The Urals

The Ural Range extends about 2,400km from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the plains of Kazakhstan in the south. It is a remnant of old mountains with the highest point, Gora Norodnaya (1,894m), in the extreme north. Despite its mature and rounded topography, the Urals stands out as a distinct feature amidst the surrounding lowlands and form a physical boundary between Asia and Europe. The range can be considered in three sections. The northern section beyond 61° north is narrow and craggy with a sub-polar climate. Reindeer herding is an important economic activity, while the leading industries are forestry and timber products. The central section, between 51° and 61° N is very low and well forested. However, mining is the most important industry in the area. The southern section has three parallel chains divided by intramontane basins. Woodlands constitute an extensive part of the area. The main occupations are agriculture and specialisation in horse-breeding and apiculture. The aboriginal population are the Khanty and Mansi in the north and the Bashkir in the south.