The Altai Mountains

The Altai Mountains are a mountain range in central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together, and where the rivers Irtysh and Ob have their sources. The Altai Mountains are known as the Turkic peoples' birthplace. The northwest end of the range is at 52° N and between 84° and 90° E (where it merges with the Sayan Mountains to the east), and extends southeast from there to about 45°N 99°E /45°N 99°E / 45; 99Coordinates: 45°N 99°E / 45°N 99°E /45; 99, where it gradually becomes lower and merges into the high plateau of the Gobi Desert.

The name, in Mongolian (Altain nuruu) the "Mountains of Gold". The proposed Altaic language family takes its name from the mountain range.