Give an assessment of the natural conditions of Siberia for the life, life and economic activities of people. Economic assessment of natural conditions and resources of the East Siberian economic region

Eastern Siberia is one of the regions richest in natural resources in the country. It contains 30% of the balance coal reserves, 40% of the total timber reserves, 44% of cost-effective hydropower resources, 25% of the river flow, a significant part of the reserves of gold, deposits of copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum raw materials, mining chemical raw materials, graphite, iron ores and others. mineral. Its recreational, agricultural and territorial resources are huge and diverse. Large reserves of natural resources and favorable conditions their operation is determined high efficiency their involvement in economic circulation.
The development of the Kansk-Achinsk lignite basin is of great importance for the country's economy. The basin is located along the Trans-Siberian Railway for 700 km, its width is from 50 to 300 km. The deposits have one powerful (from 10 to 90 m) layer. Coal can be mined open way. The overburden ratio is from 1 to 3 cubic meters. m/t. Heat of combustion of working fuel 2800 - 4600 kcal/kg. According to the ash content, they are classified as low and medium ash (8 - 12%). The sulfur content does not exceed 0.9%. Potential possibilities of the Kansko-Achinsk basin make it possible to bring the annual coal production up to 1 billion tons.
The Minusinsk coal basin is located in the Republic of Khakassia. General geological reserves of coal are estimated at 32.5 billion tons, including 2.8 billion tons for industrial categories A + B + C1. Coals occur at a depth of up to 300 m. The thickness of coal seams is from 1 to 20 m. Coefficient overburden 4 - 5 cu. m/t.
Ulugkhemsky coal basin (Tuva) concentrates 17.9 billion tons of general geological reserves of coal. The pool is underdeveloped. Explored reserves are over 1 billion tons.
The general geological reserves of the Tunguska coal basin reach 2,345 billion tons, including 4.9 billion tons of explored reserves. At present, the Norilsk and Kayerkan deposits are being exploited in the basin, which provide Norilsk Mining and Metallurgical Plant with fuel. Of primary interest is the development of the Kokuyskoye deposit (lower reaches of the Angara). Here it is possible to build a cut with a capacity of 10 million tons of coal per year.
The Irkutsk basin has general geological reserves of coal of 76 billion tons, including 7 billion tons of category A + B + C1. The thickness of coal seams is 4 - 12 m. Overburden ratio 3.5 - 7 cu. m/t. Most of the explored coal reserves of the Irkutsk basin are available for open pit mining. Separate deposits are distinguished by a high sulfur content (7 - 8%) and cannot be exploited (Karantsai).
In Transbaikalia, three deposits can be developed by open pit mining: Kharanorskoye, Tataurovskoye and Tugnuiskoye. The general geological reserves of coals in Transbaikalia are estimated at 23.8 billion tons, including 5.3 billion tons for industrial categories. Most of the coals here are of poor quality. In some cases, deposits are located in floodplains (Tataurovskoye) and have overburden rocks of considerable strength (Tugnuyskoye). Open-pit mines with a total capacity of 40 million tons of coal per year can be built at the deposits of Transbaikalia.
A special place in Eastern Siberia is occupied by hydropower resources, their potential is estimated at 997 billion kW/h. The region ranks first among the country's energy bases in terms of the efficient use of hydropower resources.
In the Angaro-Yenisei region, there is a possibility of building hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of over 60 million kW. The average capacity of hydroelectric power plants in the Yenisei basin is 12 times the capacity of hydroelectric power plants in the country (3.6 million kW compared to 0.3 million kW).
Large capacities of hydroelectric power plants in the Yenisei basin are achieved due to a favorable combination natural conditions: high water content of rivers and aging of river valleys, favoring the construction of high dams and the creation of capacious reservoirs. River valleys are characterized by a deep cut into the surface, rocky banks and the presence of rocks at the base of structures. As a result, the hydroelectric power plants of the Angara-Yenisei region are relatively cheap compared to other hydrocascades in the country. The area of ​​flooded agricultural land in the Yenisei basin per 1 million kWh of electricity generation is 20 times less than the national average.
At present, Eastern Siberia accounts for 8.5% of the total Russian industrial iron ore reserves. There are nine iron ore districts in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Of these, the Angaro-Ilimsky and Angaro-Pitsky districts stand out in terms of reserves and efficiency of the use of iron ore.
Among the most important tasks is the further development mineral resource base aluminum industry of Eastern Siberia. Aluminum plants still use imported raw materials, although in Eastern Siberia it is available in large quantities. It is represented by five groups, uniting nine types of mineral raw materials.
