The Mirzachol natural-geographic district

In winter cold air from the Arctic and Siberia enters the plain unhindered and collects there, unable to cross the southern mountains: the January mean is –1…–3°C and some days reach –30…–35°C. In summer, under a thermal low, the air is dry and scorching: the July mean is +26…+28°C and the hottest days +44…+45°C. Annual precipitation on the plain is 200–350 mm and increases towards the mountains, while possible evaporation is 1000–1200 mm, about 4–4.5 times the precipitation. The main water source is the Syrdarya, whose valley is up to 15 km wide. The Sangzor is fed by snow water and the Jizzakh reservoir regulates its flow. Aydar-Arnasay is the largest lake system in Uzbekistan: it appeared in 1969–1970 when the Syrdarya was in high flood and a huge volume of water was released from the Chardara reservoir. On the plain ground water lies close to the surface (1–5 m), is salty and undrinkable, so saline soils are common. Most soils are irrigated light grey and grey-meadow soils. Plants: ephemerals, wormwood, sora, tamarisk, camel-thorn; in the foothills barberry, rose, pistachio and almond, walnut in the Nurata and juniper at 1500–2500 m in the Turkestan range. Animals: jerboa, ground squirrel, fox, wolf, gazelle; in the tugai jungle cat, boar and pheasant; in the mountains deer and ibex.