It is 1,439 kilometres (894 mi) long (including its source river the Tekes),[2] 815 kilometres (506 mi) of which is in Kazakhstan. The river originates from the Tekes andKünes rivers in EasternTian Shan. The Ili drains the basin between the Tian Shan and theBorohoro Mountains. Flowing intoLake Balkhash (in theendorheicBalkhash-Alakol Basin), the Ili forms a largedelta with vast wetland regions of lakes, marshes and vegetation.[3][4]
The river's name is usually taken to derive fromMongolianil (ил, "open, clear, obvious") in reference to its wide central valley.[5] It is also variously derived fromPersian orIranian terms[which?] meaning "big river" or "murky" in reference to the water's condition at the confluence of the Kunges and Tekes.[5] SomeUyghur scholars derive it from Uyghuril ("hook")[citation needed] after the supposed similarity in the river's shape.[6] Tourist websites sometimes claim the name descends from the Mongolian wordilansu, meaning "shimmering" or "sparkling".[7]
Mentions ofIli river can be traced back to theMahmud al-Kashgari's dictionary of Turkic languages, theDīwānu l-Luġat al-Turk (written in 1072–74). In the book, the author defines it in the following way: "Ili, the name of a river. Turkic tribes ofYaghma,Tokhsi andChiglig live on its banks. Turkish countries regard the river as their Jayhoun (Amu Darya)."[8]
Qing bases in the Ili region, ca. 1809. Note that the map is upside down, i.e. the north is at the bottom, and the east is on the left.
The upper Ili Valley is separated from theDzungarian Basin in the north by the Borohoro Mountains, and from theTarim Basin in the south by theTian Shan. This region was the stronghold of theQing administration in Xinjiang in the late 18th and 19th centuries. It was occupied by Russia from 1871 to 1881 (from theYaqub Beg rebellion until theTreaty of Saint Petersburg (1881)).
Presently, the region forms part of Xinjiang'sIli Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. The main city of the region,Yining (Kulja), is located on the northern side of the river (about 100 kilometres (62 mi) upstream from the international border). Until the early 1900s, the city was commonly known under the same name as the river,伊犁 (Pinyin:Yīlí;Wade-Giles:Ili).Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County in located on the southern side, which is home to many of China'sXibe people (who resettled there in the 18th century as part of the Manchu Garrison).
The Ili is the main watercourse of theBalkhash-Alakol Basin. The region of Kazakhstan partially drained by the Ili and its tributaries is known in Kazakh asZhetysu ('Seven Rivers'). In Russian it is known asSemirechye (meaning the same).
The Tamgaly-Tas, a protected site that comprisesrock drawings, is located 20 kilometres (12 mi) downstream along the Ili River. The nameTamgaly inKazakh means "painted" or "marked place", andTas means "stone".
The Ili River flows into the southeastern edge ofLake Balkhash, where it forms a large delta of about 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 sq mi). The delta is situated between theSaryesik-Atyrau Desert and the Taukum Desert. An area of 9,766 km2 (3,771 sq mi) within the delta has been designated as aRamsar Site. This site has 427 species of plants and 345 species of animals, including important populations of rare species (Dalmatian pelican,goitered gazelle,marbled polecat,white-headed duck,red-breasted goose,ship sturgeon, and others).[1] The delta has also become popular amongst anglers for itswels catfish, which can grow up to over 300 lb (140 kg). The Ili river ranks third inKazakhstan after theIrtysh river and the Ural river in terms of water content.
The Government of Kazakhstan plans[as of?] to join the three sanctuaries Balkash, Karoy and Kukan (situated in the delta) into one National Park.[10] Until 1948, the delta was a refuge of the extinctCaspian tiger. Anintroduction of theSiberian tiger to the delta has been proposed on account that it is a genetically close relative of the Caspian tiger. A large population ofwild boar, the main prey base of the Caspian tiger, can be still[when?] found in the delta. There is also a small population of roe deer. In the drier steppes to the south of the delta livesaiga antelopes andgoitered gazelles.
Reintroduction of theBactrian deer, another prey of the Caspian tiger, is currently[when?] under consideration. Another potential prey species considered to be reintroduced is theAsiatic wild ass.[11]
The Ili River treaty of 638 AD formalized the division of theWestern Turkic Kaganate (552–638 AD) into theNushibi and theDulu. It also established the Ili River as the border between the two states.[12] In the 21st century, increasing need for water in both China and Kazakhstan makes the management of the cross-border Ili River a topic of concern for environmentalists and politicians in Kazakhstan (who feel that their country may not get enough water flowing in from China any more).[13]
The amount of precipitation in summer reaches 150–250 cubic metres (5,300–8,800 cu ft).[citation needed]
On the river, the most popular type of fishing is fishing of catfish, one of the largest aquatic predators, which may reach 5 meters (16 ft) in length and weigh up to 300 kilograms (660 lb). Smaller specimens are usually within 50–100 kilograms (110–220 lb).
