Lake Baikal mainland. Lake Baikal

Numerous scientific studies have been devoted to the problem of the origin of the word “Baikal,” which indicates a lack of clarity on this issue. There are about a dozen possible explanations for the origin of the name.

Among them, the most probable version is considered to be the origin of the name of the lake from the Turkic-speaking Bai-Kul - rich lake.

Of the other versions, two more can be noted: from the Mongolian Baigal - rich fire and Baigal Dalai - 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 - North Sea.

The Evenki name Lamu - 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, because the distant opposite shore is often hidden somewhere in the haze... At the same time, a distinction is made between the Small Sea and the Big Sea. 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, clean and saturated with oxygen. In not so ancient times, it was considered healing, and diseases were treated with its help. In spring, the transparency of Baikal water, measured using a 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 massive algae blooms begin, the transparency of the water decreases, but in calm weather the bottom can be seen from a boat at a fairly decent depth.

Usually in the literature the age of the lake is given 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 age gives values ​​from 20-30 million to several tens of thousands of years. Apparently, the first assessment is closer to the truth - Baikal is indeed very ancient lake. If we assume that Baikal is actually several tens of millions of years old, then it is the oldest lake on Earth.

It is believed that Baikal arose as a result of tectonic forces. Tectonic processes also occur in present time

, which manifests itself in increased seismicity in the Baikal region.

Climate in the area of ​​Lake Baikal. Climate in Eastern Siberia sharply continental, but huge mass of water

, contained in Baikal, and its mountainous surroundings create an extraordinary microclimate. Baikal works as a large thermal stabilizer - in winter it is warmer on Baikal, and in summer it is a little cooler than, for example, in Irkutsk, which is located 70 km from the lake. The temperature difference is usually about 10 degrees. A significant contribution to this effect is made by forests growing almost along the entire coast of Lake Baikal. The influence of Baikal is not limited to temperature regulation.

Due to the fact that evaporation cold water

from the surface of the lake is very insignificant; clouds cannot form over Baikal. In addition, the air masses that bring clouds from land heat up when they pass over the coastal mountains, and the clouds dissipate. As a result, the sky over Lake Baikal is clear most of the time. This is also evidenced by the numbers: the number of hours of sunshine in the area of ​​Olkhon Island is 2277 hours (for comparison - on the Riga seaside 1839, in Abastumani (Caucasus) - 1994). You should not think that the sun always shines over the lake - if you are unlucky, you can end up with one or even two weeks of disgusting rainy weather even in the sunniest place of Lake Baikal - on Olkhon, but this happens extremely rarely.

Average annual temperature

Prevailing winds: north-west, often called mountain, north-east (Barguzin and Verkhovik, also known as Angara), south-west (kultuk), south-east (shelonnik). The maximum wind speed recorded on Lake Baikal is 40 m/s. In the literature there are also higher values ​​- up to 60 m/s, but there is no reliable evidence for this.

Where there is wind, there are, as you know, waves. Let me immediately note that the opposite is not true - a wave can occur even with complete calm. Waves on 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, usually towards overestimation. The height of 4 meters was obtained using instrumental measurements in the open sea.

The excitement is strongest in autumn and spring. In summer, strong waves on Lake Baikal are rare, and calm often occurs. Ichthyofauna of Baikal. Depending on their habitat conditions, fish can be divided into several groups.

Sturgeon, pike, burbot, ide, roach, dace, perch, and minnow occupy the coastal shallows and river deltas of Lake 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

famous resident Baikal, inhabits only the coastal part. The most remarkable group of Baikal fish are gobies, of which there are 25 species. The most interesting of them are the golomyankas. This miracle of Baikal is not found anywhere else in the world. Golomyanka is incredibly beautiful, shimmers blue and pink in the light, and if you leave it in the sun it will melt, leaving only bones and a greasy stain. She is the main and most numerous inhabitant of Baikal, but she rarely gets caught in fishermen’s nets. Its only enemy is the seal, for which it is the main food.

To preserve rare and endangered animals, there is a strict and complete ban on hunting, maximum conservation of the habitat, the creation of special nurseries,

national parks

, nature reserves and sanctuaries mountain lake. The Baikal and Primorsky ranges adjoin it from the west, and the Ulan-Burgasy, Khamar-Daban and Barguzin massifs from the east and southeast. And this whole natural landscape is so harmonious that it’s hard to imagine one without the other.

Also Oleg Kirillovich Gusev (1930-2012), Candidate of Biological Sciences, professional game specialist, editor-in-chief of the oldest magazine in Russia “Hunting and Hunting Management” 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 amazes with its monumental style and the beautiful, eternal and powerful that lies in its very nature,” emphasizing that the more you get closer to it, the more tempting it becomes, and the clearer you understand that Baikal is unique and enchantingly 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. In this indicator, Baikal surpasses such largest reservoirs as Tanganyika (1470 m), Caspian Sea (1025 m), San Martin (836 m), Nyasa (706 m), Issyk-Kul (702 m) and Great Slave Lake (614 m). m). The rest of the deepest lakes in the world, twenty-two in total, have a depth of less than 600 meters. A climatic conditions on Baikal, as they say, matches its unique features: here the sun mercilessly scorches and cold winds blow, then storms rage and the quietest weather sets in, conducive to a beach holiday.

