Such parks can cover vast areas with impenetrable forests, islands, coastal waters, and even mountain ranges and volcanoes. Unlike nature reserves and reserves, the protection regime in natural parks is the least strict. And these parks are a great opportunity for tourists to get acquainted with the natural resources of the country or region. And here is a list of the most beautiful and impressive national parks in the world.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan

The park, located southwest of Tokyo, is one of Japan's most popular parks. On the territory of the park there is an active Fuji volcano with its five lakes, the Izu Peninsula and islands near it, as well as waterfalls, hot springs and ancient temples. Especially beautiful is the volcano of the most symmetrical shape, wrapped in clouds in spring and summer - its greatness is immortalized in the works of many poets and artists.

Grand Canyon National Park, USA

This is probably the most famous national park in the world, and, as a result, the most photographed. The Grand Canyon in Arizona achieved national park status in 1919, three years after the founding of the US National Park Service. About five million people visit this park every year to see with their own eyes the amazing beauty of the canyon, which the Colorado River has carved for millions of years. The southern edge of the canyon is the most visited, the most numerous observation platforms are located here. On the northern edge of the canyon, located 300 meters higher, there are much fewer people, but it is good for its wild flowering meadows, spruce forests and aspen groves. The rest of the canyon is remote and difficult to access, although some areas can be reached via hiking trails and back roads.

Guilin National Park, China

Located in southeast China, the park is famous for its karst and limestone natural formations and beautiful hills with colorful names like "Elephant's Trunk" and "Dragon's Head". The nature of the park inspired many Chinese poets and artists, and some parts of the park were even depicted on local banknotes. To see all the beauty of Guilin, it is best to take a 50-kilometer cruise on the Lijiang River, from Guilin to Yangshuo.

Banff National Park, Canada

This is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Canadian Rockies. Lonely Planet describes Banff like this: “Mountains, high mountains, mountains everywhere. Fast rivers carry their waters between beautiful hills. Huge glaciers slide down from the peaks and practically touch the ground. Lakes with turquoise water shimmer in the sun - so saturated that it seems as if the water has been tinted.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The oldest and most popular national park in Tanzania is a World Heritage Site. The Serengeti is world famous for its annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, and buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, swamps, impalas, lions and leopards run between amazing acacias. And here, probably, the most enchanting sunsets in the world.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

It is considered by many to be the most spectacular national park in South America. Located on the edge of the continent, the park is known for its granite peaks and emerald forests, shining blue glaciers and azure lakes. Many tourists come here for walks and hikes.

Swiss National Park, Switzerland

Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park is the oldest national park in the Alps and central Europe, and the only national park in the country. It is famous for its unique alpine plants - in particular, edelweiss, which grows only high in the mountains. And in this park there are alpine animals - chamois, deer and marmots. Through the park, an 80-kilometer network of trails is laid, which turns these areas into a paradise for hikers.

Lake District National Park, England

The land that inspired artist William Turner and writer Beatrix Potter became a national park in 1951. The park is a valley with granite boulders and 16 amazingly beautiful lakes resting in the lowlands. These places are chosen by cyclists and lovers of water sports - windsurfing, kayaking and fishing.

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Located on the South Island, the park is the largest national park in the country. It spans rugged mountain ranges, 14 magnificent fjords and world famous waterfalls. Two of the park's most famous attractions are Milford Sound Fjord, which Rudyard Kipling called "the eighth wonder of the world" and Doubtful Sound Fjord, which can only be reached by water. People come to the national park for bird watching, boating, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

The first national park in the world today is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica. But, despite its size, it shows the world a chic nature - lush rainforests, beaches and rocky headlands. There are sloths, iguanas and squirrel monkeys in the jungle, colorful fish swim in the waters, bright butterflies flutter in the air - a real idyll!

First National parks, protecting natural societies, appeared in the 16th century. However, the first national park was discovered only at the end of the 19th century, in the USA. This really high honor was awarded to the unique Yellowstone Plateau, rich in geysers and hot mineral springs, where Yellowstone National Park was opened in 1872. In 1916, the United States created the Service national parks. Such US national parks as the Grand Canyon, Jasper, Olympic and others are now well known outside of North America.

The best reserves and national parks in the world

Since then, many national parks. The first national park in Europe was established in 1914 in the canton of Grisons, Switzerland. Then, in 1922, the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy was opened. First national park in France there was Vanoise, created in 1963. It borders the Italian Gran Paradiso for 14 kilometers. There are seven national parks in France, three of which are located in the Alpine crescent that stretches from France to Austria. The alpine crescent also contains other famous national parks of the world: Berchtesgaden in Germany, Hohe Tauern in Austria, Stelvio in Italy and Triglav in Slovenia.

Yellowstone - US national park

Yellowstone National Park- probably the most world famous national park. It is located on the border of the US states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The park, founded on March 1, 1872, is famous for its numerous geysers, and Yellowstone Lake - one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America - is located in the crater of the largest supervolcano on the continent. Therefore, most of the park is covered with solidified lava.