The most common deposits of nepheline rocks. They contain less alumina and are more labor intensive to mine and process. Nevertheless, the large reserves of nepheline ores and the shortage of bauxite-containing raw materials in the region determine their leading role in ensuring aluminum production.
Nepheline rocks are known in 20 deposits. They are concentrated in the Yenisei Ridge, the Eastern Sayan Mountains and the Sangilen Range. The most efficient for exploitation is the Goryachegorsk deposit of aluminum raw materials. Bauxites - the richest alumina raw material - were found in the Tatar and Bakhtinsko-Turukhansky regions. But bauxite deposits are either located at a great distance from industrial centers, or geologically poorly understood.
The Norilsk region has unique reserves of complex copper-nickel ores. In addition to a set of basic components (nickel, copper, cobalt), Norilsk ores contain gold, iron, silver, tellurium, selenium, and sulfur. Ores are represented by three types: rich, cuprous, disseminated. The deposits of the Norilsk region contain 38% of Russian copper reserves, about 80% of nickel reserves. On their basis, one of the largest Russian Federation Norilsk Mining and Metallurgical Combine. Near Norilsk, two deposits of complex ores are being exploited: Oktyabrskoye and Talnakhskoye.
Between 1986 and 1990 Preparations began for the development of the Gorevsky lead-zinc deposit. On the basis of this deposit, which has no equal in terms of lead reserves, the largest mining and processing plant is being formed. The development of the deposit will allow to increase the production of lead in Russia by 3 times.
The amount of one-time capital investments required for the development of the Gorevsky deposit (including the cost of hydraulic facilities) will be 1.5 times higher than for other lead-zinc deposits in the country scheduled for operation. However, due to the large scale of the mine's production operations and favorable technical and economic indicators of ore processing, the development of the Gorevskoye deposit should be profitable. Production costs at the Gorevsky Mining and Processing Plant will be 2.5 times lower than the industry average. Capital investments will pay off in 2.5 years.
Large polymetallic deposits in the region are also Kyzyl-Tashtygskoye, Ozernoye, Novo-Shirokinsky and Kholodninskoye. Highly promising for zinc and lead Kholodninskoe deposit of polymetallic ores. According to preliminary data, it is 3 times larger than the Gorevskoye field in terms of reserves. Due to the fact that the Kholodninskoye field is located near Lake Baikal, its development can only be carried out on a waste-free basis. technological scheme, the economic justification of which has not yet been completed.
The Ozernoe deposit of polymetallic ores is promising for industrial development. In terms of reserves and the degree of ore dressing, it is inferior to the Gorevsky and Kholodninskoye deposits, but is in more favorable conditions. The given costs for the extraction and enrichment of 1 ton of zinc concentrate during operation will be 18 - 23% lower than the average for the industry. The deposit is zinc in composition of ores (zinc is 8 times more than lead). It has been explored in detail and put into operation.
To increase the production of copper in the country, the development of the largest Udokan deposit, located in the north of the Chita region, is of great importance. Its development is associated with great difficulties caused by difficult natural conditions. The main links of production are mining and beneficiation of ores. High content copper in concentrates makes it possible to produce almost 2.5 times more finished products from each ton of raw materials than the national average, which reduces the cost of copper production by 2 times compared to the industry average.
There are significant gold reserves in Eastern Siberia, although they have been exploited for more than 150 years.
The area has large stocks of wood raw materials. The total stock of timber is estimated at 27.5 billion cubic meters (40% of the total Russian stock). Basically, the forests of the region are located on the territory with extremely low level economic development. Involving them in commercial operation will require large capital expenditures, however, they can be 10 - 15% less than the national average. The effect is achieved due to the large size and high saturation of the area with wood raw materials.
Large reserves of peat (4.8 billion tons), chemical raw materials and building materials have been explored on the territory of the region. Peat can be used as a chemical raw material, fuel, organic fertilizer, animal bedding and packaging material.
The area of ​​agricultural land in Eastern Siberia is 23 million hectares, of which arable land - 9 million hectares. The structure of agricultural land is as follows: arable land - 39.9%, hayfields - 12.7%, pastures - 46.9%, perennial plantations - 0.5%.

