>>/20462/
> Maybe it is related to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_flood (but it is too far from that region), or some glacial process. Or maybe it is just a tectonic mountain
Flooding is unlikely to spawn this kind of terrain. Glacial activity, on the other hand, is a reason I didn't consider, and it does sound plausible, and a good explanation for the large number of lakes. But I still think a geologic explanation is the culprit, and data on wheter this orientation extends to the underground or is merely a surface phenomenon could clarify the mystery.
>>/20474/
Now that's a very obvious pattern, unlike double-plot-cluster which isn't as clear at a glance.
> How does one make the landmarks and signs go away on google's maps anyway?
Don't know about Google Maps, but on Google Earth you can strip away nearly everything and get raw sattelite imagery.