Climate, waters, soils, plants and animals (Chirchiq-Ohangaron)
The climate of the district is not uniform. On the plain summers are hot and dry (the July mean is about +27°C, the hottest day up to +44°C) and the January mean is –1…–2°C; in the mountains summers are cooler (about +17…+24°C in July) and winters colder. Precipitation is 250–300 mm in the south-west of the plain and increases to the north-east, reaching up to 2000 mm on the windward slopes of the Western Tien Shan; most falls in spring and winter. The largest river is the Chirchiq, formed where the Chatkal and Pskem meet; about 55 percent of its water comes from the Chatkal and 36 percent from the Pskem. Small lakes such as Shovulkul and Katta Arashon are known. On the plain grey soil has become cultivated grey soil through farming; with height come grey soils, then mountain forest and mountain meadow soils. Ephemerals such as tulips grow on the plain, walnut, hawthorn, barberry, juniper and maple at 1200–2500 m and alpine meadows above 2500 m. Bear, snow leopard, deer, boar, partridge and eagle live in the mountains. The Chatkal Biosphere Reserve and the Ugam-Chatkal National Nature Park protect nature.
“Mountain climb”: on a wall-style drawing draw 4 levels from bottom to top (grey soil, forest, alpine meadow, snow) and write a plant and animal on each. Go to the mountains only with adults and never eat unknown plants or mushrooms.