How do the Nether-Polar Urals differ from the Central Urals?

The Nether-Polar Urals and the Central Urals differ significantly in their elevation, topography, and environmental characteristics:

• Elevation and Topography: The Nether-Polar Urals contain the highest peaks of the entire range, such as Mount Narodnaya (6,217 feet), and exhibit an Alpine character. In contrast, the Central Urals are much lower, rarely exceeding 1,600 feet, with smooth summits and isolated residual outcrops.1
• Glaciation and Weathering: The Nether-Polar section is heavily marked by permafrost and is strewn with glaciers. The Central Urals lack these features, characterized instead by their lower, flattened relief.1
• Climate and Precipitation: The western slope of the Nether-Polar Urals experiences heavy precipitation, reaching up to 40 inches annually. The Central Urals generally experience lower moisture levels compared to the more northerly sections.2
• Vegetation: In the Nether-Polar Urals, the forest gives way to mountain tundra at elevations as low as 1,300 feet. The Central Urals are dominated by boreal forests (taiga) consisting of spruce, fir, pine, and larch.3