Features and mysteries of Baikal

Length coastline The Siberian “crescent” is 2100 km long and contains 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 shoreline of the reservoir is the same throughout. In fact, only the western coast of Lake Baikal is rocky and steep. The relief of the east is more flat: in some places Mountain peaks are located 10 kilometers or more from the coast.

Lake Baikal water

Clear water of Lake Baikal

23,615.39 km³ - this 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 place in the world ranking in terms of fresh water reserves, that is, suitable for drinking. In addition, it is extremely transparent, and all thanks to a very small amount of suspended and dissolved minerals, not to mention organic impurities - there are generally negligible amounts of them. At a depth of 35-40 meters, you can even distinguish individual stones, especially in spring, when the water turns blue. It is also distinguished by its huge reserves of oxygen. It is not for nothing that Baikal, for its combination of such unique properties and qualities, is called the national treasure of Russia.

The water in Baikal is very clean. Previously, you could drink it straight from the lake and not even boil it. But now crowds of tourists have flocked to Baikal, who still pollute this area, so now, before drinking Baikal water, you should ask the local residents where you can do this.

Ice of Baikal

The freeze-up period on the lake lasts on average from early January to early May. During this period it freezes almost completely. The only exception is a small 15-20 km section located at the source of the Angara. At the end of winter, the thickness of the ice can reach 1 meter, and in the bays it is even more – one and a half to two meters. During severe frosts, huge cracks form on the ice, which are called “stagnant 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 “cracks” literally tear the ice blanket into separate fields. If it were not for the cracks, the formation of which is accompanied by a loud sound, like a cannon shot, then the lake fish would die en masse from lack of oxygen.

The ice of Lake Baikal also has a number of other features that are unique to it, and truly mysterious, which scientists have never 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” in the direction opposite to the shore, they even somewhat resemble tents. Sometimes there are “single hills”, that is, located separately from each other. In some cases, they are grouped, forming “mountain ranges” in miniature.

Ice of Lake Baikal

Dark rings on the lake


Another mystery - dark rings, whose diameter is 5-7 km (and the width of the lake itself is 80 km). They have nothing in common with the “Saturn belt”, although they were also discovered through space photography. Satellite photographs of amazing formations, taken back in 2009 in different parts of Lake Baikal, went around the entire Internet. Scientists have been scratching their heads 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 occurs, reaching maximum speeds in certain zones. As a result, vertical water exchange increases, provoking the destruction of the ice cover at an accelerated rate.

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. The three main basins of the lake - northern, southern and middle, separated by the Academic 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.

Bottom of Lake Baikal

Earthquakes


Another feature of these places is high seismic activity. Oscillations of the earth's crust occur regularly here, 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 section of land in the northern part of the Selenga delta, one of the many tributaries of Lake Baikal. Its area was 200 km, about 1,500 people lived on this territory. Later, a bay was formed here, which is called Proval. Strong earthquakes also occurred in 1903, 1950, 1957 and 1959. The epicenter of the latter, magnitude 9, was at the bottom of the lake in the area of ​​the rural settlement of Sukhaya. The tremors were then also felt in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude - about 5-6 points. In our time, the region shook 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 old. The indicator is impressive, especially considering that the life cycle of most lakes, primarily those of glacial origin, does not exceed 10-15 thousand years. After this period, they either become swamped or filled with silty sediments. Nothing like this has happened and is not happening with Baikal. And, according to scientists, it is unlikely to happen in the future. The lack of signs of aging is explained by the fact that the lake is... an emerging 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 on average + 8-9 ° C) - is maintained by the microscopic crustacean epishura, one of the most famous local endemics. During its life, this 1.5-mm crustacean consumes organic matter (algae), passing water through its small body. The role of epishura in the lake’s ecosystem can hardly be overestimated: it forms 90 percent or more of its biomass, serving in turn as food for the Baikal omul and predatory invertebrates. Oligochaetes or oligochaete worms, 84.5 percent of which are endemic, also play a significant role in the self-purification processes of Baikal.

Of the 2,600 species and subspecies of the local fauna, more than half of the aquatic animals are endemic, that is, living exclusively in this lake. Other fish include 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 greatly surprises researchers. This underwater resident is also unique in that it is a viviparous fish. Distant “neighbors” of golomyankas include freshwater sponges that grow 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 imagined in the form of a pyramid, then it will be crowned by the Baikal seal or the seal, which is the only mammal in this reservoir. Almost all the time he lives in water. The only exception is autumn, when seals lie en masse on rocky shores, forming a kind of “settlement”. The coast and islands are also inhabited by many other inhabitants of Lake Baikal, for example, seagulls, goldeneyes, razorbills, mergansers, white-tailed eagles and other birds. Characteristic of these places is the phenomenon of brown bears coming onto the shores in large numbers. And in the mountainous Baikal taiga you can find musk deer - the smallest deer on Earth.

