descending to the plain, form a lake of indescribable beauty. One of them (Teletskoye) is even under the protection of the world organization UNESCO. Along its eastern coast there is a nature reserve where many rare animals live. Among them is the famous snow leopard.
There is a legend that the Altai Mountains were formed over 400 million years ago. Then, under the influence of the forces of nature, they were completely destroyed, and only after 350 million years did what we see now appear. Ancient giants, shrouded in a blanket of snow, majestically rise above the green hilly plain. The Altai Mountains attract the attention of many lovers of heights. Numerous climbers come here to test their strength, climbing steep rocky areas. Those who are lucky will be able to admire the wonderful scenery from a bird's eye view.
Despite the fact that the highest mountain of the Altai Territory is the two-pointed Belukha, which rises 4.5 thousand meters above sea level, most climbers strive not tohere. They are attracted by a completely different peak - Mount Sinyukha. Altai Territory is famous precisely because of her. The height of this beauty is only 1210 meters. On the territory of the Kolyvansky ridge located here, this is the highest point. But that's not what she's interested in. If you look at the mountain from a distance, it seems blue. This is due to the dense vegetation. Maybe that's why they called her that - "Sinyukha". In the nearby vicinity of this mountain, there are two of the most famous lakes in Altai: Mokhovoe and Beloe. At the foot of the massif begins a birch grove. Tourists climb up the trail. The road gradually becomes more difficult. The sunny birch forest is gradually changing into harsh taiga thickets of fir. A few hours of climbing - and the long-awaited peak opens up, which is surrounded by granite rocks. One of them has an iron cross. In the very center of the peak there is a block of granite with a cup-shaped depression filled with water. Since ancient times, people have believed that if you climb to the top of Sinyukha, wash yourself with water from a bowl and pray at an iron cross, then for a whole year all problems will bypass you and your soul will be calm. The mountain has long been a place of pilgrimage for Christians. Even now, many believe in the ancient legend.
The capital of the Altai Territory is the city of Barnaul. Its history spans a little over 200 years. This is not so much, but the city is rapidly developing and gaining strength. During its existence, it has undergone earthquakes and floods, wars and devastation. Residents sacredly honor the memory of the past, which is stored in numerous museums. Modern Barnaul is a citycontrasts. Against the backdrop of wide avenues and high-rise buildings, ancient buildings have been preserved that remind of bygone years.
The road to Altai lies precisely through Barnaul. Crowds of people strive to see with their own eyes the boundless expanses of mountains and forests of indescribable beauty, swim in the purest lakes and breathe in the fresh air of the Altai meadows.