There are almost 3,000 geysers in Yellowstone, which is two-thirds of all geysers in the world. The world's largest geyser Steamboat is located here, as well as one of the most famous geysers in the world - the Old Faithful geyser. The latter throws jets of hot water to a height of more than forty meters, and the interval between eruptions is from 45 to 125 minutes. In addition to Yellowstone, there are only four geyser fields in the world - the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka, as well as fields in Iceland, Chile and New Zealand.

In addition to geysers, there are about ten thousand various geothermal sources in the park, including hot and hydrogen sulfide springs and mud volcanoes. Half of all geothermal sources in the world are concentrated in Yellowstone. In addition, about two thousand species of plants grow here, there are several hundred species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Name " Plitvice lakes” was first recorded in 1777, in 1949 the lakes received the status national park, and 30 years later were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. On the territory of the park there are 16 large karst lakes, 140 waterfalls, 20 caves. Moreover, Plitvice Lakes is one of the few national parks world where new waterfalls are born every year. A characteristic feature of the park is the color of the water. Pictures of the lakes look like a photomontage, but the water here is really azure. You can admire it from wooden decks, the total length of which reaches 18 km.

The park also has hiking trails, the shortest of which takes two hours to walk, and the longest takes eight. A boat also runs along the lakes, and mountain roads can be surveyed using an electric train with observation cars. It is strictly forbidden to swim in the lakes of the park, as well as to have picnics, make fires, and bring dogs. In addition, a unique beech and coniferous forest grows here, which has been preserved since ancient times and has the ability to self-repair.

Snowdonia, UK

Snowdonia National Park, located in the north of Wales, was created 60 years ago and became one of the first three national parks in England and Wales. The park owes its name to Mount Snowdon (1085 m), which is the highest point in Wales.

Unlike reserves in other countries, Snowdonia, like other national parks in the world, includes both public and private lands. Moreover, about 26 thousand people live in the park, while about 6 million tourists visit it annually. Snowdonia has 2,381 km of open hiking trails, 264 km of trails for walkers and horse riders and 74 km of other open roads. Moreover, Mount Snowdon can be reached both along a picturesque hiking trail 13 km long and by funicular. At the same time, the routes of several historical railways pass through the park.

Grand Canyon, USA

The Grand Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world located on the Colorado Plateau, in the US state of Arizona. Its length is 446 km, and the depth reaches 1600 m. The canyon was cut by the Colorado River in the thickness of limestone, shale and sandstone about 5-6 million years ago. These arguably the most complete geological outcrops in the world represent the history of the Earth over 1.5 billion years. Moreover, the canyon continues to grow today.

Approximately 2 million people visit the Grand Canyon Reserve every year, with the most popular among tourists being rafting down the Colorado on inflatable rafts. The climate on the plateau and at the bottom of the canyon differs sharply - when it is about fifteen degrees of heat above, at the bottom of the gorge, among the red-hot stones, the temperature rises to plus forty. Therefore, most tourists prefer to admire the canyon from observation platforms located on its banks. Indeed, in order to descend to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, it will take more than one hour.

Serengeti, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is famous for the huge number of animals living in this area. According to scientists, about five hundred species of birds and three million large animals live here. Moreover, a significant part of the animals (wildbeests and zebras) annually migrate from the north of the park, where drought sets in, to the south. With the onset of the rainy season in April-June, animals migrate to the west and north. In addition, the largest population of lions on the planet of all the national parks in the world lives here. The Serengeti is also home to thousands of elephants, gazelles, hyenas, hippos and rhinos. And the name of the park in the Masai language means “endless plains”, because most of the territory of the Serengeti is an endless savannah.

Fiordland, New Zealand

Fiordland National Park- the largest in New Zealand, it occupies most of the mountainous southwestern part of the South Island. Here are the deepest lakes in New Zealand, and the mountains in this part of the island reach a height of 2746 meters. Fiordland is still one of the most inaccessible areas of New Zealand. In addition to picturesque fjords, waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers, the park is famous for its rich flora and fauna.

Rare species of birds live in dense forests, for example, cockatoo parrots. During a visit to Fiordland, you can see a bottlenose dolphin or penguins. One of the most popular places in the park is Milford Sound, which the famous writer Rudyard Kipling called "the eighth wonder of the world." The bay, about 16 km long, is surrounded by majestic mountains over a kilometer high. Moreover, this is one of the wettest places on the planet: only every third day is not marked by rain.

Iguazu, Argentina-Brazil

Name "Iguazu" comes from the Guarani words y (water) and guasu (large). Legend has it that God wanted to marry a beautiful Aboriginal woman, but she ran away with her lover in a canoe. In anger, God cut the river, creating waterfalls, dooming the lovers to an eternal fall.

