Characteristics of the shores of Baikal. Winter sports. Shores of Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal and its drainage basin belong to the unique geosystems of the world. Baikal is located in the central part of Eastern Siberia, not far from the conventional geographical center of Asia. The mountain basin of the lake is the most important natural frontier of Siberia. In this area, the boundaries of various floristic and faunal areas converge, creating biogeocenoses that have no analogues.

Baikal is one of the greatest lakes of the planet, a lake of "superlative degree": the deepest (1637 m) and the oldest (about 25 million years), containing the largest number of endemics (more than 1000 species) and representatives of flora and fauna (more than 2600 species) living in fresh water Earth. The lake has a unique in terms of volume (23.6 thousand cubic km) and quality of fresh water (20% of the world). The Baikal depression is the central link of the Baikal rift zone, which arose and developed simultaneously with the world rift system. A number of factors suggest that the lake is a nascent ocean.The climate of the Baikal coasts is unusually mild for Siberia, - the number sunny days higher here than many Black Sea resorts. 336 rivers flow into Baikal (Selenga, Barguzin, Upper Angara, etc.), and one flows out - the Angara.

The entire lake basin (the total catchment area is 557 thousand sq. km, of which 332 are in Russia) is a peculiar and very fragile natural geosystem, the basis of which is the system of the lake itself with its natural process of formation of the purest waters of drinking quality.

Baikal - the largest lake in the world

Baikal is one of the greatest lakes the globe, the largest freshwater lake in Russia. Its length is 636 kilometers, the water surface area is 31,500 square kilometers. Baikal is 1.7 times larger than Lake Ladoga, the largest in Europe. Among the fresh lakes of the world, it ranks sixth. More than two African lakes- Victoria and Tanganyika and three of the five Great American Lakes - Superior, Huron and Michigan.

Baikal is not only one of the largest lakes, but also the most deep lake planets. As already mentioned, his greatest depth 1637 meters.

The maximum depth of Tanganyika is 1435 meters, Issyk-Kul is 702. On Earth, only 8 lakes have a depth exceeding 500 meters (L. Rossolimo).

Tanganyika - fresh water, but its water contains a high content of magnesium salts. The entire thickness of fresh water deeper than 800 meters can only be studied in Baikal.

The average depth of the lake is also very high - 730 meters. It exceeds the maximum depths of many very deep lakes. This is what determines the water reserves in Baikal.

Baikal is the world's largest freshwater lake in terms of water resources. Its volume is 23,600 cubic meters. kilometers, which is about 20% of the planet's fresh lake waters - much more than in all fresh lakes in the world. The volume of the latter is estimated at 123 thousand cubic kilometers of water. There is more water in Baikal than in all five of the American Great Lakes combined. The Baikal volume of water is almost twice as much as in Lake Tanganyika, 90 times more than in the Sea of ​​Azov, 23 times more than in Lake Ladoga. Based on the current need of people for water, equal to 500 liters per person per day, Baikal water can provide the entire population of the Earth for about 40 years (G.N. Galaziy, 1984).

Geological features of the structure of Lake Baikal

The most remarkable feature of Baikal is its antiquity. Given the deep relict endemism of the fauna of the lake, most researchers determine its age at 20-30 million years. The vast majority of lakes, especially those of glacial and oxbow origin, live for 10-15 thousand years, then they are filled with sediments, dragged by rafts and sooner or later turn into swamps, and then dry up. Recent studies have allowed geophysicists to hypothesize that Baikal, on the contrary, is a nascent ocean. This is confirmed by the fact that its shores diverge at a rate of up to 2 cm per year, just as the continents of Africa and South America, the shores of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, etc. diverge. Along with active movements of the earth's crust, significant magnetic anomalies along the its axes. These anomalies are comparable in scale with similar anomalies in the area of ​​the mid-Atlantic fault. The lake has many features inherent in the ocean - abyssal depths, a huge mass of water, internal waves and seiches, tides, strong storms, high waves, expansion of the basin due to the spreading of the banks, large values ​​of magnetic anomalies, etc.

The lake lies in the Baikal depression - a bottomless stone bowl, surrounded on all sides by mountains. The depression is framed by medium-high mountain ranges Primorsky and Baikalsky - from the western side, Barguzinsky (with a maximum height of 2840 m) and Khamar-Daban - from the east and southeast. The depth of the depression is determined by the height of the mountains above it, the depth of the lake and the thickness of the loose sediments lining its bottom. The layer of these lake sediments in some places reaches 6,000 meters, and their volume is twice the volume of the lake and reaches 46,000 cubic kilometers. It is easy to calculate that the depth of Baikal's crystalline bed reaches 8-9 kilometers.

The most deep point Baikal's root bath lies about 7,000 meters below sea level. The Baikal depression is the deepest basin on earth's land. Its "roots" cut through the entire earth's crust and go into the upper mantle to a depth of 50-60 kilometers.

Hydrology of Lake Baikal

Every year about 60 cubic kilometers of beautiful and unique water quality is produced in Baikal, which in some cases can be used instead of distilled water. The rare purity of water is ensured by the vital activity of its unique flora and fauna. The main properties of Baikal water are characterized as follows: there are very few dissolved and suspended mineral substances in it, negligible organic impurities, and a lot of oxygen. The total mineralization of water in Baikal is 120 milligrams per liter, while in many other lakes it reaches 400 or more milligrams per liter. The total content of ions in the water of the lake is 96.7 milligrams per liter.

Its transparency depends on the purity of water. Baikal is not only extremely clean, but also the most transparent lake in the world. In the spring, after being freed from ice, the transparency of its water reaches 40 meters - ten times more than in many other lakes. The standard of the highest transparency is the water of the Sargasso Sea, approaching the transparency of distilled water. Here, the Secchi disk disappears from view at a record depth of 65 meters. Recent studies have shown that at depths of 250 - 1200 meters the transparency of Baikal water is no less than in the Sargasso Sea.

Climate characteristics

In terms of the number of hours of sunshine, Baikal is richer than the neighboring territories of Siberia and even some western and southern regions of the country - in the north of the Baikal depression (Nizhniangarsk) 1948 hours per year, in the south of the lake (Babushkin) and in the middle part (Khuzhir) 2100 and 2277, and on the Riga coast, located at the same latitude - an average of 1839 hours a year, in Abastumani in the Caucasus - 1994. The average annual air temperature in the depressions of the lake is distributed as follows: in the southern basin -0.7 C, in the middle -1.6 C , in the north -3.6 C.

Water temperature in surface layer changes from +14, +15 C (in August) to 0 C (in December-January). In coastal areas, during surges, the temperature can reach +16, +17 C, mainly under the eastern coast. In shallow bays and sors, it rises to +22, +23 C in summer. On average, the freezing of Lake Baikal begins on December 21 and ends on January 16 - it takes about a month to completely freeze. It also takes about a month or more from the beginning of the destruction of the ice cover in the southern basin, which occurs in April, to the complete cleansing of the entire reservoir in May-June. Most precipitation falls on the Khamar-Daban coast - about 800 mm / year or more, as well as in the mountains - from 1200 to 1400 mm; least of all - on the islands of Olkhon and Ushkany, on the Malomorsky coast of the lake and on the middle section of the western and eastern coasts. On average, it receives from 160 to 300 mm of precipitation per year.

