Arpa Valley
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| Arpa Valley | |
|---|---|
  Arpa Valley | |
| Floor elevation | 2,600–3,600 m (8,500–11,800 ft) |
| Length | 60 km (37 mi) NW-SE |
| Width | 32 km (20 mi) SW-NE |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 40°42′N 74°52′E / 40.70°N 74.87°E |
| Rivers | Arpa |
The Arpa Valley (Kyrgyz: Арпа өрөөнү) is a high-altitude valley in the southwestern part of the inner Tien Shan. It is bordered by the Fergana Range to the southwest, the Torugart Range to the south, the At-Bashy Range to the east, Ortok Too to the northeast, and Jaman-Too to the north. The valley is approximately 60 km (37 mi) long and up to 32 km (20 mi) wide at its broadest point. Its elevation ranges between 2,600 m (8,500 ft) and 3,600 m (11,800 ft) above sea level.[1]
The valley is drained by the Arpa River, a tributary of the Ala-Buga. It divides the valley into two parts — a gently sloping wide left bank and a steeper, narrower right bank.[2]
Geology
The Arpa Valley is a graben-synclinal depression. Its floor is filled with thick layers of alluvial and weathered rocks.[1]
Landscapes
The Arpa Valley is characterized by the following landscape zones:
- Meadow and shrubby steppe (up to 3,000 m),
- On the south-facing slopes: subalpine semi-desert and dry steppe (up to 3,500 m),
- Alpine steppe,
- On the north-facing slopes: subalpine steppe and meadow steppe,
- Subnival zone (up to 3,800 m),
- And above that — glacial-nival landscapes. [1]
Climate
The climate is harsh: the average annual temperature is −5.4 °C, with January averaging −23 °C and July 9.3 °C. Annual precipitation ranges between 250 and 280 mm. [1]