Today, a complex of 270 waterfalls has formed on the Iguazu River. Par is located on the border of the Brazilian state of Parana and the Argentinean province of Misiones. The border between the countries is marked by the Devil's Throat waterfall, which is 150 m wide and 7000 m long. This is the largest waterfall of the complex. The height of the water fall on Igausa reaches 82 meters, but on most waterfalls it does not exceed 60 meters. You can see the waterfalls thanks to the bridges, the total length of which is about 2 km.

Banff National Park, Canada

The oldest banff national park canada was founded in 1885. Two trans-Canada highways pass through the southern part of the park - the railway and the highway. It was during the laying of the railway in 1883 that hot springs were accidentally discovered in caves on the eastern slopes of the mountains. Two years later, these places were recognized as unique and taken under protection.

The park was named rocky mountain park” and became the first national park in Canada and the second created in North America, after Yellowstone National Park. Today it is one of the most visited national parks in the world. After all, here you can find everything that is associated with Canada: landscapes of extraordinary beauty and the smell of fir trees. There are glaciers, hot springs, hiking trails, ski slopes. The center of the park is the highest settlement in Canada, the city of Banff, located at an altitude of 1463 m above sea level.

Torres del Paine, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park located in southern Chile, in Patagonia. The name of the park, translated from the language of the Araucan Indians, means "Blue Towers". It is the three needle-like granite mountains, whose height ranges from 2600 to 2850 m, that have become the symbol of the national park. The highest point of Torres del Paine is Mount Paine Grande, whose height is 3,050 m.

There are two trails in the park. One of them takes 4 days, the second - about a week. At the same time, the park is one of the most visited tourist sites in Chile. After all, there are glaciers, high mountains, lakes, forests, many animals and birds live here, and even orchids can be found among the flowers.

Tatras, Poland-Slovakia

Two Tatra National Parks - one in Poland, the other in Slovakia - have a common border of 64 km. This is the highest part of the Carpathians, the length of which is approximately 60 km. These mountains were formed by glaciers, so the Tatras have many U-shaped valleys, mountain lakes with incredible clear water. Green areas and bare rocks occupy more than a quarter of the national park.

The flora of the Tatras is made up of more than a thousand species of plants, and the chamois can be called a living symbol of the park. This is a small animal from the subfamily of goats weighing 30-35 kg, covered with thick hair. Despite conservation efforts, these animals are still on the verge of extinction. There are also deer, wild boars, roe deer, and also wolves, bears and lynxes in the park. Due to its diverse relief, the Tatras are a favorite vacation spot for skiers.

National Park "Yugyd Va"

This national park, created in 1994, is under the protection of UNESCO. The Yugyd Va National Park is located on the western slopes of the Northern Urals, on the border between two parts of the world - Europe and Asia. The total area of ​​the territory is 1.8 million hectares. It is the largest national park in Russia. On its territory there is the largest natural forest in Europe, which is practically not affected by human influence.

More than 50% of the territory of the national park is occupied by forest. There are about 30 species of mammals in the national park, including: reindeer, elk, bear, wolf, wolverine and fox. More than 120 species of birds also live in the park. The most common are capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse and partridge. Some species of birds (for example, gyrfalcon and white-tailed eagle) are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. In the sources of the rivers located on the territory of the reserve, salmon breeds.

Elk Island National Park

The Losiny Ostrov National Park was organized on August 24, 1983 on the basis of the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR “On the Creation of the Losiny Ostrov State Natural National Park”. Along with the Sochi National Park, it is the oldest in Russia.

The area of ​​the Losiny Ostrov National Park is 128 sq. km, of which 30 sq. km is located within Moscow. Forests occupy 83% of the park area, swamps - 5%, water bodies - 2%.

Settlements on the territory of Losiny Island: the village of Mosvodokanal, Suponevo, Balashikha (microdistrict Abramtsevo), Novy Svet, Dolgoye Ledovo, Korolev (microdistrict Peat enterprise, Pogonny, 12th Switch, Oboldino).

There are three functional zones in the national park:
- specially protected, closed to the public, where natural complexes are preserved in their natural form. It serves as a refuge for large mammals, a nesting place for birds;
- educational and excursion, open to the public, accompanied by a guide on ecological routes;
- recreational, designed for mass recreation.

The uniqueness of Losiny Ostrov is that on its territory, surrounded by a metropolis, a natural forest has been preserved, which is distinguished by exceptional natural diversity. Part of the forests of Losiny Ostrov belong to the primary forests - a special type of ancient virgin forest that has been preserved for a long period of time and has not been affected by human activity.

The main feature of the nature of Losiny Ostrov is the great diversity and mosaic distribution of plant communities in its relatively small area.

More than 600 species of higher plants, 36 species of lichens, about 90 species of fungi, and about 150 species of algae are found on the territory of Losiny Ostrov. Species listed in the Red Books of Moscow and the Moscow Region are presented.

