Markakol - lake in Eastern Kazakhstan: description. Water resources of Kazakhstan. Lakes of Ust-Kamenogorsk

East Kazakhstan region (Kazakh: Shygys Kazakhstan oblysy) is a region in the eastern part of Kazakhstan, on the border with Russia and China. Until October 14, 1939, the administrative center of the region was Semipalatinsk, then by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Semipalatinsk region was created from part of the regions of the East Kazakhstan region and the administrative center was moved to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. In 1997, the territory of the former Semipalatinsk region was included in it.

Borders two regions Russian Federation, one - China and three regions of Kazakhstan, in the north - with and, in the east - with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, in the south - with the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, in the west - with the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan, in the north-west - with the Pavlodar region Kazakhstan.

matured for a couple of years. Moreover, the main incentive was precisely the Almaty part. Having traveled a lot in Eastern Kazakhstan, we have never entered the territory of the Almaty region, and there is also something to see there. However, in the course of evolutionary development, the plan was transformed into what it turned out to be. We decided to come from Ust-Kamenogorsk, meet with friends and relatives, relax for a couple of days in Samarka, show East Kazakhstan to Astana residents, and only then move to Almaty.

The departure from Astana towards Ust-Kamenogorsk took place using already tested technology - with an overnight stay in Pavlodar. This makes it much more convenient and actually faster in time. The road between Astana and Pavlodar took almost 6 hours (!) - a new highway is being built along the entire route, there are speed limit signs, detours, etc. all around. In general, we arrived in Pavlodar at midnight, settled in in advance booked hotel and into sleep. In the morning we moved on. We didn’t see a single traffic police car on the Astana-Pavlodar-Semey highway; about five patrols were seen from Semey to Ust-Kamenogorsk. In some places they stood in pairs 2-3 kilometers apart. In all cases, a portable radar was used at a distance of up to a kilometer from the traffic police vehicles, so it was very difficult not to get caught, but we were lucky.

One day was devoted to all sorts of family affairs, the next day we met Murat and Talgat, handed them over to the arms of Mirkhat, who gave a short tour of the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk and its surroundings while we were walking at the wedding.

Ust-Kamenogorsk was remembered for two events.
The first event, or rather the first phrase, entered the annals of the history of this journey. At the paid parking lot the guard asked me:
- How to register a car? Jeep Captiva?
“No,” I say, “jeep jeep!”

This is how it was with us from that day throughout the entire trip - here is a Pajero jeep, and here is a jeep - a jeep.

The second event was not so fun, in the evening Murat and Mirhat witnessed a fight between the drivers of two cars at an intersection, Murat had to go separate the hot Ust-Kamenogorsk guys while Mirhat called the police. In general, Ust-Kamenogorsk welcomed the distinguished Astana guests in all its wonderful diversity.

Another thing that caught my eye was the abundance of greenery. More precisely, an abundance of grass. It’s immediately obvious that the mayor of the city is not the same today.

The grass in the city is not cut, there are few flowers, and there is a feeling of some abandonment. Where are the worthy replacements for Islam Abishev?

On Sunday morning we left in a large convoy for Samarka via Sibiny.

What is success in life? This is when you used to walk to get shawarma, but now you can pay 100 tenge (30 rubles) and drive straight to the stall by car! What is great success in life? This is when they don’t even try to take the 100 tenge from you! Although it may be early in the morning, the clock is only 8:30. We load up on thick protein bars wrapped in pita bread and hit the road.

We considered the option of renting a house on Sibiny for one day to spend the night, but taking into account a lot of time inconsistencies, Sundays, etc. We limited ourselves to visiting the third lake - to show Astana residents our alternatives.

For readers from other places - Sibiny is located an hour's drive from Ust-Kamenogorsk and is a group of 5 lakes. From a satellite, they look like the claw marks of a bear that scratched the ground and filled the holes with water.

By the way, they say there are bears there; a few years ago a group of cyclists were driving around the lakes and came across characteristic small architectural forms with a slight smell. Which added adrenaline and speeded up the route.

Each lake is surrounded on three sides rocky mountains, which is why the sky in Sibiny always looks deep blue.

The proximity to the city means that the coastline is mainly purchased by private owners and recreation centers.

Since the lakes are located among the mountains, the water in them is relatively clean and transparent, which attracts those who like to hunt with a harpoon.

In winter, ice fishing enthusiasts and car owners who want to drive on perfectly flat (if they're lucky) ice go to Sibiny.

