The Altai Territory

The Altai Territory was founded in 1937. Its territory is about 262 square kilometers. The population of the region is about 3 million people.

The Altai Territory is divided into 63 regions. It occupies vast area in Siberia. More then thousand kilometers separate its Western from its Eastern limits and hun­dreds from its Northern and its Southern limits.

There are high mountains and black - earth steppes, swift waterfalls and smooth lakes, Alpine grasslands and thick forests. The climate of the Altai Territory is sharp continental. The nature of our homeland is beautiful. In winter healthy strong freez­ing weather is usua.1. Summer is a beautiful warm time!

The main water way of the Western Siberia is the river Ob. It begins in the Altai Territory.

The animal and vegetable kingdom of Altai Territory is rich.

You have an opportunity to meet with the snow leopard bears, with noble deer and the sensitive sable.

Altai is a large industrial, scientific and cultural centre. It produces powerful boilers, tractors, textile and different products of food industry.

Barnaul is the capital of Altai Territory; it is situated on the bank of the river Ob. It is one of the mast ancient Siberian towns. Barnaul is divided into some districts -Central, October, Railway, Lenin and Industrial. Barnaul is the centre of heavy, light and textile industry. Barnaul has many historic places and educational establishments and the Altai State Agrarian University is one of them.

1. Read the following words and expressions to the text "The Altai Territory":

To be divided into - разделяться на

rural - сельский

black-earth steppe - черноземная степь

waterfall - водопад

grassland - луг

sharp-continental - резко-континентальный

waterway - водная артерия, путь

animal kingdom - животный мир

plant kingdom - растительный мир

to have an opportunity - иметь возможность

snow leopard - снежный барс

noble deer - благородный олень

sable - соболь

powerful boilers - мощные котлы

2. Answer the questions to the text:

1. When wais the Altai Territory formed?

2. What is the territory of the region?

3. What is the population of it?

4. What is the relief of the Altai Region?

5. What is the weather like in Altai Territory?

6. The main waterway of the Altai Territory is the river Ob, isn't it?

7. What wild animals can you meet here?

8. Is the Altai Territory a large industrial centre?

9. What do the plants and factories of the region produce?

10. What is the capital of the Altai Territory?

11. What districts is it divided into?

12. Has Barnaul many historic places and scientific establishments?