Why do many of Kyrgyzstan’s borders follow mountain crests?

Kyrgyzstan is a predominantly mountainous country, with much of its landscape defined by the Tien Shan system. Because the country’s geography is characterized by a rugged mountain-and-basin structure, many of its national borders naturally follow the crests of these high mountain ranges.123

These ranges, such as the Kyrgyz Ala Range and the various peaks along the southern and eastern frontiers, serve as significant physical barriers. By aligning borders with these prominent mountain crests, the boundaries effectively utilize the natural topography to delineate the territory between Kyrgyzstan and its neighbors, including Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.1423