We stopped for just an hour to climb a small hill, take a few pictures and continue our journey further to Samarka.

Unfortunately, time did not allow us to lift a telescope up the mountain, so the inhabitants of the nudist beach (yes, there is such an attraction in Sibiny) remained undisturbed. The penetration power of even the most powerful binoculars was not enough.

The next part is Samara beaches.

07

The East Kazakhstan region is located in the eastern part of Kazakhstan, on the border with Russia and China. In 1997, the territory of the former Semipalatinsk region was included in it. The administrative center is the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Formed on March 10, 1932. Area - 283.3 thousand square meters. km. Population - 1416.4 thousand people. (2008), of which 59 percent are urban. The region includes 15 districts, 10 cities, 30 towns, 870 rural settlements.

The main river is the Irtysh, on which three hydroelectric power stations are located - Bukhtarminskaya, Shulbinskaya and Ust-Kamenogorskaya. Lakes Alakol, Zaysan, Markakol, Sasykkol.

In terms of the richness and concentration of natural resources, the East Kazakhstan region is compared to a sheet of paper crumpled into a small ball. If a crumpled sheet is smoothed out, its area will increase many times over. Natural history has intricately mixed landscape zones and altitudinal zones here: in the west, the steppe plains of the Irtysh region with desert elements border on the famous Saryarka (translated from the Kazakh language as “yellow back”), where the traditional culture of nomadic animal husbandry developed. In the east - mountain region, called Altai (translated from Mongolian as “golden mountains”).

Fishing

There are more than 1,200 rivers in Eastern Kazakhstan. Everyone who has visited the East Kazakhstan region says that only here you can understand what real fishing is. After all, only here you can catch a huge pike in the whirlpools and reed channels of the Black Irtysh and Lake Zaisan, or “outplay” the grayling and Siberian lenok - uskucha in the mountain rivers and Lake Markakol. There is a very high probability that your tackle will catch taimen - the king fish of Altai and Siberia, the cherished unique prize of every fisherman (however, you will have to release it, only sport fishing is allowed for it in Kazakhstan). You will visit places with deserted, harsh landscapes, protected fishing grounds, where ten-kilogram pikes are still preserved, where pike perch fatten. And on sandy beaches Humpbacked perches chase fish in the setting sun.

The main river of the region, the Irtysh, originates in the Mongolian Altai and flows into the Ob River. The total length of the water artery: Black Irtysh - Zaisan - Bukhtarma Reservoir - Irtysh - Ob is more than 6000 km and is only slightly inferior in length to the Nile and Mississippi along with Missouri. The length of the river within the region reaches 1311 km, and the width is 120-150 m. On its way, the Irtysh receives numerous tributaries (rivers): Tainty, Bukhtarma, Ubu, Kurchum, Narym, Karakaba, Ulbu, Kaindy, etc. In the south of the region, significant water The arteries are the rivers Bakanas, Ayagoz, Urjar, Emel. They originate on the southern slopes of the Chingiz and Western Tarbagatai ridges and flow in the direction of lakes Sasykkol, Alakol, Balkhash. There are 18 large lakes in the region, the largest of which are: Zaysan, Markokol, Alakol, Sebinsky, Ablaikit lakes. The Listvyaga, Kholzun, Ivanovsky, Ulbinsky and Ubinsky mountain ranges make up the Kazakh part of a huge mountainous country, united by the common name Altai. By itself high point Altai, Belukha Mountain, the border between Kazakhstan and Russia. Most of their mountain ranges are covered with dense taiga forests, and the peaks are covered with unmelting snow and glaciers. Mountain systems are separated by wide intermontane depressions. The largest of them are Zaisan and Alakol. The mighty Tarbagatai mountain range, covered with relict thickets of apple trees and aspen-birch floodplains, extends to the west. The western part of the region is occupied by the Kazakh small hills. Southern border The region ends with the Alakol depression with the drainless lakes Balkhash, Sasykol, Alakol.

Amazing, diverse plant and animal world Eastern Kazakhstan. About 90 percent of the republic's forest wealth is concentrated in the region. A significant part of the mountains is covered with taiga. Coniferous species predominate: spruce and fir. There are larch, poplar, birch, aspen, cedar; There are pine forests. There are a lot of mushrooms in mountain forests and aspen groves. There are huge tracts of bushes - thickets of bird cherry, mountain ash, honeysuckle, viburnum, rose hips, raspberries, currants, elm, hawthorn, juniper. Eastern Kazakhstan is famous for its herbs.