Sights of Baikal

Lake Baikal is so majestic that it is often called the Siberian Sea. In 1996 it was included in the UNESCO list of sites World Heritage. But not only due to the unique ecosystem that requires careful treatment - there are also many historical and architectural attractions concentrated here, not to mention natural and cultural monuments.

One of them is a protected rock called the Shaman Stone, located near the lake, at the source of the Angara. It can be seen in the middle of the river, between capes Rogatka and Ustyansky. If you focus on the line ferry crossing“Port Baikal”, 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 powers; they prayed near it and performed various shamanic rituals.

Between the mainland and the Svyatoy Nos peninsula there is perhaps the most famous bay on Lake Baikal - Chivyrkuisky. Its area is approximately 300 km², it is the second largest on the lake, and is also shallow (depth about 10 m). Thanks to the latter circumstance, the water in the bay warms up well, on average up to +24 degrees. On southwest coast such settlements as Kurbulik, Katun and Monakhovo are located. The main wealth of the bay is its fish resources. Here you can find pike, perch, and sorog, the weight of which can reach tens of kilograms. However, fishing on an industrial scale is prohibited - only amateur fishing. Chivyrkuisky Bay is also famous 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 Zmeinaya Bay, on the western side.

On the north-eastern coast of Lake Baikal there is a tract belonging to the natural-geographical region of Podlemorye. It is called Frolikha and includes the river of the same name, which flows into the Baikal Bay of Frolikha and flows out of the lake of the same name. In the river valley - its bed, by the way, is crossed by the famous a tourist route 95 km long - the Frolikhinsky reserve is located. Together with the Transbaikal National Park and the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, it is subordinate to the federal budgetary government agency"Reserved Podlemorye".

Other attractions:

  • Northern Baikal is the last area on the great lake, the nature of which, due to its remoteness and lack of highways retains its originality,
  • Barguzin Bay is the largest and deepest on Lake Baikal,
  • Ushkany Islands are a small archipelago with rocky shores in the Barguzin region of Buryatia,
  • Peschanaya Bay, known for its unique picturesqueness,
  • Cape Ryty - extreme northern point 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.

Holidays on Baikal

It is along the Circum-Baikal railway In the 80s of the 20th century, the Bureau of International Youth Tourism “Sputnik” (Irkutsk) developed the first ecological tour. Since that time, ecotourism on Lake Baikal has been actively developing, despite the fact that tourism infrastructure It is not well developed here and there are some transport difficulties. There are also problems associated with environmental pollution from emissions from the Baikal pulp and paper mill. But all of them are to some extent compensated for by activities to create and equip excursion trails, regularly carried out by tourism 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, the shallow waters - up to +25° C. A vacation on Lake Baikal will satisfy the needs of even the most demanding tourists. Beach holiday, bicycle and car excursions, hiking along the coast, rafting on catamarans and kayaks, quad biking and even helicopter excursions - this is not a complete list of what travel agencies offer their clients. 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 passionate fishermen prefer to settle in specialized bases, of which there are many here, and which differ in different levels of comfort. They go fishing on rented vessels. The most popular places for fishing on Lake Baikal are the already mentioned Chivyrkuisky Bay, Mukhor Bay, shallow bays of the Small Sea and, of course, the rivers flowing into it. The largest of them (besides Selenga) are Upper Angara, Snezhnaya, Barguzin, Kichera, Turka, Buguldeika and Goloustnaya. And only one river flows out of the lake - the Angara.

Fishing on Baikal

Fishing, only ice fishing, also 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 make the right hole in the unusually transparent ice. They willingly share secrets on how to organize comfortable stay in conditions of 40-degree frosts, which are not uncommon for Lake Baikal. And those who don’t 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

Among the winter activities, tourists are also offered dog sledding (routes vary in complexity and length), snowmobiling ( excursion programs are also different and depend on the level of preparedness of the skiers), skiing alpine skiing, sleds and snowboards (you can rent ski equipment at numerous rental shops on the coast). In winter, as well as in summer, helicopter excursions are held in high esteem among vacationers, giving unforgettable experiences for a lifetime.

Children and youth tourism


Children's tourism is also quite developed on Lake Baikal, involving holidays 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 Lake Baikal, Mandarkhan Bay is ideal for families with small children. It’s as if it was specially created by nature for this very purpose: it’s very shallow, and in the summer the water here is perhaps the warmest and children don’t risk catching a cold.