Flora and fauna

The exclusivity of many physical and geographical features of the lake was the reason for the extraordinary diversity of its flora and fauna. And in this respect, it has no equal among the fresh waters of the world. Almost half of all species of freshwater mollusks live in Baikal, as well as more than half of all species of oligochaetes, shell crustaceans, etc. /3 are endemic, originated in it and are not found anywhere else in the world. Of the algae, the most numerous are diatoms - 509 species, tetrasporic and chlorococcal - 99, blue-green - 90, conjugates - 48, ulotrix - 45, golden - 28, volvox - 13 species, etc. Of the animals, the most common amphipods (gammarids) - 255 species; more than 100 species of shell crustaceans, or ostracods, more than 100 species of gastropods, 83 oligochaetes, more than 100 planarians, about 50 planarians, 56 harpacticides, more than 300 protozoa. 52 species of fish belonging to 12 families live in the lake: sturgeons, Acipenseridae, (1 species - Baikal sturgeon); salmon, Salmonidae, (5 species - davatchan, taimen, lenok, Baikal omul, Coregonus autumnalis migratorius Georgy, whitefish); graylings, Thimallidae, (1 species - Siberian grayling); pike, Esocidae, (1 species); cyprinids, Ciprinidae, (13 species); loaches, Cobitidae, (2 species); catfish, Sibiridae, (1 species); cod, Gadidae, (1 species); perch, Percidae, (1 species); sculpins, Cottidae, (7 species); Abissocottidae, (20 species); golomyankas, Comephoridae, (2 species). 29 species - very diverse in body shape, color and lifestyle of sculpins, or sculpins. Two species - viviparous fish, large and small golomyanka - are known to ichthyologists around the world.

The food pyramid of the lake ecosystem is crowned by a typical marine mammal - the seal, or the Baikal seal, Pusa sibirica Gmel.

There are 848 species of endemic animals in Baikal - about 60% and 133 species of endemic plants - 15%. Completely endemic in Baikal are 11 families and subfamilies, 96 genera, uniting about 1000 species. All this makes it possible to single out the lake in the Baikal subregion of the Holarctic, which is equivalent in area to the vast European-Siberian subregion.

Angara river

Angara - "daughter of Baikal", the only river flowing out of the lake, its length is about 1860 km. Annually, the Angara carries out 60.9 cubic km of water from Baikal, and all its tributaries bring 58.75 cubic km per year. at the confluence of the Angara has a water discharge of only about 100 cubic km. The source of the river is located at the level of Baikal, i.e. at an altitude of 456 m above sea level, and the mouth - at an altitude of 76 m. The difference is 380 m, which is used by the cascade of hydroelectric power stations built on the Angara. The width of the Angara at the source is about 1 km, the depth varies in the range of 0.5 - 6 m, the speed of the current along the fairway is 1-2 m / s.

Baikal omul

The Baikal omul (Coregonus autumnalis migratorius Georgy) is an endemic fish that came to Baikal relatively recently (during the glacial or post-glacial period), presumably from the estuarine sections of rivers flowing into the Arctic Ocean. The omul adapted well to its new ecological niche, underwent significant changes and acquired the biological characteristics of the subspecies. Four populations of omul live in Baikal: Selenga, Chivirkuy, North Baikal and embassy. The most numerous population is Selenga. It spawns mainly in the Selenga and in a number of tributaries of the lake. It lives in the southern basin of Baikal and in the southern part of the middle basin. The omul goes to spawn in the rivers from the end of August - the beginning of September to the end of November. In terms of numbers, the spawning herd reaches from one and a half - two to six - eight million individuals.

The total biomass of all age groups of omul in Baikal is about 25 - 30 thousand tons. The life expectancy of omul is up to 20-25 years, it spawns up to 6 times during its life at the age of 5-6 to 14-15 years. The average size and weight of each population is different. Size 30 - 35 cm, weight from 300 to 600 gr. The largest of the encountered specimens of the Selenga population had a weight of up to 5 kg and a length of about 50 cm.

Baikal seal

The Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica Gmel.) is the only mammal in the lake. According to the classification, the seal belongs to the family of true seals (Phocidae), the genus Pusa. Researchers believe that the Baikal seal came from a common ancestor with the ringed northern seal. It is believed that the seal penetrated from Arctic Ocean along the Yenisei and Angara during the Ice Age, when the rivers were dammed by ice advancing from the north. In the mid-80s, there were about 70 thousand heads of seals in Baikal. The age limit of the Baikal seal (according to V.D. Pastukhov) is 56 years for females and 52 years for males. Childbearing age lasts from 4-7 to 40 years, pregnancy lasts 11 months. During the life of the female can bring more than 20 cubs. The average weight of the seal in Baikal is about 50 kg, the maximum weight of males is 130-150 kg, the length is 1.7-1.8 m. The females are smaller in size - 1.3-1.6 m and up to 110 kg. (+ video clip - Baikal seal on the ice of the lake, 5-10 sec) (According to O.K. Gusev and G.N. Galaziya)

The nature of anthropogenic impact in the basin of the lake. Baikal.

Based on the materials of the TERKSOP of Lake Baikal and the "National Report of the USSR to the UN Conference of 1992 on Environment and Development", 4 main areas of detrimental anthropogenic impact on the ecosystems of the region are distinguished in the basin of Lake Baikal.

1. The basin of the Selenga River in its lower reaches with 3 large industrial centers: the Gusinoozerskaya State District Power Plant, the Selenginsky Central Control Commission and the city of Ulan-Ude. Ulan-Ude is the largest polluter of the Selenga, accounting for 53% of all wastewater discharged into the largest river Baikal basin. Above the city, the total concentration of impurities in the waters of the Selenga is 0.76 conventional units, below it increases to 62 conventional units. In 1988, the city's emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere amounted to 152.2 thousand tons, of which 58.2 thousand tons fell on the share of industrial enterprises, 94 thousand tons - vehicles.

In the same year, the Selenginsky PPM emitted 44.1 thousand tons of pollutants into the atmosphere. The plant dumped 11.9 thousand tons of mineral substances, 3.4 thousand tons of organic substances and 135 tons of suspended matter into the waters of the Selenga. Emissions into the atmosphere of Gusinoozerskaya GRES exceeded 63 thousand tons/year.

2. The southern end of the lake, where the main pollutant is the Baikal pulp and paper mill. In 1988, the plant's emissions into the atmosphere amounted to 30.4 thousand tons. harmful substances, into the water of Baikal - 51.9 thousand tons of mineral substances, 4.7 thousand tons of organic and 532 tons of suspended substances. The maximum allowable concentrations (MPC) of oil products, phenols were exceeded by 3-4 times, and the MPC of sulfates and chlorides was exceeded. As a result of the plant's activity, an extensive pollution zone was formed. The area of ​​pollution of bottom sediments is 20 sq. km. Over the past 10 years, the number of benthic species of living organisms has decreased here from 27 to 10, and the biomass of zoobenthos has decreased by 3 times.