Hunting

The territory of the East Kazakhstan region is home to 380 species of birds. From hunting species in mountain forests and alpine meadows common: capercaillie, snowcock or mountain turkey, black grouse, different kinds ducks, gray goose, hazel grouse, white partridge. Along the mountain rivers and on Lake Markokol you can easily see the black stork, osprey, crossbills, nutcrackers, jays, and eagle owls are common in the mountain taiga forests; brown vultures, griffon vultures and bearded eagle, listed in the Red Book, are also found. Endemics of the Altai taiga: Altai buzzard, tundra partridge.

The steppe zone of the East Kazakhstan region is home to about 90 species of birds, including such rare Red Book birds as the bustard, jack, little bustard, and common bird. Waterbirds: white-tailed eagle, bittern, white and gray herons, gray goose, various ducks, great and gray-cheeked grebes, whooper swan, mute swan. They live on lakes and swamps different types snipe, gray crane, gulls, and migratory birds stop. In low and dry mountain ranges in the Tarbagatai, Ayaguz and Zaisan regions, the saker falcon is found. But its population suffered greatly during the falcon fever of the 1990s.

The mountain-taiga belt is home to typical taiga mammals: brown bear, elk, musk deer, Siberian chipmunk, white hare, lynx, deer, squirrel, wolverine, sable, ermine, otter; animals typical of both mountains and floodplains also live here and steppe ecosystems: roe deer, fox, ferret, badger, wolf, etc. A typical endemic is the Altai mole, it is widespread and is found both on the plain and in the mountains. The mountain steppes of Altai are characterized by burrowers: red-cheeked and long-tailed ground squirrels, marmots: Altai and Mongolian, or tarbagan. Among the small rodents, voles are numerous. On the rocky areas on the outskirts of the mountain steppes, the Daurian and Mongolian pikas, the jumping jerboa, the Djungarian hamster and the tolai hare, which does not change color in winter (there is very little snow on semi-desert landscapes), are common. In the vicinity of Lake Zaisan, the rare Djungarian salpingotus is found, the steppe cat, the hairy jerboa, the steppe pika, the Eversmann's hamster, the housekeeper vole, and the common mole vole are sporadically recorded. The muskrat is common in the valleys of all steppe rivers. In the floodplain of the Irtysh, around Lake Zaisan and in the Saur Mountains, wild boar is common.

In the Katon-Karagay, Kurchum and Markokol regions, the Siberian mountain goat - tek - is still common (although not numerous). Its numbers continue to decline slowly but surely.

Three subspecies of mountain sheep (argali) live in the East Kazakhstan region, or rather, more recently lived. Several years ago, in the Kurchum and Katon-Karagy regions, isolated encounters of argali of the Altai subspecies (Ovis ammon ammon) were noted. During the war, argali meat was prepared here on an industrial scale for shipment to the front. But as a result of pasture degradation and poaching, we can say that the Kazakh fauna has lost the Altai subspecies of argali. By the way, this is the most expensive subspecies of mountain sheep on the international hunting market.

Saur is home to a very rare and very expensive Saur subspecies of mountain sheep (Ovis ammon sairensis). Its numbers have grown significantly over the past five years, thanks to strict protection measures.

In Tarbagatai and in certain massifs of the Kazakh hillocks in the north-west of the region, the Central Kazakhstan subspecies of argali (Ovis ammon colium) is still preserved. A few years ago, huge herds of saiga entered the region - the Ayaguz district - but now this group has been completely destroyed.

A network of specially protected natural areas (specially protected natural areas) operates, although not particularly effectively: the Markokolsky, West Altai, Kuludzhunsky, Alakolsky, Nizhne-Turgusunsky and Tarbagataisky reserves and sanctuaries. But due to the peculiarities of normal financing of protected areas, nature in specially protected areas must be protected primarily from the “guards” themselves, that is, from the staff of rangers.

Currently, in the East Kazakhstan region you can excellently hunt wolves. The number of this predator has increased everywhere. Contrary to the opinion of Western hunters that hunting using Vehicle not sporty, many serious hunters in the East Kazakhstan region practice this very thing, not only very sporty, but even extreme view hunting. Firstly, hunting from a snowmobile is much more sporting than hunting from a car, and secondly, in Kazakhstan, where the alarmingly growing wolf population is causing damage to ungulates, different ethical requirements for hunting are required than in Europe, where the wolf is listed in the Red Book.

