Terek-Sunzha Upland

an upland in the southeastern part of Ciscaucasia, south of the Terek River. The upland consists of the Terek Range (maximum elevation, 664 m) and the Sunzha Range (maximum elevation, 926 m), which run east-west and are separated by the broad Alkhanchurt Valley. The Terek-Sunzha Upland is composed of sand and clay deposits and of sandstones covered with loesslike loam. Steppe landforms predominate. The northern slopes of the eastern part of the Sunzha Range are covered with broad-leaved forests. The Alkhanchurt Valley is irrigated by the Alkhanchurt Canal from the Terek River.