Khakasia is situated in the centre of the Asian continent. This land has few mountains. In the northern part there are wide plateaus, in the south - mountains and forests. The republic is located in the south-west part of the eastern Siberia, on the territories of Sayan-Altai plateau and Khakassian-Minusinsk basin. Khakasia borders Krasnoyarsk region in the north, in the east and in the south-east. In the south it borders Tuva Republic, in the south-west - Altai republic and in the west - Kemerovo district. The majority of the territory is covered by steppe, taiga and mountains. Sayan mountains (sometimes higher than 2000 m) take two thirds of the whole territory and are situated in the west and in the south. The highest peak is Karatosh mountain (2930 m). The climate of Khakasia is sharply continental. Winter is cold, summer is warm in the mountains and hot on the plateaus. The most frequent winds are south-western winds. Hot winds also blow very often.

Khakasia is rich in water resources. The majority of the rivers are mountain rivers. There are few rivers in the basins. All the rivers start their way in the mountains. Their stream is strong here, the bottom is stony, there are a lot of rifts and rapids. The valleys of the rivers are narrow and have many ravines. When the stream reaches the plateau it becomes quieter, the valleys widen and the channels bifurcate into branches thus forming numerous islands. The main river of Khakasia is Yenisei. Its valley crosses West Sayan mountains at right angle. When the mountains were growing up the river was making a channel through them without changing its direction. This is the way how the deep Sayan canyon was formed. Now it strikes you by its picturesque scenery and grandiosity.

The second long river in Khakasia is Abakan river. It starts high in the mountains where West Sayan mountains border Abakan mountain ridge and then flows in the north-eastern direction. River Tom also starts not far from there - on Abakan mountain ridge.

There are approximately 500 lakes (390 fresh and 110 salty) on the territory of Khakasia. The most famous of them are Shira, Bele, Tus, Itkul lakes. Lake Hankul is situated near Hankul mineral water spring. More than 5 000 people visit these lakes annually.

The fauna of Khakasia includes 76 species of mammals and 317 species of birds. This fact is a great attraction for zoologists from all over the world. A lot of rare animals inhabit the khakasian land. Some of them are included in the Red Book. They are: dholes, snow leopards, argali, Siberian deer and others.

There are also 37 species of fish including grayling, sturgeon, starlet, white salmon, pike perch, hucho and cisco.  

Khakasian flora is presented by more than 1526 plant species. More than 300 of them are considered to be herbs and technical material. Besides, local people are always proud of the great variety of berries and mushrooms growing here. Among them there is bilberry, cowberry, guelder-rose, honeysuckle, currant, raspberry, strawberry and ashberry. The world-know Siberian cedar also grows on the territory of Khakasia.

In spring meadow and steppe plants begin to blossom. Constant color change amazes you throughout spring, summer and autumn.