Markakol and its shores are fabulously picturesque: the purest transparent water, the shores are rich in various vegetation (fir, larch and herbs). When the wind blows lightly, the lake is covered with ridges of small white waves, which resembles the wavy, delicate skin of a young lamb. Perhaps that is why this lake has such a funny name.

The word “marka” means the local name for a young lamb, and “kol” means a lake.

You can learn in more detail about where Lake Markakol is located, what it is, about the attractions of its surroundings and much more by reading this article. But first of all, let’s briefly introduce general information about water bodies of Kazakhstan.

Reservoirs of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's water resources are not very rich, and they are distributed unevenly across its territory. In total, there are more than 85 thousand temporary reservoirs (periodically drying up), lakes and rivers in the republic. Their main source of food is glaciers and snow.

Most rivers belong to the closed internal basins of two seas (Caspian and Aral), as well as the largest lakes: Alakol, Balkhash and Tengiz. Only the Irtysh, Ishim and Tobol carry their waters to the Kara Sea.

These lakes are rich in a variety of freshwater fish. Perch, carp, crucian carp, bream, etc. are found here. Kazakhstan also has considerable reserves of underground water. Almost all mountain system there are a lot of beautiful things here mineral springs, allowing the development of resort and sanatorium services in these amazingly beautiful places.

The region borders China and Russia. Its territory expanded in 1997, when the former Semipalatinsk region was included in the republic. The city of Ust-Kamenogorsk is the administrative center. The region was formed in March 1932.

Three large hydroelectric power stations were built on the main river - Ust-Kamenogorskaya, Shulbinskaya and Bukhtarminskaya. In the region there are Alakol, Sasykkol and, as noted above, the most beautiful lake Markakol.

In terms of the richness of natural resources, the East Kazakhstan region is comparable to a crumpled and crumpled sheet of paper, which, when smoothed out, has a larger area with endless water and other natural resources. A wide variety of altitude zones and landscape zones are mixed here: flat steppes, mountains, forest-steppes, etc. Among all this wealth, this cleanest lake is located, which is described in more detail below in the article.

Lake Markakol

Kazakhstan, among its numerous natural reservoirs, has an amazingly beautiful Mountain Lake. Markakol is the largest Altai, located on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakh Altai). Its surface area is 455 square meters. kilometers, and maximum depth its - 30 meters. The length of the lake is 38 kilometers, width - 19 km.

The reservoir delights with the various shades of the water surface in different weather conditions. The water has a blue or blue tint on a clear day; when the weather changes, the surface of the lake becomes gray-black, with wonderful silvery tints.

Lake Markakol is located in the mountains, at an altitude of 1448 meters. Baikal is 70 times larger in area, but the water in both of them is fresh, and some types of fish are exactly the same.

The location of the lake is a basin between the Kurchum and Azutau mountains. About 70 rivers flow into Markakol, and only one (the Kaldzhir River) originates from here. It should be noted that the Kaldzhir River, leaving the lake, flows into the

The southern shores of the lake are steep, and the northern shores are low. In summer, the water on the surface warms up to 17 °C, and at the bottom - up to 7 °C. It opens in November and May.

Origin

According to geologists, the lake is very old - it has existed since glacial times. It also feeds on underground waters. Markakol is also called the lake of a hundred rivers.

The origin of the reservoir is associated with one of the glacial phases of the Alpine tectonic cycle. In ancient times, as a result of uplifts and subsequent faults, a certain system of modern intermountain depressions and ridges was created, which were later subjected to the effects of glaciation. Traces of the last event are especially well expressed on the Kurchum ridge, on its watershed parts.

Legend

Markakol is a lake about which amazingly beautiful legends are written. For example, one of the most common tells about a story that happened to a little lamb.

Between the mountains, in a valley near a clear spring, one day a father and son were herding sheep. There was one playful lamb in their flock - marka (the word means “born in winter”). At one point the lamb ran to drink water from the spring. Suddenly he began to be pulled into the water. The shepherd boy, seeing this, rushed to the aid of the lamb to help him get out, but he failed, after which he called his father for help. Only the two of them were able to save the mark. From the place where this happened, water gushed out in a huge stream, which flooded the entire pasture, and then the entire valley... Since then, according to stories local residents southern Altai, the resulting lake began to be called Markakol - “lake of winter lamb”. However, many scientists adhere to their own scientific point of view of the origin of the reservoir.