3. Valley of the Barguzin River in the middle and lower reaches. Here, the cut down areas of the allowable cutting area are significantly exceeded, 67% of arable land is covered by erosion processes. The unregulated use of mineral fertilizers in this agricultural area may contribute to the eutrophication of the lake.

4. Severobaikalsky area - a section of the coast between the cities of Severobaikalsk and Nizhneangarsk. The commissioning of the Baikal-Amur Railway has significantly increased the anthropogenic load here. Atmospheric emissions of harmful substances in the city of Severobaikalsk in 1988 amounted to 15 thousand tons. The content of oil products in water near Severobaikalsk is 3-5 MPC, if the index is 238 tons. An additional source of pollution of Lake Baikal is the bank protection works carried out in this area.

The current influence of local anthropogenic foci in the lake basin is of a local nature, but if we consider the characteristics of the atmosphere, it covers large parts of the lake, mainly its southern basin. This influence, apart from local sources is due to the transfer of air masses from the Irkutsk territorial complex, especially the Novo-Irkutsk CHPP.

Numerous scientific studies have been devoted to the problem of the origin of the word "Baikal", which indicates a lack of clarity in this matter. There are about a dozen possible explanations for the origin of the name. Among them, the most probable is the version of the origin of the name of the lake from the Turkic-speaking Bai-Kul - a rich lake.

Of the other versions, two more can be noted: from the Mongolian Baigal - a rich fire and Baigal Dalai - a large lake. The peoples who lived on the shores of the lake called Baikal in their own way. Evenks, for example, - Lamu, Buryats - Baigal-Nuur, even the Chinese had a name for Baikal - Beihai - the North Sea.

The Evenk name Lamu - the Sea was used for several years by the first Russian explorers in the 17th century, then they switched to the Buryat Baigal, slightly softening the letter "g" by phonetic replacement. Quite often, Baikal is called the sea, simply out of respect, for its violent temper, for the fact that the far opposite shore is often hidden somewhere in the haze... At the same time, the Small Sea and the Big Sea are distinguished. The Small Sea is what is located between the northern coast of Olkhon and the mainland, everything else is the Big Sea.

Baikal water

Baikal water is unique and amazing, like Baikal itself. It is unusually transparent, pure and saturated with oxygen. In not so ancient times, it was considered healing, with its help, diseases were treated. In spring, the transparency of Baikal water, measured using the Secchi disk (a white disk with a diameter of 30 cm), is 40 m (for comparison, in the Sargasso Sea, which is considered the standard of transparency, this value is 65 m). Later, when a massive algae bloom begins, the transparency of the water decreases, but in calm weather, the bottom can be seen from a boat at a fairly decent depth. Such a high transparency is due to the fact that Baikal water, due to the activity of living organisms that live in it, is very weakly mineralized and close to distilled.

The volume of water in Baikal is about 23 thousand cubic kilometers, which is 20% of the world and 90% of Russian fresh water reserves. Every year, the Baikal ecosystem reproduces about 60 cubic kilometers of clear, oxygenated water.

Age of Lake Baikal

The age of the lake is usually given in the literature as 20-25 million years. In fact, the question of the age of Baikal should be considered open, since the use of various methods for determining the age gives values ​​from 20-30 million to several tens of thousands of years. Apparently, the first estimate is closer to the truth - Baikal is really very ancient lake. If we assume that the age of Baikal is indeed several tens of millions of years, then this is the oldest lake on Earth.

It is believed that Baikal arose as a result of the action of tectonic forces. Tectonic processes are still going on, which is manifested in the increased seismicity of the Baikal region.

Climate in the area of ​​Lake Baikal.

The climate in Eastern Siberia is sharply continental, but the huge mass of water contained in Baikal and its mountainous surroundings create an unusual microclimate. Baikal works like a big thermal stabilizer - in winter it is warmer in Baikal, and in summer a little cooler than, for example, in Irkutsk, located at a distance of 70 km from the lake. The temperature difference is usually around 10 degrees. A significant contribution to this effect is made by forests growing on almost the entire coast of Lake Baikal.

The influence of Lake Baikal is not limited to the regulation of the temperature regime. Due to the fact that the evaporation of cold water from the surface of the lake is very small, clouds cannot form over Baikal. In addition, the air masses that bring clouds from the land heat up when passing the coastal mountains, and the clouds dissipate. As a result, the sky over Baikal is clear most of the time. This is also evidenced by the numbers: the number of hours of sunshine in the region of Olkhon Island is 2277 hours (for comparison - on the Riga seashore 1839, in Abastumani (Caucasus) - 1994). You should not think that the sun always shines over the lake - if you are not lucky, then you can get one or even two weeks of disgusting rainy weather even in the sunniest place of Baikal - on Olkhon, but this is extremely rare.

The average annual water temperature on the surface of the lake is +4°C. Near the coast in summer the temperature reaches +16-17°C, in shallow bays up to +22-23°C.

Wind and waves on Baikal.

The wind on Baikal blows almost always. More than thirty local names of winds are known. This does not mean at all that there are so many different winds on Baikal, just that many of them have several names. Peculiarity Baikal winds in that almost all of them almost always blow along the coast and there are not as many shelters from them as we would like.

Prevailing winds: northwest, often called mountain winds, northeast (barguzin and verkhovik, also known as angara), southwest (kultuk), southeast (shelonnik). The maximum wind speed recorded on Lake Baikal is 40 m/s. Large values ​​are also found in the literature - up to 60 m/s, but there is no reliable evidence for this.

Where there is wind, there, as you know, there are waves. I note right away that the opposite is not true - the wave can be even with complete calm. Waves on Lake Baikal can reach a height of 4 meters. Sometimes values ​​​​of 5 and even 6 meters are given, but this is most likely an estimate “by eye”, which has a large error, as a rule, in the direction of overestimation. The height of 4 meters was obtained using instrumental measurements in the open sea. The excitement is strongest in autumn and spring. In the summer on Lake Baikal, strong excitement is rare, and calm often occurs.

Ichthyofauna of Baikal.

Depending on the habitat conditions, fish can be divided into several groups. Sturgeon, pike, burbot, ide, roach, dace, perch, minnow occupy coastal shallow waters and river deltas in Baikal. Fish of Siberian mountain rivers: grayling, taimen, lenok inhabit small tributaries of the lake and its coastal zone. Omul, since ancient times considered a symbol of Baikal, inhabits its open and coastal part, whitefish, another well-known inhabitant of Baikal, inhabits only the coastal part.

The most remarkable group of Baikal fish are gobies, of which there are 25 species. Most Interest of them are golomyanka. This miracle of Baikal is not found anywhere else in the world. Golomyanka is unusually beautiful, shimmers in the light blue and pink, and if it is left in the sun it will melt, leaving only bones and a greasy stain. She is the main and most numerous inhabitant of Baikal, but rarely gets into the nets of fishermen. Her only enemy is the seal, for which she is the main food.

