The publication introduces readers to the works of famous Russian and foreign scientists of the 18th - early XX century, who visited Altai and investigated its geography, geology, flora, fauna, economic life, life of the population. Most of these works are first reprinted after 1917. Designed for students and students of higher and secondary educational institutions, specialists of historians, geographers, geologists, biologists, as well as everyone interested in the history and nature of Siberia.