Altyn-Emel National Park, National park in Zhetisu Region, Kazakhstan
The park stretches across sandy plains, rocky ridges, and wide river valleys between the Ili River and the Ak-Tau Mountains. The landscape shifts from open desert sections to green riverbanks where willow scrub and scattered poplars grow.
In the 1970s, the Soviet Union established the area as a protected zone for endangered species, particularly the Przewalski's horse. National park status was officially granted in 1996 after Kazakhstan's independence.
The name comes from the Kazakh word for golden saddle, referring to the yellowish mountains that define the area. Visitors see herders with sheep flocks on the flatter sections and occasional yurts along the few access roads.
Visitors driving from the main entrance to individual sites should plan several hours on unpaved tracks. In summer, carry enough drinking water as there are few supply points inside the reserve.
Some rocks in the southern section show pale salt deposits that shimmer in different colors under sunlight. These formations emerge from evaporating groundwater streams that bring minerals to the surface.
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