Fan Mountains

the highest, central part of the Zeravshan Range. Located in the northwestern Tadzhik SSR, the Fan Mountains are bounded by the Archamaidan River in the west and the Fandar’ia in the east. Elevations exceed 5,000 m; the maximum elevation is 5,489 m, at Mount Chimtarga. The mountains are composed chiefly of Paleozoic limestones, which form fanciful formations with pointed summits. There are a number of glaciers. The rivers, which belong to the Zeravshan River basin, have carved out narrow, deep gorges. High in the mountains are numerous picturesque lakes, such as Iskanderkul’ and Kulikalon. Vegetation in the river valleys includes poplars, maples, birches, several species of fruit trees, and hawthorn; juniper grows on the slopes up to elevations of 3,000 m. The mountains are popular with tourists.