Tian Shan

The Talas and Chatkal highlands form part of the western Tian Shan, a country of steep ridges and river valleys between the Talas and Fergana regions. Forests and wild fruit trees grow on some slopes, while high meadows and rocky summits lie above them. Streams descend from snowfields into the valleys that lead toward the Naryn and Syr Darya. The mountain passes separate neighbouring basins but also provide routes between their pastures and settlements.