The Yakut zoo “Orto-Doydu” is a state institution and one of the brightest sights of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Zoological Park is located on the left bank of the Lena River, just 50 km from the capital of the republic in a very picturesque place – the Erkenani Valley, between a huge mountain and an asphalted road that leads from Yakutsk to Pokrovsk.

In the translation from the Yakut language, “Orto Doydu” means “middle world”. In Yakut mythology, there are three worlds – the lower, middle and upper. The lower world is inhabited by devils (abas), in the average world, people and animals live, and the upper gods. The Yakut zoo symbolizes just the middle world.

 

Zoological park “Orto-Dojdu” was founded in January 2001. The main initiator of its creation was the President of the Republic of Sakha – Mikhail Efimovich Nikolaev. The institution was structurally referred to the Department of Biological Resources of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Yakutia and registered as a legal entity. In May 2001, the zoo received its first visitors.

For today the Yakut zoo is the only zoo in the world working in the conditions of the northern extreme cold climate. Its main feature is that the zoo can take any wild animals and provide them with the necessary help.

 

At the moment, the zoo has about 170 species of animals from different geographical areas. Here, successful results were achieved in the breeding of the Yakut cow, the trotter of the East Siberian, the polar wolf and the polar fox. There are also exotic species of Yakutia and such rare animals as the Amur tiger, golden eagle, musk ox, Asian wild, beaver, spotted deer, white-tailed eagle, small swan and so on. Pets are purchased by the zoo or transferred by exchange from other Russian zoos. Many of the animals were taken as a gift from the inhabitants.

In the near future the Yakut zoo is planned to expand, for this purpose, a plot of 60 hectares was allocated on the indigenous shore.

The Russian Federation is the largest state in the world. Its expanses stretched more than 17 million km². This is not the only record. Here is the deepest lake Baikal and the lowest temperature is observed.

The regions of the north of Russia deserve special attention primarily because they occupy almost half of the entire territory of the country. The second reason is not less significant – deposits of minerals, which brought the country to a high economic level. However, the climatic conditions in these areas are so severe that not everyone will be able to withstand them. The long winter, which lasts 7-9 months, also contributes to discomfort. And the summer is so short that only the upper layer of the earth can thaw.

Far North: features of the region

Tundra, taiga, arctic zone – all this is the far north of Russia. This part of the state is closest to the Arctic Circle. The climate here is difficult to call favorable for human life. The days are short, the nights are long and cold. A fairly frequent phenomenon is strong winds, which, in the literal sense of the word, are demolished. These territories are called the Far North.

The main advantage of this region is unique deposits of natural resources. Scientists have discovered here large deposits of copper, nickel, precious metals (gold), and in places even diamonds. Due to the fact that this area has access to the Arctic Ocean, a high-level industry has been developed to catch fish and seafood, and there are huge reserves of oil and gas.

Although the Far North is the coldest place in Russia, only the indigenous population can permanently reside here, but the demand for jobs is always great. This is due to the high wages and benefits that the state has developed to encourage.

Siberia is a unique region of Russia

Between the Far Eastern region and the Ural Mountains stretches a fairly large geographical area – Siberia.

From the north side it is washed by the Arctic Ocean, which allows a worthy development of light industry. On the south side, it shares borders with China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

Siberia – the coldest place in Russia, where the air temperature in places can drop below 70º C.

This area is quite extensive and is divided into the eastern, southern, western and middle parts. Here is the deepest lake in the world – Baikal – and such deep-water rivers as Amur, Ob, Yenisei, Lena. Unfortunately, because of heavy industry, which is developed here quite well, environmentalists began to notice an increased level of air pollution.

Far East: description of the region

Highlands, ridges, islands and peninsulas, which are located on the north side of the Arctic Circle, unite in a certain area – the Far East. It consists of 2 provinces, 5 provinces, one of them is autonomous, the republic and the district. From the northwest it is washed by the Pacific Ocean. Here the mountainous relief with seismic activity prevails. Frequent phenomena are tsunamis and earthquakes.

