The Altai is the Asian mountain range, located on the territories of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. The Altai, the total length of which is about 2000 km, was formed during the Caledonian and Hercynian orogenies. The name of the range comes from Turkish words Al (golden) and tau (come in). The Altai is divided into three mountain ranges: The Altai (highest summit - Belukha Mountain, 4506 m, the Mongolian Altai (highest summit - Khuiten Peak, 4374 m) and the Gobi Altai (highest summit - Ich Bogd uul, 3957 m). In 1998 the Altai was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List, and in 2009 on the list of biosphere reserves.
