Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan

Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan
 
Tien Shan, Chinese (Pinyin) Tian Shan or (Wade-Giles romanization) T’ien Shan, Russian Tyan Shan, great mountain system of Central Asia. Its name is Chinese for “Celestial Mountains.” Stretching about 1,500 miles (2,500 km) from west-southwest to east-northeast, it mainly straddles the border between China and Kyrgyzstan and bisects the ancient territory of Turkistan. It is about 300 miles (500 km) wide in places at its eastern and western extremities but narrows to about 220 miles (350 km) in width at the centre.
 
The ranges are of the alpine type, with steep slopes; glaciers occur along their crests.The forests of the Tien Shan alternate with steppes and meadows. Forests are found principally on the northern slopes and range between elevations of about 5,000 and 10,000 feet (1,500 and 3,000 metres). On the lower slopes of the outer ranges, the forests are mainly deciduous, consisting of maple and aspen, with extensive admixtures of wild fruit trees (apples and apricots). Vast areas of the southwestern slopes of the Fergana Kyrka Mountains are occupied by ancient nut-bearing forests. Stands of pistachio, walnut, and juniper are found up to 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) on the shaded slopes of several western and southern Tien Shan ranges. North and east of the Fergana Valley, coniferous forests predominate. At the upper boundary they are often replaced by sparse juniper forests.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Tien-Shan/Geology
 
Photography: Graham Pritchard
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