Eastern Siberia is part of the Asian territory of the Russian Federation. It is located from the borders of the Pacific Ocean to the Yenisei River. This zone is characterized by an extremely harsh climate and limited fauna and flora.

Geographic Description

Eastern and occupy almost two-thirds of the territory of Russia. They are located on the plateau. The eastern zone covers an area of ​​about 7.2 million square meters. km. Its possessions extend up to the Sayan mountain ranges. Most of the territory is represented by the tundra lowland. The mountains of Transbaikalia play a significant role in the formation of the relief.

Despite the harsh climatic conditions, there are quite a lot of large cities in Eastern Siberia. The most attractive from an economic point of view are Norilsk, Irkutsk, Chita, Achinsk, Yakutsk, Ulan-Ude, and others. Within the zone are the Zabaikalsky and Krasnoyarsk Territories, the republics of Yakutia, Buryatia, Tuva and other administrative regions.

The main type of vegetation is the taiga. It will be washed from Mongolia to the borders of the forest-tundra. Occupies over 5 million sq. km. Most of the taiga is represented by coniferous forests, which make up 70% of the local vegetation. Soils develop unevenly with respect to natural areas. In the taiga zone, the soil is favorable, stable, in the tundra - rocky, frozen.

Within the interfluve and lowlands, insignificant swamps are observed. However, they are much less than in the same Western Siberia. But in the eastern region, arctic deserts and deciduous plantations are often found.

Terrain characteristics

Eastern Siberia of Russia is located on high level above the sea. All the fault of the plateau, which is located in the middle part of the zone. Here the height of the platform varies from 500 to 700 meters above sea level. The relative averageness of the region is noted. The highest points are the interfluve of the Lena and the Vilyui plateau - up to 1700 meters.

The base of the Siberian platform is represented by a crystalline folded basement, on which there are huge sedimentary layers up to 12 kilometers thick. The north of the zone is determined by the Aldan shield and the Anabar massif. The average thickness of the soil is about 30 kilometers.

To date, the Siberian platform contains several main types of rocks. These are marble, and schist, and charnockite, etc. The oldest deposits date back to 4 billion years. Igneous rocks were formed as a result of eruptions. Most of these deposits are located in and also in the Tunguska depression.

The modern relief is a combination of lowlands and uplands. Rivers flow in the valleys, swamps form, coniferous trees grow better on the hills.

Features of the water area

It is generally accepted that the Far East faces the Arctic Ocean with its "facade". The eastern region borders on such seas as the Kara, Siberian and Laptev. Of the largest lakes, it is worth highlighting Baikal, Lama, Taimyr, Pyasino and Khantayskoye.

Rivers flow in deep valleys. The most significant of them are the Yenisei, Vilyui, Lena, Angara, Selenga, Kolyma, Olekma, Indigirka, Aldan, Lower Tunguska, Vitim, Yana and Khatanga. The total length of the rivers is about 1 million km. Most of the inland basin of the region belongs to the Arctic Ocean. Other external water areas include such rivers as Ingoda, Argun, Shilka and Onon.

The main source of nutrition for the inner basin of Eastern Siberia is the snow cover, which in large volume melts under the influence of sunlight from the beginning of summer. The next most important role in the formation of the continental water area is played by rains and groundwater. highest level the pool flow is observed in the summer.

The largest and most important river in the region is the Kolyma. Its water area occupies more than 640 thousand square meters. km. The length is about 2.1 thousand km. The river originates in the Upper Kolyma Highlands. Water consumption exceeds 120 cubic meters per year. km.

Eastern Siberia: climate

The formation of meteorological features of the region is determined by its territorial location. The climate of Eastern Siberia can be briefly described as continental, consistently severe. There are significant seasonal fluctuations in cloudiness, temperature, and precipitation levels. The Asian anticyclone forms vast areas of high pressure in the region, especially this phenomenon occurs in winter time. On the other hand, severe frost makes air circulation changeable. Because of this, temperature fluctuations at different times of the day are more significant than in the west.

The climate of North-Eastern Siberia is represented by changeable air masses. It is characterized by increased precipitation and dense snow cover. This area is dominated by continental flows, which are rapidly cooling in the ground layer. That is why in January the temperature drops to a minimum. Arctic winds prevail at this time of the year. Often in winter, you can observe air temperatures down to -60 degrees. Basically, such minima are inherent in depressions and valleys. On the plateau, the indicators do not drop below -38 degrees.