Reserve

Markakolsky state reserve, located in the southern Altai, is a wonderful place where deciduous forests grow on the rocky ledges of the mountains, occasionally interspersed with fir trees, where birches, Siberian spruces and aspens grow near rivers and meadows. This nature reserve is a beautiful area where you can find bush species such as raspberries, honeysuckle, rose hips and currants.

It's difficult to get to. You need to cross the stormy “Zhaman Kaaba” (river) 5 times and overcome the most picturesque but difficult pass. The main attraction of these amazingly beautiful places is the mountain lake, which is the crown of beauty not only of the reserve, but of the entire Southern Altai.

Fish, mammals and birds

The most common fish species in Lake Markakol are grayling and lenok (uskuch).

It should be noted that Uskuch is found only in this lake. It is a local analogue of the lenok fish, which over the long years of isolation has acquired its own individual characteristics. This is a fairly valuable fish, comparable to salmon.

Unfortunately, although it is located at a decent distance from civilization, Markakol suffers greatly from human invasion. Poachers also come here to obtain valuable caviar. Therefore, a reserve was created in these places.

According to the stories of local old-timers, in the streams and rivers flowing into Lake Markakol, in the middle of the last century there were so many grayling and uskus that even cows and horses could not enter the water during spawning (they were afraid) - schools of fish knocked the cattle off their feet. Fishermen even came across fish weighing up to 30 kilograms. These days you don't see them...

Among the mammals, wolverines, sables, red wolves (the rarest) and even moose live here.

Markakol is a lake, on the coastal territory of which many birds live: wild storks. The latter are the attraction of these places. These very rare birds nest on the crowns of large trees and on rocks along the shores of Lake Markakol. It should be noted that they are monogamous, and their pairs remain for life.

Today Markakol is a lake, along the shores of which a lone black stork wanders from dawn to dusk. The cautious and secretive bird is not at all afraid of people. There are many other birds in the reserve. Loons, gulls, ducks, grebes and waders nest here. The forests have become a haven for hazel grouse, black grouse, wood grouse and partridges.

A little about the climate

The climate is typically continental. Winter here is quite harsh, with a lot of snow falling. The temperature is 55 degrees below zero. The average annual value is 4.1 degrees Celsius, and it corresponds to the lowest temperature in Southern Altai.

IN summer time air temperature can rise to 29 degrees. The average daily temperature remains above zero for 162 days a year, and below zero for 203 days.

Conclusion

The nature of these places is fabulously rich and multifaceted. Absolutely all the natural areas here are magnificent.

Everyone who has ever visited these fabulous Beautiful places wishes to return again and spend at least some time alone with the delightful unique nature.

The east of Kazakhstan is a veritable storehouse of minerals. It seems that here Mother Nature has “buried” everything valuable - from non-ferrous and rare metals to coal and oil shale - in one place. People have long appreciated the importance of this area, where supplies of raw materials seem inexhaustible. And the mighty Irtysh, which rotates the turbines of a powerful cascade of hydroelectric power stations, helps to extract them.

WATER ALL AROUND

About half of all freshwater reserves in Kazakhstan are concentrated in the East Kazakhstan region.

The East Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan is located in the extreme northeast of the country, in the basin of the upper Irtysh. Most of the territory is located in the Altai mountains. The highest altitudes are in the northeast, within the Katunsky ridge, where the mountains are higher than 4000 m. The right bank of the Irtysh is occupied by ridges, plateaus and intermountain basins of the Rudny and Southern Altai, cut by deep river valleys. The Rudny Altai ridges - Ubinsky, Ivanovsky, Ulbinsky - rise above 2000 m; ridges of Southern Altai - Kurchumsky, Sarymsakty, Narymsky, Southern Altai- above 3000 m.

To the south of Altai there is a wide Zaisan depression, bounded from the south by the Tarbagatai and Saur ridges with eternal glaciers on the peaks. A relatively small territory of the region is occupied by the Kalbinsky mountain range, small hilly plains, the Kazakh small hills (in the extreme north-west), the Balkhash-Alakol depression in the south, and vast plains along the rivers.

More than 40% of all water reserves in Kazakhstan are concentrated in the East Kazakhstan region, through which about 885 rivers flow. In addition, there are approximately 1000 lakes.

