Mugalzhar (Kazakh: Мұғалжар), also known as Mugodzhar Hills or Mugodzhar Range (Russian: Мугоджары),[1] is a mountain range of moderate height in the Aktobe Region of northwestern Kazakhstan.

Mugalzhar
Мұғалжар / Мугоджары
Birch grove in the Mugalzhar
Highest point
PeakUlken Baktybay
Elevation657 m (2,156 ft)
Coordinates48°38′38″N 58°32′47″E / 48.64389°N 58.54639°E / 48.64389; 58.54639
Dimensions
Length200 km (120 mi) N/S
Width30 km (19 mi) E/W
Geography
Mugalzhar is located in Kazakhstan
Mugalzhar
Mugalzhar
Location
Mugalzhar is located in European Russia
Mugalzhar
Mugalzhar
Mugalzhar (European Russia)
LocationKazakhstan
Range coordinates48°39′N 58°33′E / 48.650°N 58.550°E / 48.650; 58.550
Geology
Rock age(s)Precambrian, Paleozoic
Rock type(s)Sandstone, conglomerate, quartzite, schist, gneiss, granite, shale

Geography

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Stretching in a roughly north/south direction, the Mugalzhar is a southern prolongation of the Ural Mountains. The northernmost section a narrow ridge that branches into two almost parallel ridges separated by the gently undulating 20 kilometers (12 mi) Alabass Basin (Russian: Алабасская котловина).[2]

The Mugalzhar has a length of about 200 kilometers (120 mi) with a width of 30 kilometers (19 mi). It stretches from the Or River (река Орь) as a narrow range that further south splits in two: the Eastern Mugalzhar and Western Mugalzhar. The highest point is 657 meters (2,156 ft) high Mount Ulken Baktybay (Boktybay [ru]), rising in the Eastern Mugalzhar.[3][4][5]

Located at the southern end, the Shoshkakol Buirat is a spur of low hills reaching a height of 408 meters (1,339 ft).[4] In the northern section, the wider Mugalzhar connects with the Guberlin Mountains.[3]

Hydrography

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The Mugalzhar forms the divide between the Caspian and Aral Sea basins.[2] Some of the rivers having their sources in the Mugalzhar are Or, Emba, Irgiz, Zhylandysay, Bolgasyn and Kauylzhyr.[4][3]

References

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  1. ^ Gory Mugodzhary Geonames
  2. ^ a b "Мугоджары". Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ a b c "M-40 Topographic Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "L-40 Topographic Chart (in Russian)". Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. ^ Google Earth
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