eng |
 rus |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Republic of Khakassia
 |
 |
 |
More photographs
Hiking tours to Khakassia 2010: Karatosh valley
The Republic of Khakassia is situated in the southern part of Eastern Siberia and borders with the Kemerovo Region in the north-west and the Altai Republic and the Republic of Tuva in the south and south-west. It is situated in the valleys of the Abakan and Yenisei Rivers and also occupies the Minusinsk Basin and part of the Chulym-Yenisei Valley. The Kuznetsky Alatau Mountains serve as western boundary of the Kemerovo Region. The southern border with the Altai Republic and Tuva stratches along the Western Sayan ranges. The Dzhebashsky Range and Yenisei River form Khakassia's eastern boundary. The only border without a distinctly defined natural boundary is the northern border with the Krasnoyarsk Territory that crosses the vast open territory of the Chulym-Yenisei Valley. The republic extends 460 km from north to south and 200 km from west to east.
Khakassia climate is severe continental with cold winters and hot summers. The average temperatures are above zero for 200 days per year, and the weather is much sunnier than in western parts of the country. The natural landscapes of the Republic of Khakassia are picturesque and varied. There are steppes hills on the noth of Khakassia and woody mountains on the south-east. Karatosh mountain (2930m) is highest point of Khakassia republic.
There are 230 large and small rivers in the republic and nearly 300 mountain and steppe lakes, both saline and freshwater. Lake Shira with its curative waters attract thousands tourists from all Siberia. The resort on Lake Shira is has the status of a republican significance resort.
The republic borders with the industrial Kuzbass in the west and with the developed districts of Irkutsk Region and Transbaikal in the east. The republic has all main kinds of transport operating on its territory. Khkassia has one of the highest railway densities in Siberia and the Russian Far East. The republic has a beautiful natural environment with everything necessary for productive work, recreation, and leisure. Khakassia is an important agricultural region that mainly focuses on raising beef and dairy cattle and sheep. Khakassia is also the largest wheat producer in Eastern Siberia.
The Republic of Khakassia is divided into 5 cities, including 3 under republican authority (Abakan, Chernogorsk, Sayanogorsk) and 2 under district authority (Abaza, Sorsk); 8 rural districts; and 79 rural and village territories.
Wildlife of republic present wolf, lynx, goat, hare, deer. In north steppes part you can see demoiselle crane, coot and different ducks.