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Kulunda Steppe, Russia, Eastern Kazakhstan

The vast plains between the Irtysh (bottom left to center-top) and Ob' Rivers (top right) are one of Asia's best landmarks because of the great parallel, dark lines of lower country occupied by lakes (across the bottom and right of the view) (view to WNW). Exposed in the west Siberian Plain, they are visible from great distances, and acted as a regular landmark in the vastness of Siberia for the STS-45 crew who shot this dramatic Linhof view. Here the Steppe is shown under snow: equivalent summer views are requested. The NW-flowing Irtysh River is paralleled by a railroad. East/west railroads cross this axis at Omsk (arrow)-the Trans-Siberian Line-Pavlodar (P) and Semipalatinsk (S) both in Kazakhstan (the latter lies on the west end of the largest arc in the pattern of lakes). (STS045-151-021)

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