Mountain ranges occupy the greater part of the territory of Kyrgyzstan (60âÂÂ65%). In several parts of the country, major nodal mountain uplifts occur, including Khan Tengri and Jengish Chokusu, the Ak-Shyyrak, ChilikâÂÂKemin, TalasâÂÂChatkal, Machin, and other massifs. These nodal uplifts, as well as the watershed sections of most mountain ranges, are covered by extensive glaciation. Overall, most ranges in the Tien-Shan are uneven in shape, with one side differing from the other, and this imbalance can vary even within the same mountain range.
Based on their orientation and mutual arrangement, the mountain ranges and mountains of Kyrgyzstan are grouped into six orographic regions: Central Tien-Shan, Northern Tien-Shan, Inner Tien-Shan, Western Tien-Shan, and Southern Tien-Shan. In addition, the PamirâÂÂAlay orographic region, which belongs to the Pamir mountain system, is represented within Kyrgyzstan by the northern slope of the Trans-Alay (Chon-Alay) Range and the Alay Depression.
A list of mountain ranges in Kyrgyzstan includes 158 mountain ranges in Central Tien-Shan (16), Northern Tien-Shan (19), Inner Tien-Shan (48), Western Tien-Shan (30), South Tien-Shan (41), and Pamir-Alay (4).
The Central Tien-Shan is characterized by the highest elevations, extensive glaciation covering about 40% of its total area, and the dominance of nivalâÂÂglacial geomorphic processes. The mountain ranges are closely spaced and dissected by narrow valleys.
The Northern Tien-Shan forms a series of mountain ranges that curve gently toward the south. These ranges are strongly shaped by erosion, with many ancient, once-flat surfaces now exposed again.
The mountain ranges of the Inner Tien-Shan, branching off from the Central Tien-Shan as distinct spurs, gradually diverge, widening westward and gently curving southward. This area contains the most widespread remnants of ancient denudation surfaces.
Unlike most other mountain regions, which mainly run eastâÂÂwest, the mountain ranges of the Western Tien-Shan extend in northwest and northeast directions.
The Southern Tien Shan, like the Northern Tien Shan, is made up of mountain ranges that have been strongly shaped by erosion, with remnants of ancient flattened land surfaces preserved on ridges and between valleys.
The Alay region is markedly uplifted. Lenin Peak in the Trans-Alay (Chon-Alay) Range reaches an elevation of 7,134 m above sea level. This powerful uplift occurred over a relatively short geological period compared with other regions. As a result, the structure of the range includes not only Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks, but also Cenozoic deposits. The range is dissected by numerous trough (glacial) valleys and is covered by extensive glaciers and snowfields.