The main river of the region is the Irtysh. From China it enters Kazakhstan under the name Black Irtysh, crosses the Zaisan depression and flows into the large flowing lake Zaisan, 105 km long and 22-48 km wide.

The lake is known for its abundance of fish: pike perch, pike, burbot, perch, ide, tench, crayfish, bream, crucian carp, grayling, trout. A river flows out of Lake Zaisan under the name Irtysh. The powerful pressure of the Irtysh made it possible to build a cascade of hydroelectric power stations on it: Bukh-Tarminskaya, Ust-Kamenogorskaya, Shulbinskaya.

The border with the Altai Republic runs along the watershed of the Bukhtarma River.

The flora of the East Kazakhstan region is characterized by vertical zonation. The lower belt of mountains is occupied by mountain steppes, and higher by a mountain-forest belt (birch, aspen, poplar, fir, spruce, larch, cedar). At an altitude of 2-3 thousand m there are subalpine and alpine meadows. Along the banks of the Irtysh there are pine forests.

The fauna of the region is extremely rich in species, mainly fur-bearing animals: light polecat, weasel weasel, badger. The maral, a large animal of the deer family, has been preserved here. In Soviet times, muskrat and Barguzin sable were acclimatized here, and black and brown fox were bred. The Markakolsky Nature Reserve was created to protect animals from poachers.

Eastern Kazakhstan historically connected Southern Siberia and Altai with Semirechye and Central Asia. Man appeared here back in the Ice Age, populating the upper reaches of the Irtysh. During the Bronze Age, primitive metallurgy was already developing here. VIII century BC e. - the beginning of the era of early nomads - the Ari-Masnov and Saka tribes. In the first centuries A.D. e. here began the formation of patriarchal-feudal relations that dominated the nomads until the 20th century. From the XVI-XVII centuries. these lands are part of the Russian kingdom, Russian cities and villages are being built.

During the time of Tsarist Russia, there were several important strategic border fortifications on the border with China. IN Soviet time in 1932, the East Kazakhstan region was formed with the administrative center in Semipalatinsk; in 1939, a separate Semipalatinsk region was separated from it, and the administrative center of the reduced East Kazakhstan region was moved to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. In 1997, after the proclamation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the territory of the abolished Semipalatinsk region was again included in the region.

The East Kazakhstan region is located in the central part of Eurasia. In the north it borders with Russia, in the east - with China, in the south, west and northwest - with the Almaty, Karaganda and Pavlodar regions of Kazakhstan.

EDGE OF THE RISING SUN

The region's coat of arms depicts rising Sun, reminiscent of the fact that this eastern region is the first in Kazakhstan to meet the dawn.

Russians and Kazakhs make up the absolute majority of the region's population; both groups are approximately equal. The share of Kazakhs is steadily increasing, and not so much due to natural growth, but due to the constant migration of Russians to Russia and other countries.

A significant group of the population are Germans: these are the descendants of German settlers who developed these places under Tsarist Russia in the 19th century. They are part of the ethnic group of Russian German Lutherans, Catholics and Menno-Nites, but they prefer their mono-ethnic environment, trying to avoid mixed marriages with Russians and especially Muslim Kazakhs.

Communities of Chechens and Crimean Tatars, whose ancestors were resettled in these areas after World War II. True, a significant part of the Chechen and Tatar population had already left Kazakhstan after the collapse of the USSR.

The East Kazakhstan region is perhaps the richest in mineral resources among other regions of Kazakhstan: there are non-ferrous metals, gold, rare metals, coal and oil shale, non-metallic raw materials (refractory raw materials, expanded clay, limestone), as well as underground mineral and drinking water water.

Non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering and metalworking, woodworking, light and food industries operate on the basis of local raw materials.

The abundance of precipitation, along with a long growing season in the foothills, makes it possible to engage in farming without the use of irrigation; non-irrigated grain farming predominates in agriculture. A very important role in transport network region plays a role in shipping along the Irtysh.

In 1720, at the place where the Irtysh and Ulba merge, the Russian fortress of Ust-Kamenogorsk was founded, so named because it was in this place that the Irtysh burst out of its mouth stone mountains. During the Great Patriotic War, the city received a significant number of evacuated enterprises and institutions. It has maintained its specialization since Soviet times, remaining the center of non-ferrous metallurgy in Kazakhstan.

