Hissar Mountains

High ranges of the Pamir-Alay rise east of the Zarafshan valley, where steep ridges divide the tributaries flowing toward the great river. Snow and ice feed mountain streams, and narrow gorges connect the upland basins with more sheltered valleys below. These mountains stand between the Fergana and Zarafshan regions, forming part of the long chain of barriers and passes that shape movement through Central Asia's interior.