In the forest, surrounded on all sides by cities with a population of many millions, about 180 species of birds live or appear during migration, up to 40 species of mammals (including elks, wild boars, spotted deer), at least 13 species of amphibians and reptiles. About 15 species of fish live in the reservoirs of the park.

Sochi National Park

Sochi State Natural National Park is one of the first national parks in Russia. The area is 191 thousand hectares. It was created by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR in May 1983 with the aim of preserving and restoring unique natural complexes on the territory along the Black Sea coast from the Shepsi River to the Psou River. But in the northeast, the border of the park runs along the watershed of the Main Caucasian Range. The territory of the national park is served by about 200 people of the state forest guard in 15 forestries.

All settlements and cities of Greater Sochi are located within the territory of the national park.

According to forest zoning, the territory of the park is included in the Colchis province of subtropical forests.
The most common stands are dominated by beech - 41%. Beech forests, the only ones in Russia, amaze with their beauty and grandeur, silver-gray columns of trunks rise 50 meters into the sky.
Oak plantations occupy 25% of the forested area and are located mainly on the dry and warm southern slopes of the mountains.
But the share of chestnut trees falls to 13% of the forested area. Sowing chestnut is a representative of the tertiary flora and is classified as a relict breed. This is the only place in Russia where the sowing chestnut (European) grows in natural conditions.
Hornbeam plantations occupy an area of ​​about 7%, alder - 3%, fir - 5%, boxwood - 1%.
The rest of the territory is occupied by plantations of maple, ash, aspen, linden, walnut, yew, pine, Himalayan cedar, and other species.

In total, 165 species of wild woody plants grow here.

Of great scientific, educational and aesthetic interest are boxwood plantations - newcomers of the Tertiary period. The delicate "lace" of small, black-green, glossy foliage of boxwood and the fluffy moss hanging from the trunks and branches everywhere, long, like the beards of fairy-tale heroes, gives the forest a fantastic look of a green kingdom.

The fauna of the national park includes about 70 species of mammals: brown bear, badger, deer, lynx, Caucasian and European roe deer, marten, otter, jackal, wild cat, wild boar, hare, squirrel, etc.
From a large variety (about 120 species) of birds, there are red-headed kinglet, black-headed nuthatch, eagle owl, jay. Migratory birds appear in the forest, on water bodies in spring and autumn (great spotted woodpecker, geese, swans, pigeons, common quail). There are also 11 species of reptiles and 7 species of amphibians.

About 40 rivers and streams of the Black Sea basin flow through the territory of the national park, three of them are over 50 km long - Mzymta, Shakhe, Psou.

Rivers and streams have a large number of waterfalls and canyons. The waterfalls are mainly located in the upper reaches of large rivers, on rivers of the second order and their tributaries: Bezymyanny (72 m) on the Psou River, Orekhovsky (33 m) on the right tributary of the river. Sochi at the confluence of the stream. Madness. Agur waterfalls and Eagle rocks are a single natural complex, located to the west of Mount Akhun. This complex, located next to the sea, is striking in its grandeur. River bed Agur, cutting through the western slope of the Akhun mountain, has formed a canyon-like gorge with a depth of over 200 m. A picturesque Agur trail is laid along the river.

There are 48 republican routes on the territory of the national park that pass through numerous places of interest: the Vorontsov caves, the Dzykhrinsky gorge, the Atskhu gorge, Krasnaya Polyana, Akhshtyrskaya cave and much more.
The safety of mineral resources is largely determined by the state of the Black Sea mountain forests. Being unique natural formations, they perform water and soil protection functions. Matsesta waters, sources of Lazarevskaya and Sochi mineral waters, iodine-bromine waters of Kudepsta and many others originate in the depths of the national park.

The economic activity of the national park is aimed at protecting green spaces from forest violations, fires and pests, and combating poaching.

National park workers annually take care of the forest on an area of ​​1.5 thousand hectares, create recreational centers for tourists to visit, put in order tourist routes, take care of 7 forest parks on an area of ​​about 5 thousand hectares.

The wood processed in the workshops of the national park is used for own needs in forest parks, in the construction and maintenance of forest guard offices and cordons, and for the production of consumer goods.

Workers created plantations of hazelnuts - 150 hectares, cork and variable oak on an area of ​​120 hectares, plantations of noble laurel and mimosa. In the national park there are bee apiaries, plantings of horticultural and wild fruit crops.

