10 interesting facts about the Ural Mountains – the oldest mountain range of the Urals

The Ural Mountains are a unique mountain system that crosses the Russian Federation from the very north and south. This place is considered a real treasure for any self-respecting tourist. He can absorb this unique flavor and Asian enthusiasm.

In fact, they are small in size, and the ridges are quite narrow. The landscape of mountain ranges is unique. There are many sources of rivers, which then flow into large reservoirs.

In these places you can see completely clear waters that rush along powerful mountain streams. Such well-known rivers as the Ural, Pechora and many others flow here.

In this article, we will look at 10 interesting facts about the Ural Mountains.

10 In antiquity they were called the Riphean or Hyperborean mountains

In our time, it is known that in historical, as well as geographical and fiction literature, the opinion is quite firmly entrenched that in antiquity, the ancient Greeks called the Ural mountains Riphean or Hyperborean. Let’s look at history as they described them.

Initially, nevertheless, in the myths there are descriptions of Hyperborea. Initial prefix “hyper” means “beyond anything“, and the ending “bore” – “strong wind».

If you turn to the mythology of the Scandinavians “brown” considered the father of the god Odin, as well as other gods. All this indicates a rather close connection with the culture of the Hyperboreans.

In the description of the nature of Hyperborea, there are also the Riphean mountains, in which strong, cold winds blow. Thick fog and snow prevail here. This is one of the important climatic features.

Also, one Welsh legend testifies that the Greeks called the mountains that way. It says that the famous King Arthur ended his life on the island of Avalon, which originated from the legend of Hyperborea. It was designated as a country of youth and health, eternal happiness, where all people live without sorrows and sorrows.

9. ancient mountain range

The Ural Mountains were formed in a rather late Paleozoic era.. And its formation began about three hundred and fifty million years ago. Almost all formations are ancient. Since that moment, the ridges of the mountains have been destroyed and have not been updated.

8. Natural border between Europe and Asia

The Ural Mountains are located between the East European and West Siberian plains. It is worth noting that the mountain ranges are located on the borders of two continents – Europe and Asia. But, for example, Vaigach Island and Novaya Zemlya continue to form a mountain range to the north.

7. Used to be much higher

The Ural Mountains are a rather unique phenomenon. For a long time they were considered the highest mountains on Earth, but a lot of time has passed since that moment.

It is worth noting that earlier, when they were still young, they were considered higher even than the Himalayan mountains. But due to constant earthquakes, winds, it happened that they became not so high.

At present, the Ural Mountains cannot boast of height, with younger ones, for example, with the famous Elbrus. But, nevertheless, they are also unique and majestic. Not just because travelers come here from all over the world. In these places, they relax and just have a good time, enjoying the views and clean mountain air.

6. Divided into 5 zones

Not many people know that The Ural Mountains are divided into five parts, that is, zones. Pai-Khot Ridge – has low ridges, which are located mostly in sea and glacial places of the nearby plains. They wedge into the waters of the Arctic Ocean.

In the second zone, the Polar and Subpolar Urals can be noted. They reach their highest altitudes, around 1300 meters and above. Also in the relief there are sharp peaks-carlings with narrow ridges and wide valleys-trogs.

The Northern Urals differs from others in the stone massifs that rise above the low mountains. Here you can clearly trace the longitudinal ridges, which are located on the depressions. The peaks are slightly flat and rounded, the slopes are covered with huge boulders.

Closer to the Arctic Circle, you can see permafrost. Almost all slopes and peaks in this zone are covered with stone ruins.

A small dip formed in the Middle Urals. There are only gently sloping hills, which are about 800 meters high. The well-known Cis-Urals plateau passes through one of the main watersheds. Then it goes to Western Siberia.

The last fifth zone is considered to be the Southern Urals. Here the ridges are parallel, and the height of the peaks is about 1000 meters. It is worth noting that in this place the slopes are more gentle, but their outlines are a bit soft.

The highest point here is a mountain called Yamantau, which has a height of 1640 meters. Mountains are a karst landform, that is, where there are caves, sinkholes and blind valleys.

The slopes are covered with powerful boulders. Towers rise above them. Closer to the Arctic Circle is permafrost. On many slopes and peaks, you can see stone ruins, which are called kurums.

5. Influence the climate of nearby regions

The Ural Mountains have a small height, but, nevertheless, they affect the climate of the surrounding regions.. Air masses reach almost to the slopes of the western Urals. They try to overcome them, and then rise higher and then cool down.

This is what causes the big rainfall. Also, the temperature regime has its own characteristics. For example, in the western part of the mountains, the winter is snowy and mild, but in the East there is a lot of snow and frosts stay around -45 degrees. In summer, the pressure here is low, and this is due to the fact that the air masses come directly from the seas. At this time, the weather is very hot and dry.

4. There are no volcanoes in the Urals

Not many people know that there are absolutely no volcanoes in the Urals. In fact, everything is explained very simply. Earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates. But the Ural Mountains have a more folded origin.

Mountains appeared as a result of the collision of ancient plates in the lithosphere. That is why it is believed that plate adhesions occurred in the Urals, which only aged and collapsed over time. There is no movement here, which means that there can be no volcanoes either. But it is worth noting that a very long time ago, there were active volcanoes in this area.

3. “Zero Territory”

Not many people know that The Ural Mountains have zero territory. Since this is not the West, but not the East either. The relief is divided into two borders that run along the border of the Ural Range.

2. Rich in minerals

The Urals has always been shrouded in secrets and legends. There are also minerals that are found deep in the bowels of this wonderful area. And this happened due to a rather complex geological structure, as well as high tectonic activity.

The Ural Mountains are full of rare metals and minerals. And work on their extraction began a couple of centuries ago. Even during the reign of Peter the Great, this place was valued for its large reserves of stones.

If you look at the map of minerals, you can see that the entire Urals is full of multi-colored zones, where there are huge deposits of precious metals.

1. Mount Narodnaya – the highest peak of the Urals

The highest peak in the Urals is a mountain called Narodnaya. The height is about 1895 meters. Interestingly, there are two variants of the pronunciation of the word. In the first version, the stress is placed on the first syllable, since the mountain is located next to the Naroda River (emphasis on a). And some argue that the second syllable.