Kakshaal Too
| Kakshaal Too | |
|---|---|
| Кокшаал Тоо | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Jengish Chokusu |
| Elevation | 7,439 m (24,406 ft) |
| Coordinates | 41°40′12″N 79°00′00″E / 41.67000°N 79.00000°E |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 582 km (362 mi) E–W |
| Width | 54 km (34 mi) N–S |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | 'Wild Mountain' |
| Native name | Какшаал Тоо (Kyrgyz) |
| Geography | |
Kakshaal Too | |
| Countries | Kyrgyzstan and China |
The Kakshaal Too (Kyrgyz: Какшаал Тоо, قاقشاال توو, IPA: [qɑqˈʃɑːɫ toː]) is a large mountain range in the Central Tian Shan. It stretches for a length of 582 kilometres (362 mi) (in Kyrgyzstan) between Kyrgyzstan and China. The width of the range is 54 kilometres (34 mi) and the highest point – Jengish Chokusu (7,439 metres (24,406 ft)).
Topography
The range consists of three parts:
- Eastern section: Known as Bozkyr, extending to the Saryjaz Gorge with branches like Kayyndy, Koykap, and Maybash.
- Central section: Includes branches like Karaichketoo, Akzoo, Jangart, Üchchoku, and Kaichy.
- Western section: Includes Karakyr and Torugart descending towards the Aksai Valley and settling into Cenozoic deposits.
The southern slopes are steep (50–60°), while the northern ones are gentler (30–40°). The ridges are sharp and often rugged, with many gorges and rocky cliffs. Major passes include Bedel, Kogirim, Bikirtik, Kaichy, Karabel, Akögüz, and Suuktör (4,200 m).[1]
Landscapes
The landscapes include high-altitude steppes (2800 – 3100 m), Alpine meadows (3100 – 3500 m), high-altitude tundra steppes (3400 – 3800 m), and glacial-nival belt (above 3800 m).[2]
Geology
The Kakshaal Too lies within the southern Tien Shan and formed during the Hercynian orogeny. Structurally, it consists of a mega-anticlinal formation trending northeast. It is mainly composed of limestones, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates, and argillites of Paleozoic intruded by granites, granosyenite, and syenite.[2][1]
References
- ^ a b "Какшаал тоо тизмеги" [Kakshaal Too] (PDF). Кыргызстандын Географиясы [Geography of Kyrgyzstan] (in Kyrgyz). Bishkek. 2004. pp. 43–44.
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b Иссык-Куль. Нарын:Энциклопедия [Encyclopedia of Issyk-Kul and Naryn Oblasts] (in Russian). Bishkek: Chief Editorial Board of Kyrgyz Soviet Encyclopedia. 1994. p. 512. ISBN 5-89750-009-6.