Young people are not left behind either. For her, the interregional public organization "Great Baikal Trail", created in 2003, is implementing various international programs taking into account the specifics and needs of people under 30. For example, arrangement and reconstruction ecological trails, conducting educational lectures on the topic of 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 relax on Lake Baikal, as they say, as savages, traveling in their own cars. They choose a place they like on the coast and stop there, spending the night in tents. There are very few campsites on the lake specially equipped for car travelers. Having planned to stay at such a site, you should take into account that in this place there may not be wood for a fire and basic amenities (for example, a toilet). Therefore, think in advance about how you will “survive”.

Those who prefer to travel in comfort, even minimal, will be spared such experiences. At their service are many hotels, recreation centers and guest houses scattered along the entire coast of Lake Baikal. Moreover, every tourist will be able to find the most suitable accommodation option for him - taking into account, of course, individual preferences and financial capabilities. We have to disappoint 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 vacationers only in the summer.

Tourists traveling independently run the risk of running into unscrupulous intermediaries when booking a hotel room or recreation center. To prevent this from happening, reserve a hotel room only through proven and reliable services, which will not only save you from scammers, but will 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


You can get to Baikal in various ways. The starting point is usually nearby big cities: Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Severobaikalsk. Tourists first come to one of these settlements and already there they plan in detail their further route. 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 The village of Listvyanka, located at the source of the Angara, is considered to be one of the most popular tourism destinations on the Siberian Sea, 65 km from Irkutsk. You can get here from the regional center by bus or boat, the journey time is just over an hour. All routes start in Irkutsk water transport, plying not only along Lake Baikal, but also on the Angara.

On the world map, the Baikal “comma” is right in the center of Eurasia. Either it “smiles” at a person’s curiosity, or it means a secret, an understatement. That’s right – the special aura of these places opens up immediately and never lets go. Asia and the East are intertwined here, European civilization has intervened, but there are still more untrodden places here than inhabited ones.

Geographical location and history of the origin of the lake

When asked where Lake Baikal is located, the most common answer is - in Siberia. The lake of tectonic origin lies in a rift cavity - like, for example, the Dead Sea. On the map of Russia, a fresh body of water separates the Irkutsk region and Buryatia. The length from the north to the southwest is almost 640 km, relatively narrow in width - from 25 to 80 km.

Satellite images show the thickness of the water – the maximum depth is 1637 meters: on the map of the planet’s hemispheres, there are only 6 lakes deeper than one and a half kilometers, and Baikal takes precedence.

Curious! There are many versions of the origin of the name of the lake, the advantages are in expressions that are consonant with the current pronunciation:
Beihai (Chinese) – northern sea;
Baikol (Turkic) – rich lake;
Baigal-dalai (Mongolian) – rich flame.

Road to the lake

Airports and railway stations are located in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. The regularity of flights and express trains is high, prices are suitable for any budget thanks to the active development of the tourism cluster. Depending on the city in which the journey begins, the distance to the coast is from 70 to 140 km, Shuttle Buses run 24 hours a day.

Features and mysteries of Baikal

Basin

Geologists cannot determine the exact age of the reservoir. Amazing location: Baikal lies as if in a stone vessel, and this makes diagnostics difficult - there is no bottom soil for archaeologists and biologists. So 30 million years or “only” 150 thousand? No answer.

Dark rings

For many years now, the lake surface has been spontaneously covered with huge rings several kilometers in diameter. Observers notice this every spring on the satellite map. Researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences have put forward a hypothesis that this is how bottom water with gases rises. But ufologists insist on extraterrestrial origin this geometry.

Deep space

An unexpected location was chosen for a new super-powerful telescope at the end of the 20th century: Baikal, the bottom pillow. It turned out that it is easier for astrophysicists to pick up signals from space through water. The mystery gave rise to belief in the existence of a deep port for aliens - after winter, traces of “active” flights emerge in the famous “rings”.

Baikal Stonehenge

Bizarre man-made structures are located in a remote area of ​​the Baikal-Lena Nature Reserve. On Cape Rytom, someone in ancient times built a stone fence 333 meters long. Inside there are pyramids made of flat slabs. Eyewitnesses admit: there are no burials there, but the energy is incredible. However, it is almost impossible for neophytes to get here.

Underwater riddles

IN great depths Lake Baikal is looking for secrets and treasures, scrupulously calculating coordinates: Baikal is historically associated with the Supreme Ruler Kolchak and the missing tons of gold reserves. Suddenly hidden at the bottom?.. The great director J. Cameron equipped an entire expedition to the bottom of Lake Baikal. What discoveries he made remained a secret.

Living water

Environmentalists praise the life-giving composition of the lake cocktail. Despite active industrial intervention, the purity of the lake is unique: mineralized, saturated with oxygen. Even under meters of ice bottom stones are clearly visible. The recipes are known - crustaceans and sponges can do it. Using these properties in cities is a challenge.

Flora and fauna of Lake Baikal

Flora of Baikal

No other region has such a unique combination of natural and climatic zones. Along the entire perimeter of the Siberian Sea there is a wonderful variety of vegetation - from arctic to subtropical species. Hundreds of rare shrubs and conifers grow here, rhododendrons and edelweiss bloom. The favorites are:

Relic forest– living “fossils” have been preserved on Olkhon since Paleolithic times.

