Abstract
The article comprehensively examines orographic terms and names common in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region. The study is based on the Catalogue of State Geographical Names of the Republic of Kazakhstan, topographic maps, and field materials. A structural-semantic and etymological analysis of about 1,000 geographical names selected within the district was carried out, and their toponymic activity was determined. In the system of oronyms, the proportion of terms denoting positive, negative, and neutral forms of relief was identified, and the patterns of their spatial distribution were established. The semantic features and historical and ethnolinguistic foundations of the indicator terms “tobe” “shoqy” “tau” “say” “qiya” and “asu” were revealed. It has been shown that orographic metaphors, color-denoting components, as well as oronyms associated with the flora and fauna, reflect the landscape features of the territory, natural and geographical conditions, and the traditional nature of the population's economic activities. The results obtained contribute to the scientific systematization of the toponymic system of the Zhambyl region, the preservation of geographical names, and the expansion of the region's tourism potential.