The nature of the north of Russia, particularly in the Far East, is particularly contrasting. Winter with a small amount of snow, but it is quite frosty, lasts more than 8 months. Summer is so short that the soil does not warm up much. But in Kamchatka and Sakhalin, snow cover sometimes reaches 6 meters, because of strong winds, a snowstorm often rises. Representatives of the animal world, listed in the Red Book, live in the Far East. This is an Amur tiger, a leopard and a Daurian crane. Often you can meet a stork and an owl, which are at the stage of extinction. To maintain their population, special reserves and natural areas have been created.

Oimyakon village

The coldest place in Russia is, according to unofficial data, Oimyakon village.

In 1926, a record low temperature of -71.2 ° C was recorded, as evidenced by the records of one scientist. However, officially this fact was not recognized, since the weather station did not record such indicators.

The village Oimyakon is small enough, no more than 600 people live in it. This climate is associated with its special location. First of all, it is the height above sea level, which is 745 m. The relief plays a significant role. The village is located between the mountains in the hollow. Getting there, the cold air is in a kind of trap. Uniqueness is given to this place by a warm spring, which hits directly from under the ground. By the way, it was thanks to him that the name took place; “Oymyakon” in the language of local residents means “non-freezing water”.

Verkhoyansk

Verkhoyansk is a city in Yakutia with a population of just over 1,000 people. Located in the north of the country, he officially ranks first in the list “The coldest place in Russia”. Here the temperature is considered to be 40 ° C – 50 ° C below zero. The record indicators of the thermometer were fixed at -69.8 ° C (1892). This title Verkhoyansk for a long time can not share with the village Oymyakon. Controversies of scientists continue even now. Summer in this region is quite hot, sometimes the temperature can reach 40ºС of heat, the average figure varies around 25ºС – 30ºС.

Ust-Shchuger

The village of Ust-Shchuger is a proof of the uniqueness of climatic conditions in the northern part of Russia. It is part of the Komi Republic. Although these regions are not considered cold, but in 1978 a record low temperature (-58ºС) was recorded in winter. Basically, this phenomenon is due to the peculiarities of the winds. It is they who fully influence the fortress of frosts.

Norilsk

Located in Siberia, Norilsk is in the top five of the rating “The coldest cities in the north of Russia.” Winter here is fairly stable and lasts about 8-9 months. The average temperature is 30ºС below zero, and the record-minus 53ºС. This city became famous for its heavy industry, which has no analogues throughout the country. However, unfortunately, there is a minus in it. The production data led the city to an almost ecological catastrophe. And this, in turn, affects the life expectancy of people living there. Basically, this problem is found in almost all similar settlements.

The cities of the north of Russia together constitute more than half of the entire territory of the state. Although there are very harsh living conditions, but many people still go there for “big money”.

The secluded ice-free lagoon of the Avacha Bay near the southeastern edge of Kamchatka is capable of taking any sea-going vessel even in the wildness of the severe northern winter.

The violent disposition of the Pacific Ocean rarely reaches the coast, where the residential quarters of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vilyuchinsk stretch.

The area of the water surface of the bay, discovered in 1729 by the great seafarer V. Bering, is almost 215 square kilometers, and the length is 24 km. Wide three kilometer “gates” and a system of lighthouses allow you to approach the shore of large ocean liners, powerful dry cargo ships and equipped fishing trawlers. For many years the main base of the Pacific Fleet of Russia has been located in Avachinskaya Bay.

Rest in Avacha Bay.

Fishing, diving, sea and forest walks – the main types of recreation on the coast of Avacha Bay.

The Paratunka and Avacha rivers flowing into the bay are rich in varieties of salmon – char, black salmon, salmon, chinook, as well as chum salmon, Kamchatka trout and kunja. Especially popular is ice fishing in winter, when marine species – smelt, navaga, flounder – enter the spawning grounds.