Warming is observed with the arrival of air flows from China and Central Asia to the region.

winter time

No wonder it is believed that Eastern Siberia has the heaviest and most severe. The table of temperature indicators in winter is proof of this (see below). These indicators are presented as average values ​​for the last 5 years.

Due to the increased dryness of the air, the constancy of the weather and the abundance of sunny days, such low rates are easier to tolerate than in a humid climate. One of the defining meteorological characteristics of winter in Eastern Siberia is the absence of wind. Most of the season there is a moderate calm, so there are practically no blizzards and snowstorms here.

Interestingly, in the middle part of Russia, a frost of -15 degrees is felt much stronger than in Siberia -35 C. Nevertheless, such low temperatures significantly worsen the living conditions and activities of local residents. All living quarters have thickened walls. Expensive fuel boilers are used to heat buildings. The weather begins to improve only with the onset of March.

warm seasons

In fact, spring in this region is short, as it comes late. The eastern one, which changes only with the arrival of warm Asian air currents, begins to wake up only by mid-April. It was then that the stability of positive temperatures in daytime. Warming comes in March, but it is insignificant. By the end of April, the weather begins to change in better side. In May, the snow cover completely melts, the vegetation blooms.

In summer, the weather becomes relatively hot in the south of the region. Especially it concerns steppe zone Tuva, Khakassia and Transbaikalia. In July, the temperature here rises to +25 degrees. The highest rates are observed on flat terrain. It is still cool in the valleys and highlands. If we take the whole of Eastern Siberia, then the average summer temperature here is from +12 to +18 degrees.

Climate features in autumn

Already at the end of August, the first frosts begin to envelop the Far East. They are observed mainly in the northern part of the region at night. Shines during the day bright sun, there are rains with sleet, sometimes wind intensification. It is worth noting that the transition to winter is much faster than from spring to summer. In the taiga, this period takes about 50 days, and in the steppe area - up to 2.5 months. All this character traits, which distinguishes Eastern Siberia from other northern zones.

The climate in autumn is also represented by an abundance of rains coming from the west. Moist Pacific winds blow most often from the east.

Precipitation level

Relief is responsible for atmospheric circulation in Eastern Siberia. Both the pressure and the speed of air mass flows depend on it. About 700 mm of precipitation falls annually in the region. The maximum indicator for the reporting period is 1000 mm, the minimum is 130 mm. The level of precipitation is not clearly defined.

On the plateau in middle lane it rains more often. Due to this, the amount of precipitation sometimes exceeds the mark of 1000 mm. The most arid region is Yakutsk. Here the amount of precipitation varies within 200 mm. Least of all it's raining in the period from February to March - up to 20 mm. The western regions of Transbaikalia are considered the optimal zones for vegetation with respect to precipitation.

Permafrost

Today there is no place in the world that could compete in terms of continentality and meteorological anomalies with a region called Eastern Siberia. The climate in some areas is striking in its severity. In the immediate vicinity of the Arctic Circle lies the permafrost zone.

This area is characterized by low snow cover and low temperatures throughout the year. Because of this, mountain weather and the ground lose a huge amount of heat, freezing to whole meters in depth. The soils here are mostly stony. Groundwater is underdeveloped and often freezes for decades.

Vegetation of the region

The nature of Eastern Siberia is mostly represented by taiga. Such vegetation extends for hundreds of kilometers from the Lena River to the Kolyma. In the south, the taiga borders on the local possessions are untouched by man. However, due to the arid climate, the threat of large-scale fires always hangs over them. In winter, the temperature in the taiga drops to -40 degrees, but in summer the figures often rise to +20. Rainfall is moderate.

Also, the nature of Eastern Siberia is represented by the tundra zone. This zone is adjacent to the water area Arctic Ocean. The soils here are bare, the temperature is low, and the humidity is excessive. Flowers such as cotton grass, gravel, poppy, saxifrage grow in mountainous areas. From the trees of the region, one can distinguish spruces, willows, poplars, birches, pines.

Animal world

Almost all regions of Eastern Siberia are not rich in fauna. The reasons for this are permafrost, lack of food and underdevelopment of deciduous flora.

The largest animals are Brown bear, lynx, elk and wolverine. Sometimes you can meet foxes, ferrets, stoats, badgers and weasels. Musk deer, sable, deer and bighorn sheep live in the central strip.