In order to preserve rare and endangered animals, the strictest and complete ban on hunting, the maximum preservation of the habitat, the creation of special nurseries, national parks, nature reserves and sanctuaries

Lake Baikal is located on the territory of Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. This is the deepest lake in the world, and it is also the largest natural reservoir of fresh water.

general description

The area of ​​Lake Baikal is 31722 square kilometers, the maximum depth is 1642 meters, the average is 744. The transparency of the water can reach 40 meters. The volume is 23.6 thousand cubic kilometers. Lake Baikal is 636 kilometers long, with a maximum width of 79.5 kilometers. The length of the coastline is two thousand kilometers.

The catchment area is 570 thousand square kilometers. The only river Angara flows out, the largest of the flowing rivers - Selenga, Barguzin, Upper Angara. The total number of tributaries is not exactly known, figures are given up to 1120 rivers and streams, but most of them are not permanent watercourses.

The water surface of Lake Baikal is located at an altitude of 456 above sea level, and the lowest point (in the place where the maximum depth) is 1187 meters below world ocean level.

The history of the origin and development of the lake

The age of Lake Baikal is not exactly known, scientists speak of a gap of 25 to 35 million years. By the way, this makes Baikal unique in its own way, since the vast majority of lakes do not exist for such a long time. In 2009, it was suggested that the age of the lake is 150 thousand years, and the age of the coastline is modern form about 8 thousand years. This version found circumstantial evidence.

However, there is no exact information about the origin of the lake (as, for example, about the history of Lake Ladoga). In addition, the process of transformation of Baikal continues to this day - earthquakes occur here.

It is known that already two thousand years before our era, tribes lived on the lands near Lake Baikal, which were the ancestors of the Evenks. The first Russian who visited the lake was the Cossack Kurbat Ivanov, and Russian settlements on the banks began to appear at the end of the 17th century.

lake water

There are very few minerals in the water of Lake Baikal, a lot of oxygen and very few organic impurities. The exceptional purity of the water is possible due to the epishura crustacean, which consumes organic matter. It makes up about 90% of the biomass of the lake, and it is precisely because of its activity that the water in Baikal is very clean, and in some places its transparency reaches 40 meters.

The water is cold, Maximum temperature for the entire time of observations +23 degrees Celsius. In some places, even in summer, the water temperature of the surface layers may not exceed +9 +10 degrees. In the deep layers, the temperature is around +4 degrees.

Due to the purity and transparency of the water, the ice in Lake Baikal is very transparent. The lake freezes in early January, opens from ice in early May. By the end of winter, the thickness of the ice usually reaches one meter, in some places it can reach up to 2 meters.

The ice of Lake Baikal is very beautiful, in addition, it has certain properties and regularly throws riddles at scientists. For example, only on this lake were discovered ice tents, which are cones of ice, the height of which can reach up to six meters. Their origin has not been fully explained so far.

It is also worth noting the “stave cracks”, which are formed in approximately the same places every year. They can be up to three meters wide and up to 30 kilometers long. The ice cracks with very loud noises, and thanks to them, the fish do not suffer from a lack of oxygen.

Climate

Of course, a reservoir with such a huge water mass and area cannot but have an impact on the climate, which is quite serious. So, in the vicinity of Lake Baikal, winter on average comes two weeks later than in other areas in the neighborhood. Winters are generally milder here, however, and summers are generally cooler.

The surroundings of the lake are rich in sunny days, here their total duration is even longer than in the Black Sea resorts. There are rarely more than 40 days without sun in a year.

Baikal winds have their own names. Here are some of the most famous ones:

• Barguzin - eastern and strong wind;
• Kultuk is the name of the southwest wind;
• Verkhovik is a longitudinal wind that usually blows in sunny weather, has a northeast direction;
• Sarma - this wind is the most powerful and blows in the middle part of the lake.

The average annual temperature in the lake area has been steadily increasing in recent years. So, in 2014, an unusually warm summer was noted, then the average temperature exceeded the average for a long time by 2 degrees, and a record temperature of +34 degrees Celsius was also recorded.

earthquakes

The region of Lake Baikal is called the Baikal Rift Zone, which is an area with high seismic activity. The vast majority of earthquakes are very weak, their strength does not exceed two points (that is, they are practically not felt). But there are also strong ones. One of the strongest occurred in 1862 and its strength was 10 points (on a 12 point scale). Then an area of ​​200 square kilometers went under water. Also, strong earthquakes (more than 5 points) were recorded in 1903, 1950, 1957, 1959, 2008, 2010.

Every year, seismologists record from 3 to 7-8 thousand earthquakes in the area of ​​Lake Baikal, their sources are usually located at a depth of 12 to 20 kilometers. Points occur for the most part in the central part of the lake and on the eastern shore.

According to the history of observations, quite strong earthquakes in the area of ​​Lake Baikal occur every 2 years (strength of 6-7 points), every 10 years there are shocks of 8 points, every 75 years of 9 points. Earthquakes of magnitude 10 or more occur on average once every 175 years. The last such was in 1905, it was called the Bolnai earthquake. Then the strength of the magnitude was estimated at 8.3 points, and the intensity of tremors at the epicenter at 11 points.

Flora and fauna

2600 species and subspecies of aquatic animals live in Lake Baikal. In addition, about half are found only here, that is, they are endemic. The abundance of living organisms can be explained by the high oxygen content in the water. Of the most valuable fish, it is worth noting grayling, whitefish, Baikal sturgeon and perch, taimen, and pike.

In the area of ​​Lake Baikal there are 236 species of birds, 29 of which are waterfowl. Of the animals, the most common are bears, foxes, wolverines, wolves, sables, ermines, wild boars and others. At all, animal world Baikal is very diverse.

The flora is also very diverse. The forests are mainly coniferous - spruce, cedar, pine, larch and alder, but other species are also found. In general, it is simply impossible to briefly describe the flora and fauna of Lake Baikal, read other articles on our website.

• Animals of Lake Baikal;
• Fishes of Lake Baikal.

Ecology

Since Lake Baikal is a unique natural object, there is even a separate federal law "On the protection of Lake Baikal", which was adopted in 1999. However, the anthropogenic impact has a significant negative impact on the ecology of the lake. In particular, it is worth noting the pulp and paper mill, which is one of the most famous sources of pollution, but not the main one.

The main factor that negatively affects the ecology of Lake Baikal is the Selenga River. It is the largest tributary, and its flow exceeds the flow of all other rivers and streams combined. In its course, the Selenga River is polluted in the territory of Buryatia, the Trans-Baikal Territory (through tributaries), and Mongolia.

Unfortunately, poaching is also a very significant problem. The main objects of poaching are the Baikal seal and the omul. In total, poachers catch about half of all the fish that are caught in Lake Baikal.

In general, Lake Baikal has certain ecological problems, however, on this moment they can be recognized as not too significant (considering the volumes of the lake). However, it is extremely important to prevent an increase in pollution of the lake; this unique natural object needs protection.

Tourism

Lake Baikal is a popular tourist destination. Tourists come here not only from Russia, but also from other countries of the world. As a rule, they get through Irkutsk, Severobaikalsk or Ulan-Ude. The most popular place on the lake itself is the village of Listvyanka, from where a large number of excursions and cruises on the lake begin.