Alania National Park

Alania State Park in North Ossetia is surrounded by mountain ranges, at an altitude of 800 to 4645 m (Wilpata) in the Urukh River basin. Glaciers, mountains and scree make up a large part of the entire park area. The main water artery of the park is the Urukh River, created by the confluence of the two rivers Kharesidon and Karaugomdon. About 70 solid streams and rivers flow in the park. In the lower part of the slopes of the Vodorazdelny and Bokovoy ridges and at their foot, one can see areas of the community of upland xerophytes and mountain steppes, subalpine meadows occupy the upper areas. The vegetation of Alania Park is quite diverse. On its terrain, pine-birch forests, mountain pine forests, broad-leaved beech-hornbeam forests, juniper woodlands, as well as alpine and subalpine meadows are shown. Forests in the park cover a fifth of its entire area. The area of ​​the state park is rich in medicinal, edible, melliferous and ornamental plants. Among these types of plants here you can see the large-flowered initial letter, the larkspur bract, the valley saffron, the monofraternal lily, the narrow-leaved snowdrop, the Caucasian scabiosa, the Olympic catchment, and so on. The distinctive agents of the animal world that live in the park are the pine marten, stone marten, forest pussycat, chamois boar, roe deer, ermine and others. Many historical monuments have been preserved on the territory of the park. There are quite a few caves, rocky grottoes and sheds on the Rocky Range, which have been used by man as parking lots since the bottomless antiquity. The Alanian catacomb burial grounds in Kumbulta and Donifars are very famous. In addition, the park organizes trips to the Tana glacier and to the largest mountain swamp in the Main Caucasus, Chifandzar. Unforgettable memories can be obtained from visiting the waterfalls of Galdoridon, medieval towers, old crypts, tombs and shrines.

Shushensky Bor National Park

The foundation of the national park took place in 1995. Its location is the South of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the territory of the Shushensky District, the junction of the Western Sayan mountain system and the Minusinsk foothill basin. This is the center of the Asian continent. This park includes two allotments, the area of ​​which is 34.8 thousand hectares and 4.4 thousand hectares, these allotments directly belong to the national park.
The motive that prompted the creation of the park was the need for an agreement between some parties of the activity. These are: preservation of the unusual landscape of the area; current economic work; use of this nature for recreation. All these aspects have to be balanced with each other. It was also necessary to preserve the exclusivity of natural ecological systems that have one specific zone.

In the northern half of the park there is a very beautiful landscape, consisting of a pine forest, colorful meadows, a grassy plain. The southern half is characterized by mountainous terrain and taiga landscape, and coniferous forests grow in front of the mountains. In addition to conifers, there are also forests with different types of trees: cedar, pine, aspen. Black taiga - fir occupies most of the area, dark coniferous taiga - spruce and fir. At the highest point of the area stretch subalpine meadows with perennial herbaceous plants.

My publication is a response to the topic "25 photos of amazing places that you should see at least once in your life."

Lord! Love your country first! Study its history, nature, get acquainted with unique, unrepeatable beauties and protect them!.

I did not set myself the task of showing and describing the famous national parks and reserves of Russia. It is impossible, and it is not necessary here on the site. But to remind, to acquaint with some of them, to interest, attract attention, I would like, and then you yourself ...

GO...

In Russia, there are a little more than a hundred nature reserves and national parks. This is hardly enough for such a vast territory as Russia, as some species of plants and animals continue to disappear. To draw attention to the problem, 2013 was declared the year of environmental protection in Russia. As part of the program, it was planned to equip about two dozen more nature protection zones.

Each Russian region, from Kaliningrad (Curonian Spit with a dancing forest) to Kamchatka (hills and volcanoes), has something to surprise.

Studying the nature of Russia is a very exciting activity. Eh, we practically don’t know anything about our Motherland, and at school something little attention is paid to our unique nature. It is unlikely that anyone will set out to visit all the national parks of Russia, but when traveling around the country, it is worth looking into these natural corners. Having delved into geography, you can find out that “Manpupuner” is, it turns out, not an overseas curse, but a wonder of the world in the Komi Republic, Tanais is a disappeared trading city in the Rostov region, Krasnoyarsk and Lena pillars are not pillars at all, but amazing rocks. And many more discoveries await those who want to learn more about the amazing nature of our country.

The Zabaikalsky National Park is one of the few national parks in Russia that fully meet the UNESCO recommendations for this category of specially protected natural areas.

The Zabaikalsky National Park is located within a typical mountain-taiga region. The relief is mountainous. Within the boundaries of the park, large orographic units are distinguished: the Svyatonossky Range, the Barguzinsky Range, the Chivyrkuisky Isthmus and the Ushkany Islands.

Two mountain ranges stretch across the territory of the park in the direction from northeast to southwest: the Barguzinsky Range - gradually lowering from the Barguzinsky Reserve to Lake. Barmashovoye (the highest elevation of the ridge within the park is 2376 m above sea level) and the Sredinny Ridge of the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula (the highest elevation approximately in the middle part of 1877 m), gradually lowering to the north and south. The Chivyrkui Isthmus connects the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula with the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. The Ushkany Islands (Bolshoy Ushkany Island and Small Ushkany Islands) are the peaks of the Academic Ridge, which divides the Baikal depression into two basins - northern and southern.