From July to September, amateurs of rafting gather to the banks of Avacha Bay, who finished rafting on Avacha and its tributaries.

The favorite places for immersing the divers are the depths near the island of Starichkov, Zhirovoy and Vilyuchinskaya bays. The underwater world of the Avachinsky lagoon is extremely picturesque: over 30 species of fish are constantly inhabited in its vicinity, curious seals often appear at the entrance to the bay, allowing divers to approach very close, several rare species of sea urchins live among the lush thickets of sea anemones and hydroids. There are also large mammals such as sea lions, sea lions, and larva. In the depth range of 5-12 m several wrecks of interest to re-diving.

To the coast descend along the slopes of hills and mountain ridges, occupying hollows, white-birch groves, cedar forest with interspersed alder trees and mountain ash, glades and fringes are sheltered with mixed grass. The Avacha Bay has excellent opportunities for ornithological tourism and the collection of wild herbs.

Sea voyage by boat with access to the ocean is organized by the travel agencies of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. During the walk, tourists watch the fur seals, bird bazaars on the islands, sea otters and seals that have chosen reefs, and also dive under water or fish in the open sea. Fans of photo-hunting are awaited by irresistible landscapes with views to Avachinsky, Koryaksky and Vilyuchinsky volcanoes, as well as a delightful panorama of Avacha Bay, one of the largest in the world.

Place of interest.

Rocks Three brothers – a symbol of the Avachinskaya Bay. Like three rocky guards block the entrance to the bay, protecting it from penetrating violent storms. An ancient Kamchatka legend tells of young Koryaks who bravely closed their native shore from a flood of tsunami, and even petrified, but did not allow the elements to damage the fishing villages on the coast.

Column-shaped kekury stones sticking out of the water were declared a natural monument in the 80s of the last century.

The Starichkov Island – is a small rocky patch of land, full-fledged occupied by huge bird populations: only the axes here have up to 32 thousand individuals and about 13 thousand old people – birds that gave the name to the island, of which 2 species are “Red Book”. There are rare varieties of spectacle scurf and red-faced cormorant. In the surrounding depths, dolphins and killer whales are observed, on the stony ledges, island seals and seals are warming their backs.

The banks are dotted with meadow motley grass with the predominance of the Arctic arctic, the soft and endemic limb Starichkov – the large moshanka.

dew-claw – – the lonely rock-kekur, which rose lonely above the water, always aroused fear and reverence among the sea travelers. It has long been believed that such stones on the surface of the earth or water are the arrows of the Slavic god Perun, in anger throwing them into the disobedient Veles. However, scuba divers and lovers of fishing quite often visit the island, using it for recreation.

Grandmother’s Stone – Another stone-kekur, a huge boulder with a cut flat surface piled in the throat of Avacha Bay. The island serves as a nesting site for seabirds. Around him, under the water, there are many unusual grottos, which divers like to visit. The underwater world near the Grandmother’s stone is picturesque – plantations of sea cucumbers inhabit sponges, sea urchins and stars, numerous species of fish.

Where to stay.

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky several three-star hotels – Petropavlovsk, Geyser, Dolce Vita, Avacha, Edelweiss with price offers from 3200 to 5600 rubles per room per night, including breakfast buffet. Prices are more economical offer mini-hotels Abazhur, Oktyabrskaya, Rus, Head of Kamchatka – from 2500 rubles per day.

How to get to Avacha Bay.

Undoubtedly, the only and the most optimal option to get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, remote from the capital of Russia for a distance of more than 8 thousand kilometers is an air flight that takes about 9 hours, which will cost from 11,400 rubles. The city has a constant air service with other Russian airports in St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk, Krasnodar and Vladivostok. The airport “Elizovo” is located 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and you can get to the center after landing on Kamchatka land by city bus №102 and №104, the ticket price is 45 rubles.

There are no railroads on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The nearest railway station is in Vladivostok.

