Khentii Mountains
The Khentii Mountains (Mongolian: Хэнтийн нуруу) are a mountain range in the Töv and Khentii Provinces in North Eastern Mongolia.
Khentii Mountains | |
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Highest point | |
Peak | Asralt Khairkhan |
Elevation | 2,800 m (9,200 ft) |
Naming | |
Native name | Хэнтийн нуруу |
Geography | |
Country | Mongolia |
Aimags | Khentii, Töv and Dornod |
Rivers |
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Range coordinates | 48°47′00″N 109°10′01″E |
Geography
The mountain chain overlaps the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area and includes Mongolia's sacred mountain, Burkhan Khaldun, which is associated with the origin of Genghis Khan. The range forms the watershed between the Arctic Ocean (via Lake Baikal) and the Pacific Ocean basins. Rivers originating in the range include the Onon, Kherlen, Menza and Tuul.
A northern extension of the Khentii Mountains forms a range of the same name which is part of the Khentei-Daur Highlands in the Transbaikalia Krai of Russia.[1]
History
The legendary Mongol Genghis Khan is thought to have chosen a resting place in the Khentii Mountains, called the Great Taboo, or Ikh Khorig, by the Mongols. The area is thought to be where Khan may be entombed.[2]
References
- Khentey, Small Encyclopedia of Transbaikalia
- Craig, Erin (19 July 2017). "Why Genghis Khan's tomb can't be found". BBC. Retrieved 30 August 2017.