Oaks and hornbeams– the groves on the southeastern coast are like an oasis in the center of Siberia.

Blue spruce– an unusual decorative shade is created by the waxy “cover” of the needles; the region of origin of the species is unknown.

Fauna of Baikal

The water area and shores of Lake Baikal are famous for their biodiversity. Scientists are surprised - what a rich region: more than 1,500 species - ancient deep ciliates, a host of insects, fish, birds. The coastal zones, abundant in food, are favored by predators and herbivores: bears, wolverines, and deer. The fresh sea also has its own legendary inhabitants:

– fur-bearing animals live in cedar trees all over east coast along the Barguzinsky ridge. Omnivorous, due to the value of fur it was on the verge of extinction, until physical map the area did not become the first nature reserve in Russia - it already has a 100-year history.

– Baikal seal, protected by the state. There are many versions of how a marine mammal got deep into the continent in fresh lake. Some are sure that from the Arctic along the Yenisei and Angara, others believe in more exotic versions. Good-natured longhorned beetles weighing up to 170 kg stoically endure hordes of tourists.

– a fish from the whitefish family, considered a signature delicacy, weighing from 0.5 kg to 5 kg. Commercial mining is underway.

Curious! The crustaceans Epishura baikalensis, copepods of cleaners, have been working for millions of years: they have successfully coped with biopollutants. But modern chemical runoff threatens this population and the lake’s ecosystem.

Sights of Baikal

Lake Baikal on the world map is an object of attraction in itself. Pagan myths are still alive here - and every cape, bay, and rock is covered in them. The legends of the Golden Horde are revered, the Old Believer villages of the first Russian settlers and ancient Buddhist datsans stand as a source of wisdom. Hundreds of natural and historical monuments. First of all, you should look at:

Circum-Baikal Railway– built as part of the Trans-Siberian Railway; now 89 km along the coast, through tunnels and stone galleries with amazing views.

Shaman-rock on Cape Khuzhir - ridge sacred mountain crashes into the water: rituals have been performed here for thousands of years, and as a sign of continuity there are 13 ritual serges, visible from afar.

Cave Dream– we didn’t exactly count how many kilometers in length – but it is the deepest, with golden stalactites, it impresses with a fabulous view and a special musicality of sounds.

Olkhon- an island in the middle of the water, with a spruce forest of prehistoric times and the stunning beauty of the panoramas.

Taltsy– ethno-village-museum of life of the indigenous population of the Baikal region: authentic and impressive.

What is Lake Baikal like? Where is? Surely many travelers have asked this question, trying to refresh their memory of their school knowledge. Baikal is considered the largest fresh water reservoir on the planet. In terms of age, depth and drinking water supplies, it simply has no competitors.
So, Baikal! There are legends about it as a formidable and angry lake. Various epithets are awarded to the famous reservoir: “the blue eye of Siberia”, “the sacred gift of nature”, “the world’s source of drinking water”.

Baikal. Where is the lake?

The lake is located in the south of Eastern Siberia. This is on the border of Buryatia on the Asian continent. Now do you remember where Lake Baikal is? Photo famous lake will help everyone imagine the Siberian beauty of the reservoir. Scientists have recorded the water surface area of ​​Lake Baikal as 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 deepest lake. According to scientific research data, its maximum depth is 1642 meters.

No one can definitely answer the question of where the name Baikal itself came from. Many scientific works and literary publications have been devoted to this topic. But not a single scientist was able to provide categorical evidence regarding at least one theoretical guess.

Where Baikal is located, beliefs and legends live. In the past, the peoples living near 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 scientific research data, Baikal was formed more than 20 million years ago.

Typically, ice age lakes live for about 15 thousand years, and then gradually disappear from the face of the earth. However, Baikal shows no signs of aging. According to research recent years, geophysicists have suggested that Baikal may well be an incipient ocean.

Miscellaneous

The Baikal pit is recognized as the cleanest reservoir of drinking water on the planet. The lake is incredibly clean and rich in oxygen. Experts believe that this water is close in properties to distilled water. Previously, Baikal water was used for treatment. Lake Baikal contains a huge variety of living forms. These are fish: the famous omul, whitefish, the perch and salmon families. Which of the fauna can still be found in the area where the lake is located? Baikal?

Baikal seals and noisy seagulls live on the coast. Sometimes there are brown bears emerging from forest areas. Scientists count about 847 species of fauna and approximately 133 species of various plants in the nature of Baikal.

Thanks to such diversity, everything large quantity tourists come to this amazing place to breathe in a breath of fresh Baikal oxygen. Every year there is intensive infrastructure development 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, and tour operators are available to vacationers. All conditions are created so that the traveler can improve his physical and spiritual health. For many years they have been famous for their healing properties thermal and mud springs Goryachinsky, Zmeevoy, Khakusy.