State natural Dzhugdzhursky reserve is located in the Khabarovsk territory, Ayano-Maysky district, on the coast of the sea of Okhotsk. The reserve was established in 1990, 10 September. Its total area is 859 956 ha.

Within the conservation area there are two climatic regions. Thus the boundary between them is the range Dzhugdzhur. According to the natural features of the Western part similar to the regions of Eastern Siberia, the climate of which is severe and is characterized by a small number of sediment and sudden temperature changes. In the Eastern part of the observed marine monsoon climate. He is a strong winds, heavy rainfall and fog.

The structure Dzhugdzhursky Nature Reserve includes the central part of the ridge Dzhugdzhur and Southern Coastal Range. The hydrographic network of the reserve is extremely complex and diverse. Due to the mountainous terrain local rivers acquire the character of mountain streams with rocky riverbeds, rapid drop of water, significant fluctuations of the water level and a plurality of rifts.

The coastal part of the river due to the proximity to the coast of the dividing range, small in extent. River Lantar and Aldoma passable for motor boats in its lower reaches. Lakes can be divided into two groups: Valley (located in floodplains in the first and second terraces) and mountain (located in a small valley).

Flora and fauna of the reserve Dzhugdzhursky.

Flora of Dzhugdzhursky reserve presents 753 species of plants, of which 33 species included in the Red book of the Khabarovsk Krai and 6 species in the Red data book of the Russian Federation. The general nature of the native vegetation was influenced by harsh climatic conditions of the western part of the Okhotsk Sea (north-westerly winds in winter, high humidity, low temperatures).

The reserve’s flora includes 211 species of animals. So, in protected lands is found 166 species of birds, 42 – mammals. Typical representatives are the following: moose, hare, stoat, weasel, fox, squirrel, sable, bear. Less common otter, musk deer, and bighorn sheep.

Along the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk is possible to see a variety of pinnipeds: ringed seal, spotted seals, piebald seal, bearded seal. The rivers that flow into the Sea of Okhotsk in the spawning period occur coho, pink salmon, chum. Continuing in the local waters usual grayling and Kunzhi.

Contact Information:
Location: Russia, Khabarovsk, Ayano-Maisky region, 682571, p. Ayan, ul.30 Years of Victory, d. 2

State Nature Reserve Khankaisky located in southwest Primorsk region. Its total area – 39,289 hectares, which includes the coastline and waters of Lake Khanka. The reserve was established in 1990, on 28 December.

On conservation area dominated monsoon type of climate. Overall, it was formed under the influence of monsoon and local circulation processes. In July, the thermometer rises to an average of 20 C with a “plus”. The temperature of the coldest month, January is about -21 C. The frost-free period lasts 217 days, the growing – up to 192. Often there are significant variations in daily and seasonal air temperatures. In addition, the local climate is characterized by little snow in winter, cool and dry spring, warm summer. Every year in the protected area falls from 500 to 650 mm of precipitation.

In November, at Lake Khanka formed ice. Of wetland and floodplain lakes freeze, usually in late October – early November. In winter, northern winds often blow in summer is dominated by the south-west and south.

Khankaisky Reserve occupies the middle part of the Western coastal plane. Its surface areas are mostly aligned character wears. There are low hills – Snake, Cheremshovaya, Blue Gai, Luzanova. Open plains are the predominant landscape. The reserve is located Lake Khanka, and delta, wetland and floodplain lakes.

Flora and fauna of the reserve Khankaisky.

The flora of the reserve Khankaisky represented by the following associations: forest, vegetation ponds, prairie land, marshes, meadows. Recent divided into two types: wet and soggy. Forest vegetation is different fragmented. The only forest area has to Luzanova hill. It is a low-productivity of Mongolian oak forest stands with aspen, elm, ash, basswood. In a well-developed undergrowth can see jasmine, rose, lespeditsu, hazel.