Because of the eternally frozen soil, only a few species of rodents are found here: squirrels, chipmunks, flying squirrels, beavers, marmots, etc. But the feathered world is extremely diverse: capercaillie, crossbill, hazel grouse, goose, crow, woodpecker, duck, nutcracker, sandpiper, etc. .

The hydrographic network of the region belongs to the basin of the Arctic Ocean and is distributed over the private basins of the Kara, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi seas.

Eastern Siberia covers a vast part of the territory of the Asian continent, located east of the Yenisei and extending to the shores of the Bering Sea, and in the meridional direction - from the shores of the Arctic Ocean to the Mongolian People's Republic.

The hydrographic network of the region belongs to the basin of the Arctic Ocean and is distributed over the private basins of the Kara, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi seas. By the nature of the relief, Eastern Siberia belongs to mountainous regions, and here mountains of medium height and vast plateaus predominate, while lowlands occupy only small spaces.

Between the Yenisei and Lena is the Siberian Plateau, dissected by erosion. Its height is on average 300-500 m above sea level; only in places among the plateau stand out higher elevations - the Putorana ridge (1500 m), the Vilyui mountains (1074 m) and the Yenisei ridge (1122 m). In the upper part of the Yenisei basin is the Sayano-Baikal fold country. This is the highest mountain region of the region, with heights up to 3480 m (the peak of Munku-Sardyk).

To the east of the lower reaches of the Lena stretches the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma mountainous country, characterized by sharp contrasts of lowland and mountain landscapes. Along the right bank of the Lena stretches a powerful arc of the Verkhoyansk ridge with heights up to 2000 m, further to the east rises the Chersky ridge - a mountain knot with a height of 2000-3000 m, the Tas-Khayakhtakh ridge, etc. Along with the mountain ranges, the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma mountain region includes Oymyakonskoye, Nerskoe and Yukagir plateaus. In the south, the border of the region is made up of the Yablonovy, Stanovoy and Duzhgdzhur ridges, whose heights reach 2500-3000 m. In the east, along the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the Kolyma ridge, or Gydan, stretches.

On the territory of Eastern Siberia, there are also low-lying plains, among which the Lena-Vilyui lowland stands out for its size, which is a grandiose synclinal trough. The extreme north of the region, along the coast of the marginal seas, is occupied by the Subpolar Lowland, the height of which does not exceed 100 m above sea level; lowlands are also located in the lower reaches of the Alazeya, Kolyma and Indigirka.

The subpolar lowland is occupied by tundra and forest tundra. Most of the territory of Eastern Siberia belongs to the taiga zone. The forest landscape is dominated by Daurian larch, which is most adapted to the harsh climate and the presence of permafrost; much less pine here. The forests of Eastern Siberia are slightly swamped.

The taiga zone on the territory of Eastern Siberia is dominant and extends far to the south; sections of the steppe and forest-steppe are interspersed in it in the form of spots (the Minusinsk depression, which has a steppe character, the steppes of Transbaikalia).

Geologically, the area is characterized by a shallow occurrence of bedrock crystalline rocks, which often come to the surface here. Large distribution, especially within the Central Siberian Plateau, are ancient igneous rocks - traps, which form characteristic vertical outcrops in the form of columnar units (locally - pillars) along the river valleys.

The rivers of Eastern Siberia are predominantly in the form of mountain streams; flowing through the lowlands, they acquire a flat character.

The climatic conditions of Eastern Siberia are largely determined by its geographical location within the Asian continent. The Siberian anticyclone, which forms in the center of Asia in winter, has a great influence on the climatic conditions of the region. high pressure, a powerful spur of which occupies the whole of Eastern Siberia. Under the conditions of a stable anticyclonic weather type, winter is characterized by low cloudiness and a predominance of calm, which entails a strong cooling. Clear, severe, little snow, stable and long winter and rather arid, short and hot summer - these are the main features of the climate of Eastern Siberia. Frosts, for example, in the region of Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon reach -60, -70. These are the lowest air temperatures that are observed on the globe, therefore, the region of Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon is called the pole of cold. Average monthly air temperatures of the coldest month - January - fluctuate from -25 -40 in the south of the region to -48 in Verkhoyansk. In summer, daily air temperatures sometimes rise to 30-40. The average monthly temperatures of the warmest month - July - in the northern part of the region (in the tundra zone) are about 10, in the south, in the upper reaches of the Yenisei (Minusinsk depression), up to 20.8. The transition of air temperature through 0 in the far north is observed in mid-June, in autumn - in mid-September, and in the southern parts of the region (Minusinsk depression) - in the twentieth of April and in mid-October. The arid Minusinsk Basin stands out sharply in its climatic conditions; its climate approaches that of the steppes of the European part of the USSR.

