Northwestern Sinkiang Province consists of the western and northern Dzungarian(1) Basin and its mountainous edges. In the northeast are the Altay Mountains. These run northwest from where Kazakhstan and Mongolia(2) are barely separated by Russia(3) and China, to the southeast along the Mongolian border. The highest peak is Kulten-Uul, almost 5000 meters, on the Mongolian border. The south side of the range is drained by the Irtys(4) River and its right bank feeders. Farther south the Ulungur River flows through the northern part of the Gubantuggut Desert and into Ulungur Lake(5). Further south the desert lies beyond this area; this far south only western Dzungaria is included. This area--beyond the Manas River--is well watered steppe and swamp. The Manas flows from the Tien(6) Mountains(7) north into Manas Lake. Beyond it the land slopes downward, interrupted by highlands. Ebinur Lake is less than 200 meters above sea level and just beyond it is the Dzungarian Gate, a low pass into the Kazakh steppe. Farthest south is part of the Tien Mountains. These top out at over 5000 meters at Tumul Peak and contain vast glaciers. Between the ranges the Ili River flows west into Kazakhstan.