Altai Reserve has been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1998. Included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) - May 26, 2009. Included in the list of "Global-200" (WWF) - virgin or little changed ecoregions of the world, in which 90% of the planet's biodiversity is concentrated.

The territory occupied by the Altai Reserve includes five physiographic regions of three natural provinces. In the spectrum of altitudinal zonality, almost all natural belts of the Altai Mountains are distinguished: taiga low and middle mountains, subalpine and alpine meadow middle and high mountains, tundra-steppe high mountains, tundra middle and high mountains, glacial-nival high mountains. Forests occupy 34% of the total area of ​​the main zone. They are located in the lower and middle parts of the mountains, on the steep slopes of the valleys, as well as on the lower parts of the sloping crests. The lower border of the forest begins at the level of 436 meters (the level of Lake Teletskoye), and the upper one is different in different parts. So, if in the southeast it is at an altitude of 2000–2200 m above sea level, then in the northwest it drops to a level of 1800–2000 m.

Of particular value to the protected area is a unique grove of relic yew pointed on about. Petrov, thickets of endemic microbiota of a cross-pair population of such rare animals as the Amur goral, the Amur tiger, the Ussuri spotted deer.

The Lazovsky Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, between the rivers Kievka and Chernaya. Ridge Zapovedny divides the territory of the reserve into two parts - northern continental and southern coastal. The average height of the mountains is 500–700 m, some peaks reach 1200–1400 m above sea level. The slopes of the mountains have different steepness, on average 20-25 degrees, their crests are narrow but flat. Significant areas are occupied by stony placers. The height of the spurs decreases in the east towards the sea, the watershed ridges pass into small hilly ridges up to 100 m high.

The territory of the reserve includes two small islands - Petrova and Beltsova, located at the southern border of the reserve. The islands are covered with forest.

The very first reserve in the Far East and one of the oldest reserves in Russia, formed to preserve and study the undisturbed liana coniferous-deciduous forests of Southern Primorye, unique for Russia, characterized by a high proportion of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. The reserve and its environs is the only place in Russia where the Far Eastern leopard lives.

In 2004, the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve received the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The most valuable are black fir-broad-leaved forests or black fir forests, the Far Eastern leopard, on Mount Chalban plants are common that are very rare in other places of the Far East - currant bloater, Komarov's currant. For the first time in the reserve (on Mount Chalban) a rocky primrose was found and species new to science were described - the Far Eastern violet and the Ussuri corydalis. The river Kedrovaya flows on the territory of the reserve - its length does not exceed 25 kilometers. It is she who is the ideal of a clean river for scientists all over the world.

The Samarskaya Luka National Park was created in 1984 by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, and is one of the first three national parks in Russia.

Samarskaya Luka is a unique area formed by the bend of the largest European river Volga in its middle reaches and the Usinsky Bay of the Kuibyshev reservoir. The Volga in this place makes a large arc facing east, and then turns to the southwest. Its length is more than 200 km. Highly elevated ancient carbonate rocks here form a semblance of an island.

Unique landforms, a peculiar microclimate, amazing beauty of the mountains, the blue necklace of the Volga framing them, unique flora and fauna have earned the Zhiguli and Samarskaya Luka as a whole world fame.

There is an unusually high concentration of monuments of almost all cultures of the European forest-steppe known to science, from the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age to the present. There are about 200 natural and historical monuments on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. It is also rich in archaeological finds.

The Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was established on the territory of the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts of the Smolensk region in 1992 "to preserve natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes." In November 2002, it was awarded the status of a biosphere reserve of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. The name "Smolenskoye Poozerye" is due to 35 large and small glacial lakes located in the park. Each of these lakes is beautiful and unique in its own way.

By configuration, the territory of the park is almost a regular rhombus. The maximum distance from west to east is 55 km, from north to south - 50 km. The geographical center of the park is located in the area of ​​the village. Przhevalskoye. The total area of ​​the park within the boundaries approved by state acts is 146,237 hectares. The security zone is 500 m of territory adjacent to the border of the park.

The Curonian Spit National Park is located in the part of the Kaliningrad region bordering Lithuania on a narrow strip of land between the salty Baltic Sea and the freshwater Curonian Lagoon. The northern borders of the park run along the Russian-Lithuanian border.

The natural uniqueness of the territory of the national park is that it is the largest sand bar in the world. The dune landscapes of the spit are distinguished by their exceptional beauty and aesthetic impact on humans and represent a unique object for the development of ecological tourism.

The Curonian Spit was regarded as “an exceptional example of a landscape consisting of sand dunes and under constant threat from natural forces such as wind and water. After the destructive intervention of a man who threatened the existence of the spit, it was restored through stabilization and protection work begun in the 19th century and continuing to this day. Currently, the territory of the Curonian Spit is officially protected by the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

The Valdaisky National Park was established to preserve the unique lake-forest complex of the Valdai Upland and create conditions for the development of organized recreation in this area. The basis for the creation of the park was the unique combination and richness of natural components, the degree of their preservation and the possibility of maintaining ecological balance, the huge aesthetic impact of natural landscapes. A differentiated regime of special protection has been established on the territory of the park, taking into account its natural, historical and cultural features. In accordance with this, the following functional zones have been identified: reserved, specially protected, recreational, regulated use zone around lakes and rivers, as well as a visitor service zone.