There is little rainfall. In the predominant part of the district, their number does not exceed 200-400 mm per year. The Leno-Vilyui lowland (200 mm) is extremely poor in precipitation. Even less precipitation falls in the north, in the Subpolar Lowland, where their annual amount does not exceed 100 mm. So, for example, in the region of the river delta. Lena falls only about 90 mm per year. Approximately the same amount of precipitation falls on the islands of the Arctic zone (New Siberian Islands, Wrangel Island). Precipitation is more abundant in the Sayan Mountains, where its annual amount reaches 600-700 mm, and in some places even 1200 mm.

Most of the precipitation (70-80%) falls in the summer in the form of rains, which are usually of a continuous nature. In the cold part of the soda, there is little precipitation - no more than 50 mm.

The snow cover is notable for its low thickness; only in the Yenisei basin and within the Central Siberian Plateau does a relatively large amount of snow fall. The least amount of snow falls in the Yana and Indigirka basins.

In the harsh climate of Eastern Siberia, with its long, little snowy and cold winters, characteristic feature area is the ubiquity of permafrost. The thickness of the permafrost layer in the northern and central regions reaches 200-500 m or more. In the southern parts of the region (Transbaikalia, the basin of the upper Yenisei), the thickness of permafrost decreases, more or less significant areas devoid of permafrost (taliks) appear.

The presence of permafrost creates complex hydrogeological conditions. Groundwater reserves in most of Eastern Siberia are very poor; groundwater is represented mainly by perched water, which does not feed the rivers. Outcrops of subpermafrost waters are relatively rare and confined to areas of young faults in the earth's crust and karst areas (upper Aldan).

In a number of places (the Leno-Vilyui lowland, the lowlands of the mouth sections of the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers, etc.), buried ice is found at a small depth from the surface, occupying large areas; their thickness sometimes reaches 5-10 m and more.

The harsh climate and permafrost determine the uniqueness of the water regime in Eastern Siberia. With the complete impermeability of frozen soils, low losses for filtration and evaporation, the surface runoff here is relatively high, despite the low amount of precipitation. Permafrost is the reason for the poor supply of rivers with groundwater and the widespread phenomenon of freezing, as well as the formation of icing. In permafrost conditions, erosional processes also develop in a peculiar way. Soils bound by permafrost are difficult to erode, and therefore deep erosion develops poorly. Lateral erosion predominates, leading to the expansion of the valleys.

Studies carried out in recent years have shown that modern glaciation is widespread in Eastern Siberia. It is found in the most elevated parts of the Verkhoyansk and Chersky ranges - in the upper reaches of the Yana and Indigirka basins. The area of ​​glaciation reaches 600-700 km2, which is approximately equal to the area of ​​modern Altai glaciation. Glaciers are small. The largest glacier of the Sauntarskaya group (on the watershed of Indigirka and Okhota) is up to 10 km long.

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The area is dominated by mountainous terrain with heights of over 500 m. The mountain ranges here descend like an amphitheater to the Siberian Platform, occupied by the Central Siberian Plateau, which accounts for about 40% of the entire territory of the region.

Somewhat younger mountain systems - the Western and Eastern Sayans - occupy the southern and southwestern outskirts of the region. Finally, even younger mountains are located in the southeastern part.

In large areas of Eastern Siberia, sedimentary rocks are also widespread, to which deposits of such minerals as coal, rock salt, etc. are confined.

The main wealth of the bowels of Eastern Siberia is non-ferrous metals, as well as coal. Of the ores of non-ferrous metals, copper-nickel, polymetallic and copper deposits of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Chita Region, molybdenum deposits in Buryatia, the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Chita Region, and aluminum raw materials in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Buryatia are of the greatest importance. In addition, Eastern Siberia is a gold, tin and tungsten mining area. The importance of non-ferrous metal ores in Eastern Siberia is further enhanced by the fact that there are also large deposits of thermal coals that provide energy-intensive processes for smelting ores with cheap fuel.

In Eastern Siberia, the total geological reserves of coal exceed 3 trillion tons, but 2/3 of them are in the Tunguska and Taimyr basins and the Ust-Yenisei coal-bearing region. Due to their remoteness from the economic centers of the country, they practically cannot be used in the short term.

