The land of old legends

Altai Republic

• The richest in natural resources.
• The real paradise on Earth.
• More than 60,000 kilometers worth of waterways.
• Altai glaciers has a total of 57 km³.
• Mineral and hot springs are popular destinations for tourists.

Altai has a total of more than 60,000 kilometers worth of waterways.

Altai glaciers contain a great amount of fresh water. The general volume of ice for registered Altai glaciers has a total of 57 km³, 52 km³ of which is water.

The largest glaciers are Bolshoy Taldurinsky (35 km²), Mensu (21 km²), Sofiysky (17 km²), and Bolshoy Maashey (16 km²).

Altai's largest rivers are the Katun and the Biya, both of which originate in the mountains and flow northwards.

The junction of the two rivers eventually forms the Ob River, one of the longest rivers in Siberia, which flows northward to the Arctic Ocean.

The source of the black Biya River is Lake Teletskoye.

The Katun River, in particular, holds a religious significance for native Altaians, as well as for many Russians who live in the area.

Mineral and hot springs are popular destinations for tourists and locals, sought for their therapeutic effects.

Mineral resources in the region primarily include gold, silver, iron ores, and lithium, in addition to other smaller amounts of minerals.

Mount Belukha is known in Altai folklore to be the gateway to the mystical kingdom of Shambhala.

The hydrographic network of Altai includes approximately 7,000 lakes, adding up to a total area of more than 700 km2.

The largest lake is Lake Teletskoye, which is 80 km long and 5 kilometers wide, has a maximum depth of 325 meters.

The mountain lakes of Altai contain enormous freshwater reserves of a very pure quality as a result of their distance from civilization.

Lake Teletskoye alone contains more than 40 cubic kilometers of very clear water.

Altai's highest peak, Mount Belukha (4,506 m), is the highest point in Siberia.