Fauna Khankaisky reserve includes 44 species of mammals, 337 – birds, 7 – reptiles, 6 – amphibians, 74 – fish. The greatest burden from the following types: Far vole, white-naped hamster, field mouse, gray rat, muskrat, Amur hedgehog, big white-toothed shrew, deer, wolf. In local waters usual crucian, snakehead, white amur, silver carp motley, pike, catfish, carp.

Contact information:
State Nature Biosphere Reserve “Khankaisky”
Address: 692245, Primorsky Territory, Spassk Far Str. Yershov, 10

State Natural Reserve is located in the Koryak northern Kamchatka. Its total area is 327,156 hectares. The reserve was established in 1995.

Protected area is within four climatic regions (north-east coast, Rekininsk lowland, lowland Penzhinskaya, Koryak Highlands), and northern climatic subregions. On Parapolsky site significantly influence the Bering and Okhotsk seas. The local climate – moderate continental.

On the nature of the relief Gavanski and Parapolice areas of the reserve are different. So, the last folded sedimentary loose sediments, dismembered network of river valleys and heavily swamped. Relief ridged, gently undulating. Gavanski the site is located within the boundaries of Elginskogo mountain range and is characterized by topography, typical of the Koryak highlands: vast areas occupied by rocks and talus, spiky peaks and ridges, steep rocky walls, steep slopes.

Hydrological network Koryak Nature Reserve is well developed. There are numerous flow-flowing streams and rivers, which is powered mainly snow. At the beginning and end of the summer there is flooding in the autumn and winter, the river is significantly grow shallow. Distributed lakes, the largest of which – and Patatgythyn Tplovskoe.

Flora and fauna of the Koryak reserve.

Vegetation cover Koryak Reserve is typical of local forest-tundra. In a protected area, there are 35 species of plants, of which 1 species – Ferny, 2 – gymnosperms, 32 – angiosperms.

The fauna of the reserve is represented by 35 species of mammals, including bighorn sheep, weasel, fox, wolverine, brown bear, wolf, sable, ermine, hare. Among the most common artiodactyls elk and bighorn sheep. There are 11 species of rodents – gray rat, tailed (Arctic) gopher, house mouse, and others.

Nature reserve is rich in birds, according to official data, there are 153 kinds of them. So, on the conservation area inhabited by Yellow-billed Loon, Glaucous-winged gull, black brant, piskulka, Steller’s sea eagle, falcon, white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, Aleutian tern, white gull and others.

In local waters is found about 20 fish, including pike, Humpback whitefish, Siberian vendace, broad whitefish, cisco Penzhinsky, salmon.

Contact information:
Address: 688800, Russia, Kamchatka Krai, Olyutorskij area s.Tilichiki, Naberezhnaya 8

Norsky nature reserve is located in Selemginsk district of the Amur region. It was founded in 1998 on the basis of a federal nature reserve “Norsky.” The main purpose of its creation – the protection and study of the southern taiga lowland ecosystems of the North Amur Region, as well as wetlands Amur-Zeya lowlands. Area Norsk reserve is 211.2 thousand hectares. And water area – 2 thousand hectares. In this protected area is equal to 9.9 thousand hectares.

Reserve Climate is sharply continental. The annual temperature amplitude is close to 80 ° C. Winter time takes from 5 to 5.5 months. And the coldest month is January. At this time, the temperature may reach -52 ° C. In summer, the warmest month is July, as this is when the temperature may rise to + 34 ° C. This climate leads to the fact that the soil freezes. It is also worth noting that the reserve located near Norsk mountains. Therefore, this zone is characterized by snowy. Snow cover has an average height of 40 cm. The snow begins to melt only at the beginning of April. Spring period relatively short, dry. Such droughts are often the cause of fires. Unlike the spring, summer period humid, sunny and warm.

The territory of the reserve is characterized by gently sloping terrain. In the south is dominated by flat terrain, including gentle slopes and flat watersheds. The Northern part is hills with hilly surface. The shape of the hills mostly dome-shaped, and shape of slopes is weakly concave with a slight slope. For the most part, the reserve presents the rocky coastal cliffs, lava rocks and large plains. It is worth noting that its name nature reserve was due to the river Nora, which runs on its territory.