All of these natural sources are of great help to a person in the treatment of blood circulation, nervous system and skin diseases. The most popular source is Zmeinaya Bay. Despite the lack of amenities, the number of people coming here is constantly growing.

Baikal can tear a person away from his usual civilization, amaze him with its landscapes and fill him with life-giving energy! Of course, having come to Lake Baikal once, it is impossible to study all the local culture. First, 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 trips. If the question arises about what time of year is the cheapest to relax on Lake Baikal, then you should go in September. It was during this period that prices for sanatoriums and tour operator services were significantly reduced.

Baikal. Where is the place that can cause excitement among the male part of the population? This is a fishing zone! This type of entertainment delights all fans of this exciting activity. On the territory of Baikal there is great opportunity allow everyone to show off their fishing skills. The most popular places for this are Chivyrkuisky Bay, Maloye More, 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 it's okay!

Just practice and you'll be on your way! Most likely, friends, looking at photos on this topic, will ask: “Where are you?” After a short pause, you will probably give a proud answer: “Like where? Lake Baikal!”

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

Rest on famous lake Baikal is quite diverse. If you are dreaming of swimming, summer fishing and other entertainment during the hot season, it is more advisable to go on vacation in July-August. At the beginning of summer, Lake Baikal is still cold and the water is not warmed up enough. And in the northern part of the reservoir there are even floating ice floes. The end of August can ruin travelers' time with gusty winds. During this period, the water mixes and its temperature drops. But for those travelers looking for solitude in nature, autumn is a wonderful time of year. The local coastal vegetation is painted in bright colors, forcing tourists to preserve 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, the western coast of Olkhon Island, Peschanaya Bay, the coast of the Small Sea, the coast from the village of Baikalskoye to the city of Severobaikalsk, and the Circum-Baikal Railway are suitable.

A cruise on the Circum-Baikal Railway is a win-win option have an interesting holiday. Typically the excursion lasts 2 days by train. On this trip, the guide will tell travelers about the famous places of Lake Baikal. There are short stops at noteworthy 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 centers and sanatoriums of Southern Baikal (Utulik, Electra, Angara and others). This should save the vacationer from questions about where to live on Lake Baikal. Maloe More is located a little secluded, and accommodation here is possible in a yurt at affordable prices. Olkhon Island is located in an inaccessible place. You can only get to it on foot or by water. This is an excellent relaxation area for those who are tired of the city noise and bustle.

You can diversify your time at 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. Known group excursion routes. They are notable for the fact that vacationers can visit the most unusual corners of the Baikal region.

If a tourist wants to use his vacation to restore physical health, he can resort to the services of hot springs in the north of the lake. Active travelers They will enthusiastically embrace walking and horseback treks, as well as exciting rafting along mountain rivers. Lovers winter holiday can organize walks on the Baikal ice skating rink, snowmobiling or dog sledding. For fans of alpine skiing, the tourist base “Mount Sobolinaya” is active from December to May.

Holidays on Baikal as a savage

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

Only private yachts and the motor ship "Barguzin" go here, departing from the Irkutsk pier. Small houses or tents are provided for vacationers to stay. 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 - tourist centre who can offer interesting excursions. Where to relax on Lake 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 an unforgettable fishing experience and a lot of positive emotions.

Mysterious rock

This island is interesting as a place of shamans. There are opinions that the grave of Genghis Khan is located there. Some local residents and in our time they worship spirits. 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 to the rock great amount sacrifices. There are many legends on this topic. One of them says that Ezhin, the owner of the island, lives on the Shaman Rock Cape. Until now, local residents treat this place with due respect.

Among the tourists there are a few brave souls who are ready to approach Shaman Mountain. According to legends, this place is endowed with special energetic force. The photographs leave as a souvenir for travelers the drawings of shamanic drums carved into the rock by ancient people. Unfortunately, these images are partially destroyed due to interference human hand in an attempt to obtain marble.

Sights of Irkutsk

In those places where Lake Baikal is located, the city of Irkutsk is the most unknown and underrated in the world of tourists. Many Russians have vague ideas about this holiday destination. It's a pity!

Foreign tourists explore the sights of Irkutsk with undisguised interest. After all, this is a treasure trove of natural and man-made works. Architecture connoisseurs enjoy visiting the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross.

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

Tourists who come here can witness Orthodox holidays: in winter - Christmas and Maslenitsa, in summer - Trinity. In the winter season, residents of Irkutsk build snow towns, ride down ice slides on cow skins! Agree that this forgotten vacation can bring real pleasure to every traveler.

After such festivities, you can enjoy hot dishes of original 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 holiday

So, you have arrived to Baikal! Where is the place that will give the traveler drive? What else will captivate this famous territory for a vacationer? Baikal is capable of providing 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 Lake Baikal. These are notable water travel the fact that after such a hike, the tourist is no longer 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 hike will accompany you for many years. So, let us 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 flow speed of mountain rivers ranges from 25 to 30 kilometers per hour. The number of obstacles encountered in the path of the current (rocks, waterfalls) determines the category of difficulty of water rafting.

