Almaty Region, Administrative region in southeastern Kazakhstan
The Almaty Region is an administrative district in southeastern Kazakhstan, covering desert plains, mountain ranges, and large lakes. The territory extends from Lake Balkhash in the north to the mountain chains in the south, and includes the Alakol Depression with its salt lakes.
The region was created on March 10, 1932, as part of the Soviet administrative division of Kazakhstan. Its territory largely corresponds to the historical Zhetysu, which takes its name from the seven rivers of the area.
The population of 2,055,724 includes Kazakhs at 72 percent, Russians at 13 percent, and Uyghurs at 7 percent, reflecting the multicultural nature of the region.
The climate varies widely between the northern desert zones and the southern mountain areas, with summer temperatures reaching around 77 °F (25 °C). Winter months can be cold in higher elevations, while the northern plains remain drier.
The Charyn Canyon resembles smaller versions of American gorges and offers notable red rock formations. The Medeo ice rink sits in the mountains south of Almaty, using its elevation for training and competitions.
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