Vanch

a mountain range in the Western Pamirs, located in the Tadzhik SSR. Extends from the southern end of the Akademiia Nauk Range to the Piandzh River, between the Vanch and Yazgul rivers. Length, approximately 85 km; height, more than 5,000 m. The Vanch Range is composed of granites, sandstones, and conglomerate rock. Its slopes are steep and are cut by ravines. Juniper and various bushes such as wild rose and hawthorn grow on its slopes. Above the 4,000-meter level are glaciers (with a total area of 164 sq km).

a river in the Tadzhik SSR, a right tributary of the Piandzh River (in the upper courses of the Amu Darya). Known as the Abdukagor before the Kashalaiak River flows into it. Length, 103 km; basin area, 2,070 sq km. It is formed by the merger of two streams: the left originates in the glaciers along the northern slopes of the Vanch Range, and the right has its sources on the western slopes of the Akademiia Nauk Range. The Vanch River flows between the Vanch Range and the eastern part of the Darvazsk Range. The annual mean flow rate is up to 49.4 cu m per sec. There is a hydroelectric power plant on the Vanch River. The raion center, the kishlak (hamlet) of Vanch, and other kishlaks are located in its valley.