Ural Mountains

Mountain system extending for over 2,000 km/1,242 mi from the Arctic Ocean to the Caspian Sea, and traditionally regarded as separating Europe from Asia. The highest peak is Naradnaya, 1,894 m/6,214 ft. The mountains hold vast mineral wealth.

The Middle Urals contain the richest mineral deposits; iron, copper, chromium, nickel, precious stones, coal, oil, and asbestos are found here. It is one of the most industrialized regions of Russia. Perm, Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg (formerly Sverdlovsk), Magnitogorsk, and Zlatoust are major industrial centres; iron and steel production is especially important.