Norsky Natural Reserve and its flora and fauna.

Norsky Reserve is located at the intersection of four faunal zones: the Okhotsk-Kamchatka, East Siberian, Mongolian and Daur-Amur. Therefore it is not surprising that the area of ​​the reserve is characterized by rich flora and fauna. Judge: Reserve includes more than 300 species of lichens, 513 species of vascular plants, 184 species of birds, 38 species of mammals, 30 species of fish.
Forest plants cover more than 54% of the total reserve. The most common types of the following: Gmelin larch and birch white.

This area became a place of nesting black and Japanese crane, osprey, black and white stork, fish owl, white-tailed eagle, etc. Norsky Reserve is also known that there dwells the world’s largest grouping of migrating Siberian roe deer. In the reserve meets the famous Siberian tiger.

Contact information:
Location: Russia, Amur region, Selemdzhinsky District, 676572, town. The February st. Gardening, 21 (p / 66)

Area: 2,420 km2
The greatest depth of 34 meters.

Zeya reservoir – dam on the Zeya River in the Amur region of Russia. Zeya hydroelectric station dam formed in 1974-1980, respectively. Reservoir extends upstream from the Zeya hydroelectric dam in Zeya, over a length of 40 kilometers within Tukuringra ridge is a narrow body of water with the bay, which formed at the confluence of the tributaries of the Zeya and upstream within Verhnezeis basin, becomes a body of water. Baikal-Amur Mainline runs along the north coast of the water reservoir and crosses the bay in 1100 meter bridge near the village of Bomnak. Reservoir is used for navigation and fishing (whitefish, trout, pike, Amur catfish, sturgeon and grayling).

Main features.

The area of the Zeya reservoir – 2419 sq. km, complete, and usable capacity of reservoir – 68,42 and 38,26 cubm When creating Zeya reservoir was flooded 3.9 thousand hectares of farmland. In the area flooded by the reservoir, was 14 settlements, inhabited by 4 460 people who were resettled in the newly built and moved towns. Zeya reservoir, volume of water takes 3rd place in Russia, after the common (169,3 km3) and Krasnoyarsk (73,3 km3) of water. Is the source for water supply of the greater part of the city. Reservoir formed recently (about 35 years ago) and biological decay of the upper organic layer of the earth is still ongoing, as evidenced by the dark brown color of the water. This process has stabilized, but noticeable water purification can be expected only in 20-30 years. Water in its composition with low mineral content and high content of biogenic and organic substances.

Environmental problems.

Before the flooding of the reservoir is not fully implemented lesoochistka. The remaining forest slowly decomposes to form phenols. Hydroelectric dam built without rybopodёmnikov, resulting in a natural way barred the passage of fish on the spawning grounds. In addition, the negative impact on fish produce significant, up to 8 meters, the fluctuations of the reservoir level. Lack of shared sudopodёmnikov navigation on two non-communicating portion on the bottom and the upper reach. Zeya River below the dam does not freeze over 80-100 km. Therefore, in the winter time in this interval river transport links broken the ice between settlements. In winter along the ice-free portion of the river is worth a dense fog that has an impact on the health of people in the area. Due to late frost reservoir (December), autumn can be warm, long, cold softened.

Area: 4070 km²
Maximum depth: 11 m

Lake Khanka is located on the border of the Primorsky region of Russia and the Heilongjiang province of China. Khanka is the largest freshwater reservoir in the far East. The area 4070 km2 (with an average water level), length 95 km, dominated by the depth of 1-3 m, maximum – 10,6 m flow Into the lake, on 16 rivers, particularly Muddy, Melgunovka, the komissarovka river; flows the river Sungacha, a tributary of Ussuri river (Amur river basin). The Khanka lake and the adjacent territory are unique on biological diversity. Here are common meadow plant communities, grassy bogs, oak forests and woodlands, with the participation of pine grave. The lake is home to a large number of freshwater fish and other aquatic organisms. The presence of large freshwater reservoir led to the concentration of huge numbers of waterbirds. Of protected areas there is Khankaisky nature reserve.