The first category includes calm water, the sixth includes obstacles with waterfalls and rapids reaching up to 15 meters. Tourists can conquer such mountain rivers on rafts. This is the most popular vessel for this extreme look recreation. It looks like an inflatable boat. Its bottom contains holes to drain water that gets inside the boat.

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

To get more intense emotions when passing river rapids, tourists use a catamaran. These are two inflatable cylinders made of very durable material, which are connected by an aluminum partition. A catamaran on the water is well stable and gives a stronger sensation than a raft.

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

If you are wondering where to visit Lake Baikal, then you should take a hike to the top of Mount Munku - Sardyk. Such a trip can become unforgettable, since this place is considered the most high point Eastern Siberia. Tourists who reach the snow-white peak will enjoy stunning views of the lakes frozen under the ice. At this moment it will seem simply incredible! Best time enjoy such beauty - April and May.

Tourists who have been to Lake Baikal more than once note that, most likely, this trip will change a beginner. The mystery of this Siberian place can touch the subtle strings of a person’s soul, awakening in him a sense of novelty and harmony.

Since 2008, every second Sunday in October has been the Day of Lake Baikal - the deepest and largest freshwater lake on the planet, a unique natural attraction and a real treasure of Russia.

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Where is it located, history

In what part of the world is it located? The lake is located in the center of Asia, on the territory of the Russian Federation, on the site of the border Irkutsk region and Buryatia. Its length is 636 km.

It is estimated that the lake is approximately 25 million years old. The formation of rift basins (there are three in total) occurred during the period of seismic activity of ancient mud volcanoes. It was because of this that the earth's crust fractured. Also, the origin of Lake Baikal is associated with the location of one part of the continent on top of another in ancient times (according to this version, it is the same age as the Himalayas).

Thus, the reservoir is one of the most ancient on the planet. Interestingly, mentions of it are contained in ancient Chinese chronicles. The Chinese called it "Bai Hai", which means "North Sea".

Attention! Seismic activity in this area continues to this day. More than a hundred earthquakes occur every year, but most of them are very weak and can only be recorded using special equipment. There is also a large magnetic anomaly observed here.

Interestingly, the formation of the basins is still ongoing. Every year, water reclaims about 2 cm from the land. Some scientists believe that a reservoir can turn into, but these are just guesses.

History of the name

There are many versions of the origin of the toponym “Baikal”, but the most important of them is the Turkic one. In Turkic it sounds like “Bai-kul”, which means “rich lake”. A very accurate name.

The Buryats who inhabited this area called the lake “Baigal-Nuur”. Perhaps, with the arrival of the Russians here, the letter “g” was gradually replaced by “k”.

Attention! There are several other reservoirs in Russia with the same exact name. They are located in the Yakutsk and Tyumen regions. But, of course, other bodies of water are much smaller than the main one.

Sometimes Baikal is called a sea, comparing it with the Caspian and Aral, which are preserved parts of the ancient oceans. This name is quite correct, because storms often occur here, and the waves reach a height of 4-5 meters.

Peculiarities

Let us list the special features of Lake Baikal. Storms and wave formation also occur here due to winds. They are very strong and different in their characteristics. Scientists even gave them names:

  • Kultuk;
  • Mountain;
  • Shelonnik.

In many respects, the lake is more like a sea.

Lake Baikal

Size and shape

Its shape resembles a crescent. Its area is 32 thousand square kilometers (length - more than 630 meters, width - 80 meters). It's interesting that some European countries For example, Albania, Malta, Denmark or Holland could easily be located entirely on its territory. There are many islands on it (22 in total), but only one is inhabited - Olkhon. The length of the coastline is equal to the distance from Moscow to Istanbul.

Depth

The maximum depth of Lake Baikal is 1642 meters (average depth is 730 meters; however, according to a number of scientists, there are depressions at the bottom, the depth of which is more than 7 km), that is, it is almost 5 Eiffel Towers. But only in 2002, after lengthy research and numerous measurements, was it possible to confirm this fact.

The lake holds 19% of the world's fresh water reserves

Amount of water

Baikal holds 19% of all the world's fresh water reserves. Total - 23 thousand cubic kilometers. This amount of water was formed because more than 300 rivers flow into the reservoir.

What else is the lake famous for? Of course, quality. Its purity is amazing. IN The water is incredibly transparent; through its thickness you can see what is happening at a depth of 40 meters. In terms of purity, it is equated to distilled water, since it contains extremely few minerals. But there are a lot of things that make it useful. In 2000, according to the results of scientific research, it was found that water has a glow.

Attention! In about one winter month, the water completely freezes and becomes covered with a whole network of cracks. The depth of some of them reaches 30 meters. Walking on the surface of Baikal in winter is unsafe.