In the southern part of Eastern Siberia, the coal deposits of the Kansk-Achinsk basin are of particular importance, the geological reserves of which are estimated at 600 billion tons. The coal here is brown, relatively low-calorie and can ignite spontaneously when long-term storage. However, these shortcomings are compensated by extremely favorable mining and geological conditions - the large thickness of the layers (up to 80 m), which lie close to the earth's surface. This allows you to create powerful open pits (cuts) with low costs for construction and coal mining (per 1 ton of standard fuel).

A number of relatively large coal deposits are located in the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Irkutsk and Chita regions, Buryatia and Tuva. The development of many of these deposits is possible by the cheapest open-pit method. The wealth of Eastern Siberia in coal is determined not only by its total reserves, but by the fact that more than 80% of the total Russian coal reserves suitable for open-cast mining are concentrated in this region. It is thanks to these resources that Eastern Siberia has the cheapest fuel in the country. eastern siberia production potential

To assess the fuel base of the region, the availability of oil and natural gas is important. Currently, oil and gas fields have been found in Eastern Siberia (Irkutsk region). natural gas, but they are not yet commercially mined.

For overall assessment The mineral resource base of the region is important for its provision with raw materials and fuel for the development of ferrous metallurgy. The total reserves of iron ore in the region are quite large. There are large basins here - the Angara-Ilim and Angara-Pitsky.

The provision of Eastern Siberia with coking coal is not favorable enough. Their deposits are located in the undeveloped Tunguska and Ulugkhemsky basins. True, the possibility of obtaining coke from the coals of the Irkutsk basin has been proven.

In Eastern Siberia there are no deposits of manganese and chromium - the most widespread types of additives to steel.

Of the entire complex of metallurgical raw materials, Eastern Siberia is very well supplied with limestone and especially magnesite, which is used in the production of refractory materials. The main magnesite deposits are located in the Irkutsk Region and the Krasnoyarsk Territory.

Of other types of mineral raw materials, it should be noted large deposits of graphite, which, except for Eastern Siberia, are almost never found in our country, fluorspar (fluorite) in the Chita region, mica in the Irkutsk region, asbestos in Buryatia and Tuva, rock salt in the Irkutsk region, Krasnoyarsk Territory and Tuva.

Important features of the physical and geographical position of Eastern Siberia are its remoteness from the Atlantic Ocean and isolation from the influence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans by numerous mountain ranges. Only in the southeastern part of the region is the influence of the Pacific Ocean felt. Therefore, Eastern Siberia is characterized by an exceptional continental climate, which is manifested in a significant difference in the average temperatures of summer and winter period and also during the day. The continentality of the climate is exacerbated by the proximity of the Arctic Ocean, whose cooling effect is especially pronounced during the transitional periods from spring to summer and from summer to autumn (late spring and early autumn frosts). The combination of general continental climate with mountainous relief and the wide development of basins in the conditions of a vast continent contributes to intense cooling of the air in winter, when a high pressure area (Siberian anticyclone) forms here, a reduction in winter precipitation in the central zone of the anticyclone and the development of temperature inversion - with an increase to of a certain height along the slopes of the basins, the air temperature in winter does not decrease, but rises. The southeastern parts of the region receive especially low rainfall. Here the height of the snow cover averages 5-10 cm, and often winters are generally snowless.

These climate features determine the general increased severity of natural conditions for the life of the population and leave their mark on agriculture - the absence of winter crops, a shorter growing season and the need for sowing and harvesting crops in a short time.

A feature of the physical and geographical position of Eastern Siberia is its location in the zone of permafrost. Continuous permafrost is distributed only in the extreme north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, but its islands are found almost everywhere, with the exception of a relatively small area on the left bank of the Yenisei. The presence of frozen soils (even in the region of Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude their thickness reaches 5–10 m) significantly affects Agriculture central and southern parts of the region. In the spring, they delay the sowing time due to the slow heating of the soil, but in the summer, thawing, they replenish moisture reserves. In combination with the summer maximum precipitation, this circumstance is the reason why some agricultural regions of Eastern Siberia, despite the small annual and summer precipitation, practically do not know what a drought is.