The places visited on Lake Baikal include Barguzinsky Bay, Chivyrkuisky Bay, Posolsky Bor Bay and others. There is a developed tourist infrastructure on the shores of the lake - many tourist centers, a large number of different options for excursions and cruises.

There are also many interesting places and natural attractions in the vicinity of the lake. The most famous include:

• Cape Ludar;
• Circum-Baikal Railway;
• Chersky Peak;
• Sandy Bay;
• Ushkany Islands;
• Rock Shaman-stone.

Video about Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal - what is it like?

In outline, Baikal looks like a narrow crescent, so easy to remember that it can be easily found on the map of Russia even by those who are not particularly strong in geography. Stretching from the southwest to the northeast for as much as 636 kilometers, Baikal seems to squeeze between mountain ranges, and its water surface is at an altitude of more than 450 meters above sea level, which gives every reason to consider it a mountain lake. From the west, the Baikal and Primorsky ridges adjoin it, from the east and southeast - the massifs of Ulan-Burgasy, Khamar-Daban and Barguzinsky. And all this natural landscape so harmonious that one without the other is hard to imagine.

More Oleg Kirillovich Gusev (1930-2012), candidate of biological sciences, professional hunter, editor-in-chief of Russia's oldest magazine "Hunting and hunting economy" and author of several books on conservation issues unique nature of this lake, wrote: "Baikal gives us great joy and great pleasure." And he added: “It strikes with its monumental style and the beautiful, eternal and powerful that is inherent in its very nature”, emphasizing that the more you get close to it, the more tempting it becomes, and the more clearly you understand that Baikal is unique and charmingly inimitable. Anyone who visits here at least once can be convinced of the veracity of these words.

lake depth

The depth of the lake is truly impressive - 1637 meters. According to this indicator, Baikal surpasses such largest water bodies as Tanganyika (1470 m), the Caspian Sea (1025 m), San Martin (836 m), Nyasa (706 m), Issyk-Kul (702 m) and the Great Slave Lake (614 m). m). The remaining deepest lakes in the world, twenty-two in total, are less than 600 meters deep. And the climatic conditions on Baikal, as they say, match it unique features: here the sun scorches mercilessly and cold winds blow, then storms rage and the quietest weather sets in, conducive to beach holidays.

Features and mysteries of Baikal

The coastline of the Siberian "crescent" is 2100 km long, it has 27 islands, the largest of which is Olkhon. The lake is located in a kind of basin, which, as mentioned above, is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges and hills. This gives reason to assume that the coastline of the reservoir is the same throughout. In fact, rocky and steep is only West Coast Baikal. The relief of the eastern one is more gentle: in some places the mountain peaks are at a distance of 10 or more kilometers from the coast.

Lake Baikal water

23,615.39 km³ - such a fantastic figure measures the reserves of Baikal water. According to this indicator, the lake is second only to the Caspian Sea. Considering that in the latter it is salty, it is Baikal that occupies the first line of the world ranking in terms of fresh water reserves, that is, suitable for drinking water. In addition, it is extremely transparent, and all thanks to a very small amount of suspended and dissolved minerals, not to mention organic impurities - they are generally negligible here. At a depth of up to 35-40 meters, you can even distinguish individual stones, especially in spring, when the water turns blue. It also has a huge supply of oxygen. It is not for nothing that Baikal is called the national treasure of Russia for the combination of such unique properties and qualities.

The water in Baikal is very clean. Previously, it could be drunk directly from the lake and not even boiled. But now crowds of tourists have rushed to Lake Baikal, who still pollute this area, so now, before drinking Baikal water, you should ask the locals where this can be done.

Baikal ice

The time of freezing on the lake lasts on average from the beginning of January to the beginning of May. During this period, it freezes almost completely. The only exception is a small 15-20-kilometer section located at the source of the Angara. At the end of winter, the ice thickness can reach 1 meter, and even more in the bays - one and a half to two meters. In severe frosts, huge cracks form on the ice, which are called here “stand cracks”. They are so impressive that they can reach from 10 to 30 km in length. The width, however, is small: only 2-3 m. Such “slits” literally tear the ice cover into separate fields. If it were not for cracks, the formation of which is accompanied by a loud, like a cannon shot, sound, then lake fish would die en masse from a lack of oxygen.

Baikal ice has a number of other features that are unique to it, and truly mysterious, which scientists have not been able to explain. Back in the middle of the last century, specialists from the local limnological station discovered the so-called "hills" - hollow ice hills in the shape of a cone, reaching a height of 5-6 meters. Being "open" to the side opposite the shore, they even somewhat resemble tents. Sometimes there are "solitary hills", that is, located separately from each other. In some cases, they are grouped, forming "mountain ranges" in miniature.

Dark rings on the lake

Another riddle - dark rings, whose diameter is 5-7 km (moreover, the width of the lake itself is 80 km). They have nothing to do with the "belt of Saturn", although they were also discovered through satellite imagery. Satellite photographs of amazing formations, taken back in 2009 in different parts of Lake Baikal, went around the entire Internet. Scientists puzzled for a long time: what could it be? And they came to the conclusion that the rings arise due to the rise of deep waters and an increase in the temperature of the upper layer in the center of the ring structure. And as a result, a clockwise flow arises, reaching in some zones maximum speeds. As a result, vertical water exchange increases, provoking the destruction of the ice cover in an accelerated mode.

Bottom of Baikal

It is impossible not to say about the bottom of the amazing reservoir. It also differs from others, and above all in that it has a very pronounced relief - there are even underwater mountain ranges here. The three main basins of the lake - northern, southern and middle, separated by the Akademichesky and Selenginsky ridges - are distinguished by a pronounced bed. The first ridge (its maximum height above the bottom is 1848 meters) is especially expressive: it stretches for as much as 100 km from Olkhon Island to the Ushkany Islands.

earthquakes

Another feature of these places is high seismic activity. Fluctuations of the earth's crust here occur regularly, but the strength of most earthquakes does not exceed one or two points. But there have been powerful ones in the past. For example, in 1862, when a ten-point “shake” led to the sinking of an entire piece of land in the northern part of the Selenga delta, one of the many tributaries of Baikal, under water. Its area was 200 km, about 1500 people lived in this territory. Later, a bay formed here, which is called the Failure. Strong earthquakes also occurred in 1903, 1950, 1957 and 1959. The epicenter of the latter, 9-point, was at the bottom of the lake in the area of ​​the rural settlement of Sukhaya. The aftershocks were then also felt in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude - about 5-6 points. In our time, the region was shaking in 2008 and 2010: the strength of the tremors was 9 and 6.1 points, respectively.

Origin of Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal still hides the secret of its origin. Researchers often argue about its age, coming to the conclusion that it is at least 25-35 million years. The indicator is impressive, especially considering that the life cycle of most lakes, and in the first place glacial origin, does not exceed 10-15 thousand years. After this period, they either become swampy or filled with silty sediments. With Baikal, nothing like this has happened and is not happening. And, according to scientists, is unlikely to happen in the future. The lack of signs of aging is explained by the fact that the lake is ... a nascent ocean. The hypothesis did not arise out of the blue: as it turned out, its banks move away from each other by 2 cm every year.