General description.

The Khanka lake is the largest lake of Primorsky Krai is located in the centre Khanka lowland on the border with China Heilongjiang province.
The Northern part of the lake belongs to China. The lake – pear extension in its Northern part. Surface water is variable, it changes depending on climatic conditions. The maximum reaches 5010 km2, minimum – 3940 km2. The length of the lake is about 90 km, the maximum width is 67 km In the Khanka lake flows into 24 river, only one flows out – Sungach, which connects it with the Ussuri river, and the latter in turn with the Amur river. The Khanka lake is a shallow lake with an average depth is 4.5 m, and prevailing depths of 1-3 m, maximum depth is 10,6 M. Water in the lake is muddy, because of the frequent winds, and consequently strong mixing. The average runoff in the lake equal 1,94 km3 per year from a lake near – of 1.85 km3. Freezes in the second half of November, opened in April. Varied fauna and flora of lake Khanka. In 1971, in accordance with the Ramsar Convention, this territory was assigned the status of wetlands of international importance. And in 1990 in the basin of lake Khanka is organized by the state nature reserve Khankaisky. In April 1996 between the Governments of Russian Federation and people’s Republic of China signed the agreement on creation on the basis of Khankaisky nature reserve in Russia and Chinese reserve “Xingkai-Hu” of international Russian-Chinese nature reserve “Lake Khanka”.

The wetlands in the basin of lake Khanka are a unique natural complex. Khanka lowland and the coast of the lake are quite wetlands. Characteristic of Khanka so-called Plavni – plant communities formed by different kinds of sedge and grass. They form strong turf, covering the water table on the many tens of square kilometers. Here presents meadows (from wetlands to steppe, meadow-forest, forest-steppe and steppe plant communities. In the lake is home to many species of fish and aquatic invertebrates, many of which are endemic. The lake lives 52 species of fish, such as carp, verkhoglyad, carp, catfish, snakehead. On the banks of the nest and stop during migration birds of all kinds.

The River Aldan:
Length: 89 km
The area of the basin: 729 000 km²

Aldan – river in the far East of Russia, the right tributary of the Lena river. Flows within Yakutia, the catchment area of the river, occupies the North-Western part of Khabarovsk Krai. Aldan is on the sixth place among the rivers of Russia by volume of runoff and is the largest tributary of the river on the territory of the country. The Aldan basin is located in the development zone of permafrost and shallow indigenous crystalline rocks. The river originates on the Northern slope of the Stanovoy range. Within the Aldan plateau flows in stony riverbed with many rapids. Between the mouths of ucur and May flows on a wide valley, further – intermountain plain. In the floodplain are numerous lakes. In the lower course of the Aldan is divided into a number of branches.

The river Aldan, which is the right tributary of the Lena river, is located in Eastern Siberia, Yakutia. Its total length is 89 kilometres, and the total area of the basin is equal to 729 thousand square kilometers. The river has its source at one of the Northern slopes of the Stanovoy range, at an altitude of about 1400 metres above sea level. Then the route goes along the ridge Zvereva, then turns North and North-East, along the Aldan plateau, and finally, the river makes a turn to the West and flows into the Lena about 160 kilometres below Yakutsk. Part way Aldan (between places tributaries flow into Uchur and May) flows through a wide valley, then on the plain between the mountains. In the lower reaches, not far from the mouth, the river divides into several branches. Aldan is one of the largest Siberian rivers. In some places the lower part of his width of up to 15 kilometers. The average annual water runoff varies from 5,000 up to 5,000 cubic meters per second. This is slightly less than one-third of the total flow of Lena. Most of the drainage is observed in the summer months, and the lowest in winter when the river is covered with ice. The average flow rate in the greater part of 1.3 – 1.4 m/S. In the Aldan flows 275 tributaries, the length of which exceeds 10 kilometers. Most of them are located on the right side. Largest of them – ochur (has the largest drainage), May, Tyre, Timpton. The most significant left-Bank tributaries – Amga (has the greatest length – 1462 km), Notara. In addition, within the basin Aldan have more than 51 thousand lakes. The largest of them, lake high Current, has a water surface area 82.6 sq.km. Usually Aldan freezes in the end of October, the opening of the ice cover occurs in early may. During the floods in may and June, the water level in the river rises from 7 to 10 meters. The main river is happening due to the melting of snow and rain. By its chemical composition of water in the river belongs to the category of hydro-carbonate-calcium, the maximum concentration of salts reaches 0.3 grams per liter.