The features of the relief and climate of Eastern Siberia affected the nature of the natural zones. The vast majority of the region south of the 70th parallel is occupied by taiga. Except for the southeastern part West Siberian Plain(on the left bank of the Yenisei), the forest-steppe in Eastern Siberia does not form a continuous strip, but is presented in the form of "islands", which are confined to numerous, sometimes quite extensive, basins. In the most arid of them, instead of the forest-steppe, there are steppe areas(in Khakassia, Tuva, Buryatia and Chita region).

Eastern Siberia stands out among the economic regions of the country with huge forest resources. The forests of Eastern Siberia are characterized by the dominance of coniferous species, the share of deciduous species - birch and aspen - accounts for less than 15% of the total timber reserves. In turn, among conifers, the proportion of spruce and fir is small (they are confined to more humid areas in the western part of the Central Siberian Plateau and Khakassia). In permafrost regions, Dahurian larch is essentially the only forest-forming species. In the central and eastern parts of the Central Siberian Plateau, as well as in a number of regions of Transbaikalia (where there is no permafrost), the dominant species is pine.

A significant territory, the predominance of mountainous relief and the presence of powerful mountain systems that are accumulators of moisture, as well as high forest cover - all this contributes to the widespread development of the river network. Eastern Siberia accounts for more than 30% of the total river flow in Russia, which determines the huge reserves of hydropower resources. In terms of the wealth of hydropower resources, Eastern Siberia ranks first in Russia. The great importance of the hydropower resources of Eastern Siberia in national economy due to their high concentration - nowhere in other parts of the country, except Far East(Sakha), it is impossible to build such large hydroelectric power stations as in Eastern Siberia - up to 6 million kW or more. Thanks to this concentration, it is possible to obtain very cheap electricity. The construction of East Siberian hydroelectric power stations was cheaper for two more reasons: the relatively small volumes of land flooding (since most rivers flow in deep valleys) and because the dams were built on rocky pounds.

Particularly favorable conditions for hydro construction are in the Angara-Yenisei basin, the potential resources of which are estimated at 480 billion kWh (more than half of the potential resources of Eastern Siberia), including 250 billion kWh of cost-effective resources in the Yenisei and Angara.

In the conditions of the vast territory of Eastern Siberia and the weak development of the railway network, rivers are an important means of communication, and settlements gravitate towards them, especially in the hinterland. However, due to the mountainous nature of the relief, there are many rapids on the rivers that make navigation difficult.

Eastern Siberia has a rich and extensive hydrographic network and large lakes. Rivers are distinguished by an abundance of water, a wealth of hydropower and are used as transport routes. The role of the Yenisei is especially great. The largest lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. Its maximum depth reaches 1620 m, and the area is 31.5 thousand km 2. The lake lies in a deep depression, bordered by mountain ranges - Primorsky, Baikal, Khamar-Daban, Ulan-Burgasy, Barguzinsky. The water of the lake is very clear and clean.

Great commercial value of rivers and lakes. Baikal. More than 40 species of fish live in Baikal, of which whitefish, grayling, omul, ide, salmon, sturgeon, etc. are especially valuable. The Baikal seal, the seal, is also found in its waters. The exceptional beauty of nature, the presence healing springs near the shores of the lake allow you to create here a large sanatorium and tourist base. In order to protect the nature and waters of Lake Baikal from pollution, a number of measures are being taken. Measures have been outlined to protect the waters of the lake, the natural resources of its basin, as well as the implementation of agroforestry, agrotechnical and hydrotechnical work in the basin, including measures to protect soil from water and wind erosion. The commissioning of industrial, municipal and other enterprises is also prohibited until the construction of treatment facilities is completed.

The northern part of Eastern Siberia is occupied by tundra with its characteristic vegetation - mosses, lichens, undersized shrubs, marsh and meadow vegetation. The tundra of Taimyr and the North Siberian lowland is replete with lakes and swamps.

The main part of the territory of the region is occupied by taiga. Industrial exploitation of forests on a large scale is so far only in the valleys of the Yenisei and Angara and along their tributaries, as well as in areas gravitating towards railways. Taiga is characterized by podzolic soils. There are many fur-bearing animals in the taiga. fur trade, especially for squirrel, sable, ermine, arctic fox, muskrat, fox is an important branch of national economic specialization.

Forest-steppes and steppes do not have a continuous latitudinal distribution. They are located in the south in separate areas in intermountain basins and on high uplands. There are especially many steppe and forest-steppe areas in Transbaikalia, in the Minusinsk and Tuva basins.