Grigoriy Grumm-Grjimaylo Geographer and zoologist, explorer of Central and Middle Asia, the Far East. His name is given to: a pass on Sikhote-Alin, one of the glaciers he discovered in the Pamirs and a glacier on the Bogdo-Ula massif Date of Birth: 17.02.1860 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Explorations in Central Asia
3. Discovery of the Turfan Basin
4. Expedition to Eastern Tianshan and Nanshan
5. Contributions to Geography and Entomology
6. Later Years and Recognition

Early Life and Education

In 1880, Grigory Grumm-Grzhimaylo enrolled in the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of Saint Petersburg University. The lectures of Hermann Wagner on invertebrate zoology sparked Grigory's passion for the field, leading him to specialize in entomology, with a particular focus on butterflies.

Explorations in Central Asia

After graduating in 1884, Grigory embarked on his first expedition to the Alai Range. He traversed the Alai Valley and reached Lake Kara-Kul. Over the next three years (1885-1887), Grigory extended his explorations to the Pamirs and neighboring regions, including Karategin, Darvaz, Gissar, and Kashgar.

Discovery of the Turfan Basin

In 1889, Grigory's expedition made a pivotal discovery. While exploring the southern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, he stumbled upon a vast and deep basin near Turfan. This basin, known as the Turfan Depression, proved to be one of the world's lowest points, lying 130 meters below sea level.

Expedition to Eastern Tianshan and Nanshan

In 1889, Grigory led a major expedition to Eastern Tianshan and Nanshan. This expedition traversed 7250 kilometers, recorded geographical coordinates at 30 sites, and determined absolute altitudes at 140 points. The expedition yielded an extensive collection of specimens and meteorological data.

Contributions to Geography and Entomology

Grigory's expeditions made significant contributions to the understanding of Central Asian geography, ethnography, and history. He was the first European to hunt and kill a wild horse in the Gobi Desert. His observations on the Bianshan Mountains and his discovery of the Turfan Depression expanded knowledge of the region's topography and geology.

Later Years and Recognition

After returning from China, Grigory published three volumes of his expedition report, "Description of a Journey to Western China." He also wrote books on the Amur region and the ethnography of Western Mongolia. In 1907, he was awarded the Konstantinov Medal by the Geographical Society. Grigory continued to contribute to geographical knowledge through his writings, lectures, and correspondence until his death in 1936.