A large part of the Aldan navigable from its mouth up to the settlement Tommot. Navigation on the river lasts from June to October. Basic cargoes transported by water, are ores and ore concentrates, as well as industrial goods and food. In the river basin are numerous mining enterprises, processing ores of different metals. There are quite a large gold deposits, and also deposits of coal and mica. Aldan rich in fish resources. From valuable breeds it should be noted, first of all, sturgeon, white salmon, sturgeon and trout and burbot (the latter are found in the upper part of the river). The first known today, human settlements appeared in these places approximately 35-40 thousand years ago. Also known for numerous Parking later time – the era of the iron and bronze ages. In the early 17th century began to penetrate here first Russian explorers and settlers. It is along the Aldan they moved to the Amur and further East to the Pacific ocean. Currently there is a project of construction in Aldan basin hydropower cascade, consisting of 9 hydroelectric power station (South-Yakut cascade). However, the timing of its implementation is still unknown.

Hydrology.

The fed by snow and rain. The high water occurs in may-July, when the water level rises at 7-10 m, while the consumption reaches 30-48 thousand m3/sec. Floods are also observed in August and September. Winter consumption is small (4%), in February-April, usually no more than 230?300 m²/sec. The freezing-over lasts about seven months, freezing begins in late October, opening in may. Water chemical composition is hydrocarbonate-calcium, the maximum content of dissolved salts to 0.3 g/l (in the winter low water period). Having a length of 2 273 km and a catchment area of 729 thousand km², Aldan is the largest tributary of the Lena river, bringing it more than 30 % of its fall. Estimates of average annual water flow in the mouth in different sources differ and are usually specified within 5 000?5 200 m³/sec. For 58 years of observations at the hydrological station «Verkhoyansk ferry,» in 151 km from the estuary of the river Lena, annual water consumption was 5 245,85 m³/sec or in the mouth ?5 494,58 m³/sec.

Tributaries.

The largest tributaries are: the right – Timpton, Uchur, Tyre, May Allah-Jun, Tompo, Baray, TUMAR; left – Amga, Notara and Tatta. Only the river takes 275 tributaries of length more than 10 km of the Most affluent of them is the river ucur with the average flow rate in the mouth of 1 350 m³/sec. The largest catchment in the inflow of May – 171 000 km². The longest tributary is Amga, which runs almost parallel to the Aldan from most of its upstream and has a length of 1 462 km This Amga has the smallest unit discharge among all other major tributaries – the average flow rate in the mouth is 178 m³/s, which corresponds to a unit discharge 2.57 l(s·km²). In Aldan basin has more than 114 thousand watercourses and over 51 thousand lakes. The largest of the lakes within the catchment area of the river – lake Big Toko.

Commercial use.

Aldan shipping pier Tommot, is a vital water artery for the export of products of mining enterprises and bringing with Lena foodstuffs and industrial goods. The main jetty: Tommot, Ust-Maya, Khandyga, Eldikan. In the river basin are large deposits of gold, coal, mica. In Aldan basin is planned the construction of the South Yakutia hydropower cascade, on the river it is possible to construct Verkhnesaldinskoe HPP.