Altai is the mountain range in Asia that ranges through the territories of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Russia. Mountain and high-mountain climate that is prevalent in the Altai influences the occurrence of beautiful glaciers (their number is estimated at about 800) of total area of 600 km2 as well as stagnant and running water basins - lakes (there are over 3000 of them) and rivers (the Altai is the area where the sources of the Ob and Irtysh Rivers are). The Altai lakes are located in the high-mountain part of the range (1700-2500 m above the sea level) where meadows and tundra occur. There are many rare species of plants and animals living in the Altai, thanks to that in 2009 it was enlisted on the list of biosphere reserves.