Flora and fauna

An interesting fact: the purity of Baikal water - by the way, very cold (the temperature of the surface layers even in the warm season does not exceed an average of + 8-9 ° C) - is maintained by the microscopic crustacean epishura, one of the most famous local endemics. In the course of its life, this 1.5 mm crustacean consumes organic matter (algae), passing water through its small organism. The role of epishura in the ecosystem of the lake can hardly be overestimated: it forms 90 or more percent of its biomass, serving in turn as food for the Baikal omul and predatory invertebrates. In the processes of self-purification of Lake Baikal, oligochaetes or oligochaetes also play a significant role, 84.5 percent of which are endemic.

Of the 2600 species and subspecies of the local fauna, more than half of the aquatic animals are endemic, that is, living exclusively in this lake. Among the fish, one can also distinguish grayling, Baikal sturgeon, whitefish, taimen, pike, burbot and others. Of particular interest is the golomyanka, which, from a human point of view, “suffers” from obesity: its body contains about 30% fat. She loves to eat so much that in search of food every day she makes a “journey” from the depths to shallow water, which surprises researchers a lot. This underwater inhabitant is also unique in that it belongs to viviparous fish. The distant "neighbors" of golomyankas can be called freshwater sponges growing at great depths. Their presence here is an exclusive phenomenon: they are not found in any other lake.

If the biosphere of the lake is presented in the form of a pyramid, then it will be crowned by the Baikal seal or seal, which is the only mammal in this reservoir. Almost all the time he lives in the water. The only exception is autumn, when seals lie en masse on rocky shores, forming a kind of "settlement". Many other inhabitants of Baikal also explore the coast and islands, for example, gulls, goldeneyes, shelducks, mergansers, white-tailed eagles and other birds. Characteristic for these places is such a phenomenon as coming to the coast, and in droves, brown bears. And in the mountainous Baikal taiga you can meet musk deer - the smallest deer on Earth.

Attractions of Baikal

Lake Baikal is so majestic that it is often called the Siberian Sea. In 1996, it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. world heritage. But not only due to the unique ecosystem that requires careful treatment - there are also many historical and architectural sights, not to mention natural and cultural monuments.

One of them is located near the lake, at the source of the Angara, a reserved rock called the Shaman-stone. It can be seen in the middle of the river, between capes Rogatka and Ustyansky. If you focus on the line of the Port-Baikal ferry crossing, then the rock will be 800 meters lower. Since ancient times, the Shaman-stone was endowed by the inhabitants of the Angara region with unusual power, they prayed near it and performed various shamanic rites.

Between the mainland and the Svyatoy Nos peninsula is perhaps the most famous bay on Baikal - Chivyrkuisky. Its area is approximately 300 km², it is the second largest on the lake, and it is also shallow (about 10 m deep). Thanks to the latter circumstance, the water in the bay warms up well, on average up to +24 degrees. On the southwestern coast there are such settlements as Kurbulik, Katun and Monakhovo. The main wealth of the bay is fish resources. Here you can find pike, perch, horned catfish, the weight of which can reach tens of kilograms. However, fishing on an industrial scale is prohibited - only amateur. The Chivyrkuisky Bay is also known for its thermal spring, one of the hottest: the temperature of the water used to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system ranges from 38.5-45.5 ° C. The source is located in the Zmeina Bay, on the western side.

On northeast coast Lake Baikal is a tract belonging to the natural-geographical region Podlemorye. It is called Frolikha and includes the river of the same name, which flows into the Baikal Frolikha Bay and flows out of the lake with the same name. In the river valley - its channel, by the way, crosses the well-known tourist route 95 km long - there is the Frolikhinsky nature reserve. Together with the Trans-Baikal National Park and the Barguzinsky Reserve, it is subordinate to the federal budgetary state institution "Reserved Podlemorye".

Other attractions:

• Northern Baikal is the last site on the great lake, the nature of which, due to the remoteness and lack of roads, retains its originality,
• Barguzinsky Bay is the largest and deepest in Baikal,
• Ushkany Islands is a small archipelago with rocky shores in the Barguzinsky district of Buryatia,
• Peschanaya Bay, known for its unique beauty,
• Cape Ryty is the northernmost point of the coast, where there are extensive pastures, and one of the most anomalous places,
• Cape Ludar, located near the old village of Zabaikalskoye,
• Chersky Peak - from its slopes the Slyudanka and Bezymyannaya rivers begin, flowing into Baikal,
• The Circum-Baikal Railway, which has historical significance.

Rest on Baikal

It is along the Circum-Baikal railway In the 80s of the XX century, the Bureau of International Youth Tourism "Sputnik" (Irkutsk) developed the first ecological tour. Since that time, ecotourism on Baikal has been actively developing, despite the fact that the tourist infrastructure is not well developed here, there are some transport difficulties. There are also problems associated with environmental pollution by emissions from the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill. But all of them are to some extent compensated by the activities for the creation and arrangement of excursion trails, regularly carried out by tourist organizations in the region.

The most favorable time for relaxing on the lake is from May to October. You can swim in July and August, since these months are the hottest - the air warms up to + 30 ° C, shallow water - up to + 25 ° C. Vacation on Lake Baikal will satisfy the needs of even the most demanding tourists. Beach holidays, bicycle and car excursions, hiking along the coast, rafting on catamarans and kayaks, quad biking and even helicopter tours - these are far from complete list what travel agencies offer to their customers. Climbing coastal cliffs and descending into caves are popular.

Fishing

Fishing should be mentioned separately. Many amateurs fish from the rocks adjacent to the lake. The most reckless anglers prefer to settle in specialized bases, of which there are many, and which differ in different levels of comfort. They go fishing on rented vessels. The most popular places for fishing on Baikal are the already mentioned Chivyrkuisky Bay, Mukhor Bay, the shallow bays of the Small Sea and, of course, the rivers flowing into it. The largest of them (besides the Selenga) are the Upper Angara, Snezhnaya, Barguzin, Kichera, Turka, Buguldeyka and Goloustnaya. And only one river flows out of the lake - the Angara.

Fishing, only now under the ice, finds its fans in the winter season, which here lasts from late December to mid-May. Fans of the "second Russian hunt" are helped by professional instructors: without them, it is difficult for inexperienced fishermen to do in an unusual transparent ice correct hole. They willingly share the secrets of how to organize a comfortable stay in the conditions of 40-degree frosts, which are not uncommon for Baikal. And those who do not want to test their health with extreme cold, go underwater fishing in March and April. At this time, the ice is still strong, and the air temperature begins to reach positive levels.

Winter sports

Of winter entertainment, tourists are also offered skiing. dog sledding(routes are very different both in complexity and length), snowmobile rides ( excursion programs are also different and depend on the level of preparedness of the riders), riding skiing, sledges and snowboards (you can rent ski equipment at numerous rental points on the coast). In winter, as, indeed, in summer, helicopter excursions are held in high esteem among vacationers, giving unforgettable impressions for a lifetime.