The national park is located in the northern part of the Valdai Upland, its length from north to south is 105 km, from west to east - 45 km. The boundaries of the Park approximately correspond to the boundaries of the watersheds of lakes Borovno, Valdaiskoye, Velye, Seliger and the upper reaches of the Polomet River.

The Baikal-Lensky State Nature Reserve is located on an area of ​​659.9 thousand hectares. It is located on the territory of the Kachugsky and Olkhonsky districts of the Irkutsk region. The reserve stretches from south to north along the western coast of Lake Baikal for about 120 km with an average width of 65 km.

The total length of the coastline of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Zapovednoe Pribaikalye" is about 590 km and covers the western coast of Lake Baikal from the village of Kultuk in the south to Cape Elokhin in the north. In December 1996, the Baikal-Lena Reserve (along with Barguzinsky and Baikalsky) was included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.

At present, the process of merging the Baikal-Lena Reserve and the Pribaikalsky National Park into a single nature protection, scientific and tourist complex has been completed: the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Reserved Pribaikalye".

One of the oldest reserves in Russia, established in 1920 to preserve unique mineral deposits. Since 1935, it has been transformed into a complex reserve for the conservation and study of mineral wealth, flora and fauna of the eastern macroslope of the Southern Urals. In 1991, the Arkaim historical and archaeological branch (now the Stepnoe forestry) was attached to the reserve to preserve and study the unique monument of the early urban civilization of the Bronze Age - the Arkaim settlement and the archaeological complex in the Bolshekaraganskaya valley. The reserve is the only mineralogical reserve in the country and one of the few mineralogical reserves in the world.

Karadag Reserve

Not far from Feodosia, there is an amazing nature reserve, with which many legends are associated. Kara-Dag ("Black Mountain") is a volcanic massif, the last eruption of which occurred 150 million years ago. The Karadag nature reserve itself, occupying an area of ​​more than 2870 hectares, was founded in 1979. Moreover, part of its area falls on the Black Sea.

Wonderful landscapes of Kara-Dag attracted tourists in ancient times. So that the unique nature would not be destroyed, it was decided to establish a nature reserve. Walking in this zone is allowed only if accompanied by employees strictly along the "ecological path".

Since its founding, the fauna and flora of the Karadag Reserve have been restored to a large extent. 125 species of animals living on the slopes of the mountain range, 79 species of plants are listed in the Red Book.

According to the legends, in one of the underwater caves near Kara-Dag, a giant Karadag monster resembling a snake lives.

Alien views of Kara-Dag are the result of the work of sea waves, sun, wind and time. The symbol of the reserve is recognized as a rock in the form of an arch, born directly from the water. She is called Shaitan-Kapu, which means "Devil's mouth." Other rocky ledges also deserve unusual names - "Dragon", "Ivan the Robber", "King" and others.

Manpupuner

The Ural Mountains... more than 200 million years ago, they stood proudly on the young planet Earth and witnessed many grandiose events. Over long millennia, water and wind gradually destroyed them. And today the Ural Mountains are one of the lowest in the world. But there were places in the Urals where nature could not cope with the stone. One of them is known to us under the name Manpupuner.

First of all, under the influence of the environment, soft rocks were destroyed, and stronger ones were able to reach our days. Geologists call them remnants. On Manpupuner, the remains are huge stone pillars 30 to 42 m high.

This place is truly mystical, because the Pillars of weathering, as the remnants are also called, are so ancient that even the Mansi worshiped them during the pagan period, and in translation from their language Manpupuner means “small mountain of idols”. Mansi, unlike geologists, know the true origin of stone pillars.

Russian North Park

Vologda Region.

Located in the north of the Russian plain, the "Russian North" became one of the first national parks that appeared on the territory Russian Federation completely official.

The peculiarity of this protected area is that in a relatively small area in this area of ​​the Russian Plain, it was possible to simultaneously collect the most complete "collection" of plants and trees, comfortably accommodate a huge number of mammals, fish and birds, many of which have long been listed as endangered species. not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also on a global scale.

As for historical and architectural monuments, their number in the Russian North National Park cannot but amaze. First of all, among other buildings, several monasteries built during the 14th-15th centuries of Russian history are of particular importance.

Barguzinsky Reserve

The oldest in Russia, the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve is located on the northeastern coast of Lake Baikal, on the western slopes of the Barguzinsky Range. His task was to preserve and study the sable. 39 species of mammals and 243 species of birds are known in the reserve. Permanent inhabitants of the reserve: sable, Siberian weasel, lynx, fox, wolf, bear, reindeer, elk, squirrel, hazel grouse, capercaillie nutcracker, Baikal seal.

