In terms of natural and climatic conditions, East Kazakhstan is a unique region. Steppe, desert and mountain-taiga landscapes coexist in it. The northern and eastern part of the territory of the region is occupied by the foothills and ridges of the Western, Central and Southern Altai, in the depths of which the richest reserves of non-ferrous, precious and rare earth metals are contained. South of the Altai Mountains stretches the arid Zaisan basin, bounded on the south side by the Saur-Tarbagatai ridge. The entire southwestern and western part of the region is represented by the Kazakh small-scale farmer. The hilly plains of the Kalba Mountains prevail in the central part. The climate of the region is sharply continental, with a large amplitude of daily, seasonal and average annual fluctuations in air temperature. The coldest month is January, with an average monthly air temperature from -17 0С, in some places -10 to -23 0С. The temperature of the warmest month, July 17-23 0C. The annual temperature amplitude is 33-39 0С. In summer, the distribution of average temperatures in the mountains depends on altitude. The direction of the average wind at altitudes of 1 km or more is easterly - 20 m/sec. The wind rose prevails in the south-east direction.
Forests occupy 7.1% of the region's territory. Mostly forests are located on the spurs of the Altai Mountains ridges. Dark coniferous forests are common here. Deciduous and mixed forests are common in the lower belt of the forest zone. A special attraction is the ribbon pine forests in the north-west of the region. In total, there are more than 1,000 species of flora in the Rudny Altai, there are more than 300 species of various birds, about 100 species of mammals. In the forests and steppes there are elk, mountain goat, argali, musk deer, roe deer, wolf, bear, lynx, ermine, weasel, sable, ferret, column, fox, hare. Maral has been preserved in the upper reaches of the Bukhtarma River. Wild boar lives in the foothills, along the coasts of rivers and lakes.