Children and youth tourism

Sufficiently developed on Baikal and children's tourism involving rest in summer camps. We will immediately please parents: your children will not be bored here. Staying in a children's institution involves a rich excursion and creative program, including the holding of sanatorium and health-improving events at specialized bases. One of the most convenient places on Baikal for recreation with young children is Mandarkhan Bay. It seems as if it was specially created by nature for this purpose: it is very shallow, and in summer there is perhaps the warmest water here and children do not risk catching a cold.

The youth is not left unattended. For her, the interregional public organization "Great Baikal Trail", established in 2003, implements various international programs, taking into account the specifics and needs of the age of up to 30. For example, the arrangement and reconstruction of ecological paths, holding educational lectures on nature conservation. Schoolchildren are also actively involved as listeners of the latter.

Video: The underwater world of Lake Baikal

Hotels and recreation centers on Lake Baikal

Many tourists come to rest on Baikal, as they say, savages, getting on their cars. They choose a place they like on the coast and stop there, spending the night in tents. There are very few campsites specially equipped for motorists on the lake. If you plan to stop at such a site, you should take into account that there may not be firewood and basic amenities (for example, a toilet) in this place. Therefore, think in advance about how you will “survive”.

Such experiences will be spared by those who prefer to travel in comfort, even minimal. At their service are many hotels, recreation centers and guest houses scattered along the entire coast of Lake Baikal. Moreover, each tourist will be able to find the most suitable accommodation option for him - taking into account, of course, individual preferences and financial capabilities. We are forced to upset the bohemian public: there are no five-star hotels with the highest level of service here. She, like "mere mortals", will have to be content with ordinary rooms with all amenities. Another note: some recreation centers accept tourists only in the summer.

Tourists traveling on their own run the risk of running into unscrupulous intermediaries when booking a hotel room or recreation center. To prevent this from happening, book a hotel room only through proven and reliable services, which will not only save you from scammers, but also allow you to rent a room at the lowest cost, without unnecessary markups. We recommend Booking.com, one of the first and most popular online hotel booking systems.

How to get there

There are various ways to get to Baikal. The starting point is usually the nearby big cities: Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Severobaikalsk. Tourists first come to one of these settlements and plan their further route in detail there. The trip on the section of the Trans-Siberian Railway between Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk is especially memorable: the lake stretches right outside the train windows and you can admire its magical panorama for hours.

One of the most popular places tourism on the Siberian Sea is the village of Listvyanka, located at the source of the Angara, it is 65 km from Irkutsk. From regional center you can get here by bus or boat, the travel time is a little more than an hour. All routes originate in Irkutsk water transport, plying not only on Baikal, but also on the Angara.

What is Lake Baikal? Where is? Surely many travelers asked this question, trying to refresh their school knowledge. Baikal is considered the largest. It is the largest fresh water reservoir on the planet. By age, depth and reserves drinking water he just has no competition.
So Baikal! There are legends about it as about a formidable and angry lake. The well-known reservoir is awarded with different epithets: “the blue eye of Siberia”, “the sacred gift of nature”, “the world source of drinking water”.

Baikal. Where is the lake?

The lake is located in the south of Eastern Siberia. This is on the border and Buryatia on the Asian continent. Now remember where Lake Baikal is? A photo of the famous lake will help everyone imagine the Siberian beauty of the reservoir. Scientists have recorded the area of ​​the water surface of Lake Baikal - 31,722 square kilometers. This figure can be equated to the area of ​​Belgium or the Netherlands. The width of the mysterious reservoir reaches 79 kilometers. The length of Baikal is 620 kilometers. From a bird's eye view, the lake looks like a giant crescent. Baikal is the deepest lake. According to research data, its maximum depth is 1642 meters.

No one can exactly answer the question of where the name Baikal itself came from. This topic has been the subject of many scientific papers and literary publications. But not a single scientist was able to provide peremptory evidence in relation to at least one theoretical conjecture.

Where Baikal is located, beliefs and legends live. In the past, the peoples living near Lake Baikal called the lake in their own way: “big reservoir” or “rich water”. If we take into account the age of the reservoir, then, according to research data, Baikal was formed more than 20 million years ago.

usually lakes ice age live for about 15 thousand years, and then gradually disappear from the face of the earth. However, Baikal does not show any signs of aging. Judging by the studies of recent years, geophysicists have put forward the assumption that Baikal may well be a nascent ocean.

Miscellaneous

The Baikal pit is recognized as the cleanest storage of drinking water on the planet. The lake is incredibly clean and rich in oxygen. Connoisseurs believe that this water is close to distilled water in its properties. Earlier Baikal water was used for treatment. There is a huge variety of living forms in Lake Baikal. This is a fish: the famous omul, whitefish, perch and salmon family. Which of the animal world can still be found in the area where the lake is located. Baikal?

Baikal seals and noisy gulls live on the coast. Sometimes there are brown bears that came out of the forests. Scientists count about 847 species of representatives of the animal world and approximately 133 species of various plants in the nature of Baikal.

Thanks to this diversity large quantity tourists flock to this amazing place to inhale a breath of fresh Baikal oxygen. Every year there is an intensive development of infrastructure on Lake Baikal. This encourages everyone who has been here to visit the proposed recreation area many times.

Where to stay on Baikal? Various hotels, sanatoriums, tour operators are provided to the attention of vacationers. All conditions are created for the traveler to improve his physical and spiritual health. For many years, the thermal and mud springs of Goryachinsky, Zmeevoy, Khakusy have been famous for their healing properties.

All named natural springs- a great help to a person in the treatment of blood circulation, nervous system and skin diseases. The most popular spring is the Snake Bay. Despite the lack of amenities, the number of people coming here is constantly growing.

Baikal is able to tear a person away from the usual civilization, amaze with landscapes and fill with life-giving energy! Of course, having come to Baikal once, it is impossible to study the entire local culture. To begin with, use the services of guides or plan excursions in advance.

Think about what you will travel on: a bicycle, a car or an ATV? And if you are an excellent rider, then a horse is an excellent companion for such journeys. If the question arises about what time of the year is the cheapest time to relax on Lake Baikal, then you should go in September. It was during this period that prices for sanatoriums and services of tour operators were significantly reduced.

Baikal. Where is the place that can cause excitement among the male part of the population? This is a fishing area! Such entertainment delights all fans of an exciting activity. On the territory of Lake Baikal there is a great opportunity to let everyone show their fishing skills. The most popular places for this are the Chivyrkuisky Bay, the Small Sea, the Proval Bay and Lake Baikal itself.

There is indeed an abundance of fish in these water areas, but catching them is not an easy task. Some tourists even have to resort to the services of instructors. But that's okay!

It is worth practicing - and you will be with a catch! Most likely, friends, looking at a photo on this topic, will ask: "Where are you?" After a little silence, you will probably give a proud answer: "How where? Lake Baikal!"

Winter fishing has its advantages. It is no less exciting than in the warm season: fewer people, therefore - peace and a sense of freedom.

