and alpine floral communities. The flora of the Zhetysu Alatau Mountains (the range covered by the park) includes 2,168 species of vascular plants, in 112 families and 622 genera. 76 of the species are endemic to the region. While the forests are mostly pine and spruce, there are significant stands of wild fruit trees in the park. The best known is the Sievers Apple (Malus sieversii), which is considered the source of all cultivated apple varieties in the world. The park has recorded a number of Snow Leopards in recent years. Tourism Environmental education and tourism facilities are being developed. There are presently seven tourist routes in the park: "Ethnographic tour" (Jungar Alatau historical sites) "Jasılköl" "Scientific and informative tour" (specific places to grow wild apple tree breeding Sievers) "Shumsky glacier" "Top Jasilkol" "Sarkansky forest" "Lepsy forest" References External links Video Overview of Zhongar-Alatau National Park (in English) Kazakh TV Video of Zhongar-Alatau National parks of Kazakhstan Geography of Almaty Region Tourist attractions in Almaty Region