Kyrgyzstan is located in the center of the majestic mountain systems of the Tian Shan and the Pamir-Alai; more than 60% of its area (199,000 km²) is occupied by heavily dissected mountains at absolute elevations from 500 to 7,000 m, with about 90% of the country's territory lying above 1,500 m. Up to 40% is covered by glaciers, permanent snow,