Altai Mountains

Altai Mountains, mountain system in central Asia stretching across part of the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic. Consisting of a number of parallel ranges, the Altai region is similar in geological character to the Alps but covers a larger area. The highest peak is Mt. Belukha (15,157 ft/4,620 m). Rich in minerals (gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, zinc, iron), the Altai Mountains supply the Soviet Union with large quantities of metals, particularly lead and zinc.