The water does not warm up even in summer ( average temperature only 8-10 degrees, although in some shallow bays the temperature can reach up to 20 degrees), despite the fact that there are a lot of sunny days here (this is why Baikal is also called the “Lake of the Sun”). Swimming here is limited even for professionals, because so far not a single person has been able to cross the reservoir by swimming. Interestingly, the current here is not very strong, only 10 cm per second. Nearby is thermal source. The water temperature in it is over 70 degrees.

The water in the lake is very clear

Flora and fauna

Ecoworld of the Baikal region is unique. A large number of cedars and larches grow along the banks, which are long-lived. The age of several trees has already exceeded 700 years.

In terms of the number of endemic animals, this area is comparable only to Australia. More than a thousand endemic species live here (most likely, this is due to the fact that there are mountain ranges and hills around). There are more than 50 species of fish in the waters alone (the most famous are the viviparous golomyanka, which consists almost entirely of fat, and the Baikal omul, a fish from the salmon family), and on the shores there are rookeries of seals or seals.

Moreover, scientists still have not figured out how exactly they appeared here (perhaps they are the descendants of animals of the ancient north - Arctida).

The region celebrates Seal Day every year. The event is designed to attract public attention to the problem of poaching in the region.

The water is filtered by shrimp, crustaceans and sponges, which reach a size of 1 meter in 100 years. Thanks to their activity, as well as special circulation, the water is completely mixed within 5 months, which is why it remains so clean.

Nearby is the large national Barguzinsky Nature Reserve, on whose territory there are many research stations. The qualitative composition of the reserve is 1,750 species of plants and animals. All of them are under state protection.

Resources

Scientists have long found out that there are rich people at the bottom of the lake. oil fields. Almost every year about 5 tons of oil are produced here.

Interesting facts will be useful for children:

  1. The territories of the Baikal region were inhabited by people back in the 2nd millennium BC. Presumably these were the ancestors of the Evenks. How many ethnic groups lived here is still unknown.
  2. Baikal was discovered by Russian explorers at the end of the 17th century. It was first seen by the Russian Cossack Kurbat Ivanov. At that time, its shores were inhabited by the Buryats, who, in turn, replaced the Berguts who lived here in more distant times.
  3. Scientists have found that at the bottom there are the most high mountains at (their maximum height is 7500 meters), scientists also found dinosaur remains here.
  4. There is a cave on the shore where mysterious shamanic rituals were held in ancient times. It is located in the Shamanka rock. It’s interesting that in ancient times, criminals were executed here: they simply stood them on the very edge of the cape and waited for a big wave. If a wave washed away a person, then he was guilty. It was believed that the waters of Baikal were not touched by innocent people.
  5. Cape Ryty is considered a cursed place. Only very experienced shamans can enter it.
  6. A lot of people drowned here. Interestingly, July is considered the most disastrous time for travelers and researchers.
  7. There are more than 20 caves nearby - this is a paradise for speleologists.
  8. There is a version according to which, somewhere nearby or, perhaps, at the bottom there is the grave of the famous Genghis Khan.
  9. There are also suggestions that somewhere nearby are hidden the treasures of the Chinese caravan, which tried to find shelter here from the Tatars - the Mongols, and the treasures of Admiral Kolchak, who hid here a large amount of silver, which was taken to Irkutsk for the fair.
  10. Local residents believe that UFOs can often be seen here.
  11. In Russia, a children's carbonated drink called “Baikal” is produced. It has a special taste, which is achieved using a mixture of herbal extracts and essential oils. Interestingly, all the herbs from the composition grow on the banks of the reservoir.
  12. In 1976, Crimean astronomers discovered an asteroid, which was named after the reservoir.
  13. On the lake, as in deserts, mirages can often be observed.
  14. Interestingly, only one river flows out of the lake - the Angara. One beautiful legend is connected with this fact, according to which Angara is a naughty daughter who ran away from her father to her lover - the Yenisei.

There are rich oil deposits at the bottom of the lake

Attention! If the 336 rivers flowing into the lake stopped feeding it, and the Angara continued to flow, then it would be necessary to wait 400 years to see the bottom.

It takes about a month for the lake to completely melt. Ice melting begins approximately in March-April. A holiday here is the dream of many tourists. Celebrities have also been here, for example, James Cameron, who directed Avatar, spent his 51st birthday here. The current President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, took part in a dive inside the Mir bathyscaphe, which was used, among other things, during the underwater filming of the film Titanic.

Local residents believe that you cannot get sick from swimming in the cold waters of the reservoir. The last strong earthquake occurred here in 2008. Its strength was equal to 9 points on the Richter scale. The area was also hit by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

12 secrets and wonders of Baikal

History of Baikal! How did Baikal appear?

Conclusion

We can talk about Baikal for a long time. He's incredibly handsome. Its nature and mysteries attract researchers and travelers from all over the world.

 

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