Tajikistan is a mountainous country. 93% of its territory is surrounded by mountains and faces the highest mountain systems of Central Asia: Tien Shan and Pamir. Almost half of the territory of Tajikistan is located at an altitude of more than 3000 m. Huge mountains with numerous gorges and canyons, through the base of which mountain rivers flow. It should also be noted that the mountains of Tajikistan arose in different eras.
Mountains in Tajikistan Mountains of Tajikistan
The mountain chain of the Kuraminsky Range and the Mogoltau Mountains are located far to the north of the Republic, they are part of the structural mountain structure of the western Tien Shan. The length of the Kuraminsky Range is almost 170 km. The highest peak (Babai-ob, 3768 m) is located in the north-eastern part of the mountain range. A small isolated Mogoltau ridge rises in the south-west of the Kuraminsky mountain range, its height reaches 1623 m. Mogoltau is isolated by the Mirzarabat pass, extending along the Syrdarya River for 40 km. The Kumenyan mountain range and the Mogoltau mountains have a height of 320 - 500 m; the left bank part - between the river and the foot of the Turkestan mountain range, rises gradually to the south to 1000 m
Then follows the Ferghana Valley. The valley is located between the Chatkal mountain range and the Kuraminsky ridge, and the Mogoltau mountains, from the northwest between the Turkestan and Alai ridges. The height of the Ferghana Valley varies from 320 m on the islands and rivers of the Syrdarya, and up to 800-1000 m in the foothills surrounding the valley. To the west of the Ferghana Valley, there is the Hungry Steppe Plain, the largest area of which is located in Tajikistan. Its absolute height is 250-300 m.
The Gissar mountain ranges occupy a central place in the territory of Tajikistan and face the south of the Tien Shan, including Turkestan, Zarafshan, Gissar, Karategin and Alai mountain ranges. They are surrounded by the Ferghana Valley from the north, Gissar, Surkhobob and the Alai River from the south. The total length of the mountain ranges of this system from west to north is approximately 900 km.
The Turkestan Range stretches for 200 km. between the Fergana and Zarafshan valleys. Reaching a high altitude in the eastern part (Pyramidal Peak, 5621 m ), gradually falls in the north and ends with the Nuratau mountain range in Uzbekistan. The southern and northern slopes of Turkestan are very different: the southern one is almost snowless (8-14 km); the northern slope is longer and its snow levels reach 3500-4000 m. Glaciers are located only in the eastern part of the mountain range.
The most significant of them is Rama (20 km). The roads connecting the Zarafshan and Fergana valleys pass through the Turkestan mountain ranges, many of which are up to 4000 m or more in height.
The most important among them is the Shakhristan pass (3351 m). Part of the ridge between the Fandarya and Kshtut rivers was called the "Fan Mountains", which are distinguished by their complexity and colossal height (Chimtarga 5495 m).
The Gissar Range is separated from the Zarafshan Range, forming a watershed between the Amu Darya and Zarafshan basins. Its highest point is located in the eastern and middle parts (peak, has the name of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) - 4688 km, peak Kaznok-4491 m). The Gissar mountain range has many passes, the most significant of which is the Anzob pass (3372 m). The Hissar valley (which is approximately 100 km long and 1.5 km to 24 km wide) is widened at its foot. The Vakhsh valley is located in the South - 110 km., width 7 - 25 km.
The Pamir Mountains occupy the eastern part of the Pamir mountain system, where two regions stand out: the Western Pamir and the Eastern Pamir. The border between these regions connects the Zulumart mountain range with the Usoy dam and Lake Yashilkul.
The short and meridional ridge of the Academy of Sciences is considered the main component of the Pamir Mountains, the average height of which is 5757 m. The lowest pass of Kashal-Ayak (4340 m) is almost at the level of Mont Blanc, the highest peak of the Alps. The highest peak of this ridge - the peak of Ismoil Samoni (the former peak of Communism) reaches 7495 m. Several glaciers flow down the slopes of the peak, merging with the Garmo glacier. In the northern part of the mountain range, there is the peak of E. Korzhenevskaya (7105 m). The Western Pamirs are characterized by the diversity of their surface and the contrast of their heights. The foot of the mountain ranges is located at an altitude of 1700 - 1800 m above sea level, and rises to 6000 m and above. From the north, the Pamirs are surrounded by the Zaalai Range (which is 95 km long). The highest mountainous Pamir highway connecting the city of Osh with the center of GBAO-Khorog, passes through the Kizylart pass -4280 m. In the eastern part of the Pamirs, the Sarykol mountain range (whose height is 5909 m) is located, passing along the state border with China. Details about the Pamir Mountains
Ak-Su. Approximately 120 km south of the city of Khujand, there is a wonderful mountainous area Ak-Su, famous for the beauty of untouched nature and extraordinary mountains. The tops of some mountains "go off scale" for 5000 meters. These are Ak-Su (5355 m), Blok (5239 m), Iskander (5120 m) and others. These mountains are made of dense granite with small ledges and cracks. It seems almost impossible to climb them, but climbers easily climb the rocky surface, conquering new peaks. The beautiful, easily accessible gorges and passes of the area create ideal conditions for trekking and horseback riding.