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Asia & the Pacific
The Altai Republic of the Russian Federation
The Altai Republic of the Russian Federation is a mountainous country, often described as the "Russian Tibet". The Republic lies within the Russian part of the mountain system of Altai (Gorny Altai): the relief of the Republic is characterized by high mountain ridges separated by narrow and deep river valleys. The highest peak — Mount Belukha (4,506 m) — is the highest point in Siberia.
Water is amongst the most important natural resource in the Altai Republic, and its mineral springs are considered medicinal. The country boasts a wide variety of national parks and protected areas. So-called "rural tourism"is currently being developed in the Tchoisky Region, where local people welcome tourists to their homes and offer recreation such as hunting and fishing. In the mountainous Altai-Sayan ecoregion, World Wildlife International (WWF) is working with national and international partners to protect the landscapes and culture of the area, by promoting sustainable forest management, ecologically sound tourism and small enterprise development.
Read more: Central Asian Mountains in Focus
Read more about the Altai at the Asia Pacific Mountain Network (apmn) of the Mountain Forum
For further information, visit the Official Web site of the Altai Republic of the Russian Federation
Did you know?
- Annual precipitation totals for the Altai range from 250 mm at the lower elevations to 500 mm at 3,000 m. Evaporation rates are very low due to the cold, so the terrain is marshy and wet, with many rivers and lakes.
- At 233 square kilometres, Lake Teletskoye is the largest of the Altai's more than 3,000 lakes.
