Geographical location of the West Siberian Plain: description and features

West Siberian Plain (on the world map it is foundit will not be difficult) - one of the largest in Eurasia. For 2,500 km it stretches from the severe shores of the Arctic Ocean to the semi-desert territories of Kazakhstan and 1500 km from the Ural Mountains to the mighty Yenisei. This whole area consists of two cup-shaped flat depressions and a lot of swampy areas. Between these depressions stretch the Siberian Uvaly, which rise by 180-200 meters.

Geographical location of the West SiberianPlains are quite an interesting and fascinating moment, which deserves detailed consideration. This natural object is located almost at the same distance between the Atlantic and the center of continent continentality. About 2.5 million square meters. km is the area of ​​this huge plain. This distance is very impressive.

Climatic conditions

Geographical location of the West SiberianPlains on the mainland causes interesting climatic conditions. Therefore, the weather on the greater part of the plain has a moderately continental character. From the north, large Arctic masses arrive in this territory, which carry a heavy cold in winter, and in summer the thermometer shows from +5 ° С to +20 ° С. In January, on the southern and northern sides, the temperature regime can range from -15 ° C to -30 ° C. The lowest indicator in winter was recorded in northeastern Siberia - up to -45 ° С.

Humidity in the plain is also spreadinggradually from south to north. With the beginning of summer, most of it falls on the steppe zone. In the middle of summer, in July, the heat seizes the entire south of the plain, and the moist front moves north, thunder and lightning rushes over the taiga. At the end of August, rains reach the zone of the tundra.

Water streams

Describing the geographical locationWest Siberian Plain, it is necessary to tell about the water system. There is a huge number of rivers along this territory, as well as numerous lakes and marshes. The largest and deepest river is the Ob with a tributary of the Irtysh. It is not only the largest in the region, but also one of the greatest in the world. By its area and length, the Ob dominates the rivers of Russia. The water flows of Pur, Nadym, Tobol and Taz are also suitable for navigation.

The number of marshes is the worldthe champion. Such a huge territory can not be found on the globe. The swamps occupy an area of ​​800 thousand square meters. km. There are several reasons for their formation: excessive moisture, a flat surface of the plain, a large amount of peat, and a low air temperature.

Minerals

This region is rich in minerals.In many ways, this affects the geographical position of the West Siberian Plain. Here, oil and gas deposits are concentrated in huge quantities. On its vast swampy areas there is a large stock of peat - about 60% of the total in Russia. There are deposits of iron ore. Siberia is rich and its hot waters, which contain salts of carbonates, chlorides, bromine and iodine.

Animal and plant worlds

The climate of the plain is such that it is quite poor hereflora in comparison with neighboring regions. This is especially noticeable in the zone of taiga and tundra. The reason for such poverty is the plants in the perennial glaciation, which does not allow spreading to plants.

The plain fauna is also not very rich, in spite ofhuge extent of territories. The geographical position of the West Siberian Plain is such that it is practically impossible to meet interesting individuals here. There are no unique animals living in this territory alone. All species that live here are common with the rest of the region, both neighboring and the entire continent of Eurasia.