ISSYK-KUL, LAKE

Russian Ozero Issyk-kul, a drainless lake in Issyk-Kul oblast (province) of Kyrgyzstan. Situated in the northern Tien Shan (mountains), it is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world and is famous for its magnificent scenery and unique scientific interest. It is situated within the bottom edges of the Issyk-Kul Basin, which is bordered on the north by the Kungey-Alatau Range (Khrebet) and on the south by the Terskey-Alatau Range. The lake has a length of 113 miles (182 km), a width of up to 38 miles (61 km), and a surface area of 2,425 square miles (6,280 square km). It reaches 2,303 feet (702 m) in depth and has a volume of 416 cubic miles (1,738 cubic km). The lake's name, which derives from a Kyrgyz word for hot lake, alludes to the fact that it does not freeze over during the winter. The Kungey-Alatau Range, with elevations up to 15,653 feet (4,771 m), and the Terskey-Alatau (up to 17,113 feet ) frame the Issyk-Kul Basin with steep slopes and rocky crests. The basin's climate is warm, dry, and temperate. Air temperatures in July on the shore average about 62 F (17 C), while in January, on the western edge of the basin, the temperatures average about 28 F (-2 C). The annual amount of precipitation increases sharply from west to east, from 4 inches (100 mm) to a maximum of 1620 inches (410510 mm) in summer. Strong winds blow frequently toward the lake, with velocities in the west averaging about 90 miles (145 km) per hour. More than 50 rivers can be counted in the basin. The largest, the Dzhergalan and the Tyup, are nearly 60 miles (97 km) long and are located in eastern Priissykkulye. The Chu River flows along the western outskirts of the basin. Lake Issyk-Kul's shores open out gently, with coves on the eastern and southeastern sides. Sandy soils predominate. The water of the Issyk-Kul is sky blue in colour, very clear (visibility up to 65 feet ), and salty. Unsuitable for drinking and irrigation because of its high mineral content, it is used at times without freshening for watering cattle. Rocky deserts with sparse, saline, semibushy vegetation lie in the western part of the basin. Toward the east are steppes and meadows and a type of elm that grows in the chestnut soils and black earth. Higher up in the mountains, sub-Alpine and Alpine meadows occur. More than 20 kinds of fish live in Lake Issyk-Kul. The basic commercial fish are the naked osman, the chebak, the little chebak, the common carp, and the marinka. The lake's western and eastern shores serve as a wintering place for waterfowl. Pochard, mallard, bald coot, and teal are the main varieties. To conserve the wildlife, the Issyk-Kul Preserve was founded in 1948, encompassing a lake waterfront and a 1-mile (1.6-kilometre) shore zone in which hunting is forbidden. Hare, fox, and muskrat live in the thickets. In all there are some 40 kinds of mammals and 200 types of birds. Kyrgyz and Russians predominate in the population of the basin; but there are also a number of Ukrainians, Tatars, Uzbeks, and Dungans. There are two large citiesPrzhevalsk and Issyk-Kuland hundreds of villages. The principal occupation in the area is farming: wheat, potatoes, vegetables, and the medicinal poppy are grown, and stock are raised. The shores of the lake are noted for their health resorts.