The city of Kurchatov is named after the Soviet physicist Igor Vasilyevich Kurchatov (1902/1903-1960) - the “father” of Soviet atomic bomb, who lived and worked in this city (previously it was called Semipalatinsk, Moscow 400). Kurchatov is the former center of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, which was closed in 1991. It is located 45 kilometers from the experimental field where the first atomic and thermonuclear bombs of the USSR were tested.

The city of Ridder was founded in 1786 and named after the mining officer Philip Ridzer, who discovered a deposit of polymetallic ores here and founded a mine called Ridder.

The city of Semey (Semipalatinsk) is located in the western part of the East Kazakhstan region and is the first largest city in the region. Located on both banks of the Irtysh River flowing through the city. It is primarily known for being the scientific and administrative center of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, where in 1949 the first nuclear weapon test in the USSR was carried out - a bomb with a yield of 22 kilotons. In 2007, local authorities renamed the city Semey, stating that there was a “strong association among investors and people of the city’s name with the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and colonization by the Russian Empire.”

FUN FACTS

■ The color range of Lake Markakol is varied: from blue or blue in clear weather to gray-black, silver when the weather changes. The state of the water surface changes many times during the day.

■ Philip Ridzer (1759-1838), after whom the East Kazakhstan city is named, was born into the family of a Russified St. Petersburg gold embroidery manufacturer, the son of the merchant Ridzer, the grandson of a Swedish military doctor captured by the Russians after the Battle of Poltava in 1709.

■ The name of the Semipalatnaya fortress, and then the city of Semipalatinsk, comes from seven Buddhist Kalmyk temples that existed near the Dzungar settlement of Dorzhinkit (Tsordzhiinkiid)
and disappeared without a trace.

■ In 1949-1989. At the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, at least 456 nuclear tests were carried out, in which at least 616 nuclear and thermonuclear devices were detonated, including at least 30 ground nuclear explosions and at least 86 airborne ones.

■ The name of Mount Belukha comes from the abundant snow that covers the mountain from the top to the very base. In August 2003, Dmitry Shchitov (Russia) made an extremely risky ski descent from Belukha; the descent lasted about two hours.

■ The Bukhtarma River is considered the prototype of the folklore “Belovodye” - a country with milk rivers (this is the real color of the water in the river) and jelly banks.

ATTRACTIONS

■ Historical: sites of ancient hunters of the Neolithic era (Zyryanovsk, Ust-Narym), ancient astronomical laboratory Ak-Baur, Berel necropolis, ruins of the Dzungarian fortress-monastery Ablaikit (XVII century), Berel earthen burial ground.
■ Natural: Mount Belukha, Lake Markakol, Mark-Kol State Nature Reserve, Western Altai National Nature Reserve, geological reference section Kiin-Kirish tract, Kuludzhunsky Nature Reserve, Kok-Kol waterfall, Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi (hot springs), Kok-Kolskie deposits, Ukok plateau (Northern branch of the Great Silk Road).
■ City of Ayagoz: Mazar of Kozy Korpesh - Bayan Sulu (X-XI centuries), mausoleum of the poet Aktailak Biya (XVIII century).
■ City of Ust-Kamenogorsk: Regional Museum of History and Local Lore, East Kazakhstan Regional Architectural-Ethnographic and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, East Kazakhstan Museum of Art, monument to Abay Kunanbayev, memorial Complex“Victory”, “Zhastar” park, Ust-Kamenogorsk building railway station, monument to the founder of the city of the Life Guards, Major Ivan Mikhailovich Likharev, the house of Mikhail Shilyaev (beginning of the 20th century), St. Zinovievsky Church, Holy Trinity Orthodox Monastery, Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Novo-Pokrovsky Church, Holy -Trinity Church, Muhamadi Mosque (built on the site of a former cemetery).
■ City of Semey: Yamyshev Gate (1773). one-minaret stone mosque (first half of the 19th century), Museum of History and Local Lore (former house of the Governor-General, 1856), two-minaret cathedral mosque (1858-1861), Voskresensky orthodox cathedral(1857-1860), the building of the former men's gymnasium (1872), convent (1899), Abai Literary Memorial House Museum, Dostoevsky Literary Memorial House Museum (in the house where he lived in 1857 -1859), Church of Saints Peter and Paul (late 19th century), Chinese Consulate building (1903), Pumping Station building (1910), East Kazakhstan Regional Museum fine arts named after the Nevzorov family (1985), a suspension bridge over the Irtysh River.

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