Zeravshan Range

mountains, Central Asia

Also known as: Zeravsanskij Chrebet, Zeravshansky Khrebet

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Zeravshan Range, mountain range in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, forming a part of the Gissar–Alay system. It extends for more than 230 miles (370 km) east–west parallel to the Turkistan Range between the Zeravshan Valley on the north and the Yagnob and Iskanderdarya valleys on the south. The range is split into four parts by the Fandarya, Kshtut, and Magian rivers. Many peaks rise more than 16,500 feet (5,000 metres), the highest being Chimtorga, at 18,009 ft (5,489 metres). The valleys of the Zeravshan Range are semiarid with hot, dry summers and most precipitation falling during winter. Precipitation is greatest at the highest elevations, falling mainly as snow. The vegetation varies from short scrub and grasses at the lowest altitudes to alpine meadows at elevations around 11,500 feet (3,500 metres).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.