Rest on famous lake Baikal is quite diverse. If you dream of swimming, summer fishing and other entertainment in the hot season, then it is better to go on vacation in July-August. At the beginning of summer, it is still cold on Lake Baikal, and the water is not warm enough. And in the northern part of the reservoir there are even floating ice floes. The end of August can overshadow the pastime of travelers with gusty winds. Water during this period is mixed, and its temperature drops. But for those travelers looking for solitude in nature, autumn is a great time of the year. The local coastal vegetation is painted in bright colors, forcing the tourist to capture this beauty in the photo.

Where to relax on Baikal?

If you know what you expect from this trip, it will be easier to decide on a vacation spot. For those who prefer the thick of the masses, the roar of various music and the roar of jet skis, west coast Olkhon Islands, Peschanaya Bay, the coast of the Small Sea, the coast from the village of Baikalskoye to the city of Severobaikalsk, the Circum-Baikal Railway.

Cruise on the Circum-Baikal Railway - a win-win option interesting holiday. Usually the tour lasts 2 days by train. On this trip, the guide will tell travelers about famous places Lake Baikal. There are short stops at interesting places. Therefore, you can contemplate nature in these parts to your heart's content.

The places where Baikal is located offer everyone the comfort of tourist bases and sanatoriums of Southern Baikal (Utulik, Elektra, Angara and others). This should save the vacationer from questions about where to live on Baikal. Small Sea is a bit secluded, and accommodation here is possible in a yurt at affordable rates. Olkhon Island is located in an inaccessible place. It can only be reached on foot or by boat. This is a great recreation area for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city.

You can diversify your pastime on the deepest reservoir by taking part in a cruise on a boat or yacht. This way you can visit the wild shores of Lake Baikal. Group excursion routes are known. They are notable for the fact that vacationers can visit the most unusual corners Baikal region.

If a tourist has a desire to use the rest in order to restore physical health, then he can resort to the services of hot springs in the north of the lake. Active travelers will enjoy hiking and horse riding, as well as exciting rafting on mountain rivers. lovers winter holiday can arrange walks ice rink Lake Baikal, go snowmobiling or dog sledding. For fans skiing from December to May, the tourist base "Sobolinaya Mountain" is actively operating.

Rest on Baikal as a savage

On Baikal? And How? Recreation as a savage is the most freedom-loving. For those who love adventure, Lake Baikal is a real find! by the most suitable place Peschanaya Bay is considered to be such a pastime. Only here a real tourist feels an absolute separation from civilization - there is no connection, no roads.

Only private yachts and the motor ship "Barguzin" go here, departing from the pier of Irkutsk. Small houses or tents are provided for vacationers. This island has pristine nature. It is so alluring that it literally bewitches tourists, forcing them to return here again and again.

At the service of savage travelers is a tourist center that can offer interesting excursions. Where to relax on Baikal as a savage? Magnificent Island Olkhon is ready to receive a wanderer! It can charm every person with the harmony of its forests and steppes. Olkhon is unforgettable fishing and a lot of positive emotions.

mysterious rock

This island is interesting as a place for shamans. There are opinions that there is a tomb of Genghis Khan. Some locals still worship spirits today. Old-timers can tell travelers a lot about the mysterious Shaman Rock.

It is the highlight of Lake Baikal. Researchers of this area claim that in ancient times the Buryats brought a huge number of sacrifices to the rock. There are many legends on this subject. One of them says that on Cape Shaman-Rocks lives Ezhin - the owner of the island. Until now, local residents treat this place with due respect.

Among the tourists there are few daredevils who are ready to approach the Shaman Mountain. According to legend, this place is endowed with a special energy power. The photographs leave as a memory for travelers the drawings of shaman tambourines carved on the rock by ancient people. Unfortunately, these images are partly destroyed due to the intervention of the human hand in an attempt to quarry the marble.

Sights of Irkutsk

In those places where Lake Baikal is located, the city of Irkutsk is the most unexplored and underestimated tourist destination in the world. Many Russians have vague ideas about this place of rest. It's a pity!

Foreign tourists visit Irkutsk sights with unconcealed interest. After all, this is a storehouse of natural and man-made works. Connoisseurs of architecture visit the Exaltation of the Cross Church with pleasure.

After all, its structure is unique: the fences of the temple and the crosses are made according to the old model of blacksmithing. Another famous attraction of Irkutsk is the Taltsy architectural and ethnographic museum. It is located under open sky and keeps real masterpieces of architecture!

Tourists who come here can become witnesses Orthodox holidays: in winter - Christmas and Maslenitsa, in summer - Trinity. IN winter time For years, residents of Irkutsk have been building snowy towns, riding down ice slides on cow skins! Agree that this forgotten vacation can bring real pleasure to every traveler.

After such festivities, you can heartily enjoy hot dishes of native Russian cuisine: hot pancakes, meat goulash, Siberian dumplings! Along with this, everyone can taste Japanese and Chinese dishes in cafes, bars and restaurants at reasonable prices.

extreme vacation

So, you have come to Baikal! Where is the place that will give a drive to the traveler? What else will conquer this famous territory of a vacationer? Baikal is able to provide the traveler with an extreme type of recreation that can cause him a special surge of emotions and adrenaline. This is especially facilitated by dynamic rafting along the mountain rivers of the territory of Baikal. Such water trips are notable for the fact that after such a trip there is no longer any tourist who is indifferent to this type of recreation.

Worth seeing at least once wildlife Siberian taiga, rafting down a stormy river with a group of comrades. Memories of the euphoria of such a trip will accompany many years. So let's remember that mountain rivers originate in the upper reaches of the mountain. River layers of water from there rush down - to the plateaus and plains. Due to sudden changes in altitude, the speed of the flow of mountain rivers is from 25 to 30 kilometers per hour. The number of obstacles encountered on the path of the current (rocks, waterfalls) determine the complexity category of water rafting.

The first category includes calm water, the sixth - obstacles with waterfalls and rapids reaching up to 15 meters. Tourists can conquer such mountain rivers on rafts. This is the most popular ship for such an extreme type of recreation. It is an inflatable boat. Its bottom contains holes for draining water that has got inside the boat.

The raft differs from ordinary inflatable boats in that its design is reinforced with a durable shell, special attachments for travelers' legs and two-layer balloons. The raft is used when passing water obstacles of 1-5 categories of difficulty.

To get more acute emotions when passing the river rapids, tourists use a catamaran. These are two inflatable balloons made of very durable material, which are interconnected by an aluminum partition. The catamaran on the water is well stable and gives a stronger feeling than a raft.

To control a catamaran, more precise actions are needed. It usually accommodates 2-4 people. On such a device, it is possible to pass water obstacles from 1 to 6 categories of complexity.

If you wonder where to visit Baikal, then you should make a trip to the top of Mount Munku - Sardyk. Such a trip can be unforgettable, as this place is considered the most high point Eastern Siberia. Tourists who have reached the snow-white peak will have stunning views of the lakes frozen under the ice. At this moment, it will seem simply incredible! The best time to enjoy such beauty is April and May.

Tourists who have been to Baikal more than once note that, most likely, this trip will change a beginner. The mystery of this Siberian place is able to touch the thin spiritual strings of a person, awakening in him a sense of novelty and harmony.