Here you can see all the high-altitude belts of the Barguzinsky Range, trace the change of vegetation from the shore of Lake Baikal to high-mountain lakes.

Great Arctic Reserve

The reserve is located beyond the Arctic Circle - on the Taimyr Peninsula and small islands, where there is permafrost, which can only be reached by air, and even then in summer weather. But the impressions even from one trip will definitely be enough for you for a lifetime.

In the Great Arctic Reserve, a relatively new type of ecological tourism for Russia is now gaining popularity - birdwatching, bird watching.

Reserve "Ubsunur Hollow"

The unique state natural biosphere reserve "Ubsunur Hollow" is one of the key areas of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion. Which, in turn, is included in the Global 200 list - a list of virgin or little changed ecoregions of the world, in which more than 90% of the planet's biodiversity is concentrated. Simply put, this is one of the few places on the planet where you can feel like 500-1000 (or even more) years ago.

The Ubsunur basin is characterized by the rarest combination of different elements of the fauna; 83 species of mammals are found here. The red wolf, snow leopard (irbis), Altai mountain sheep (argali) and gazelle are included in the Red Book of Russia and the reserve. In 2003, the basin was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve

Organized in 1924, one of the largest not only in the Krasnodar Territory, but also in Russia. A reserve has been established to protect the unique natural complex of the Russian subtropics, to restore the number of animals and birds living on its territory. Many species of southern plants grow in the reserve, including fruit trees; above 1900-2000 m above sea level there are subalpine meadows, characterized by a large number of flowers that make this area especially beautiful. The most valuable species of animals, birds and plants living in the reserve are listed in the Red Book. Any human economic activity on the territory of the reserve is prohibited.

Kivach

The nature reserve Kivach is one of the oldest in Russia, founded in 1931. It is formed around the waterfall of the same name, which is its main attraction. A visit to the reserve and the waterfall is included in almost all excursions in Karelia.

Derzhavin, the first governor of Olonets and an outstanding poet, wrote the famous ode "Waterfall", after which Kivach took a prominent place in the work of many poets, artists, prose writers. The waterfall is beautiful at any time of the year: the waters of the river compressed by basalt rocks. Suns from an eight-meter height fall down in heavy cast streams, forming a powerful whirlpool in shreds of foam and producing an impressive noise. The most famous visitor to the waterfall is Emperor Alexander II. On the occasion of his arrival in 1868, a good road was laid to Kivach, a gazebo was built on the right bank and a house for overnight stay on the left, and below the waterfall - a bridge over the Suna River.

Klyuchevskiy Natural Park

Klyuchevskoy natural park (Kamchatka region) is located on the territory of the forest fund of Klyuchevskoy forestry. The territory of the natural park is unique in its relief and has no analogues in the whole world: on an insignificant territory there are 13 volcanic structures of different ages, among which rises the most active volcano in the world and the highest active volcano in Asia, Klyuchevskoy, with an absolute mark of about 4800 meters above sea level. Its height, due to frequent eruptions, is constantly changing due to solidifying lava flows.

Krasnoyarsk pillars

Krasnoyarsk pillars is a state natural reserve located in the spurs of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, on the right bank of the Yenisei. Local rocks are called pillars because of their shape. They are tall - from 60 to 600 meters - and narrow. The age of the pillars is worthy of respect: according to various sources, from 450 to 600 million years have passed since the day they appeared. According to scientists, the pillars were formed due to the powerful pressure of magma, which could not break through to the surface of the earth. And their bizarre outlines were formed due to the influence of wind and precipitation.

The reserve has about a hundred pillars of gray-pink granite, each of which has its own name. Names were assigned not by chance, but depending on what or who this or that stone looks like. One of the most famous is the Grandfather pillar, as it resembles a formidable old man with a huge thick beard. Next to him are his relatives - Great-grandfather, Granddaughter, Grandmother, Gemini. There are animals, birds and everything in general. For example, the Chinese Wall, Feathers, Lion's Gate, Tusk.

National Park "Call of the Tiger"

Located in Primorsky Krai.

The national park was established in 2007 in the southeastern part of Primorsky Krai, and the main goal of its creation was to preserve the endangered Amur tiger population. Of course, other rare animals also live here - the Far Eastern forest cat, spotted deer, goral, roe deer, red deer, Himalayan and brown bears.

its landscape is mountains and valleys, so that the height difference can reach more than 1700 km. There are more than 50 mountains alone, more than a kilometer high, on the territory and on the borders. Thanks to the difference in height, an amazing diversity of the flora of the park is achieved, which has no equal in the whole world. Here you can see many plants listed in the Red Book, dense spruce and tundra forests, as well as relic plants. Lianas (schizandra, wild grapes) that wrap around coniferous trees give a unique look to the landscapes of the park. Here you can also find many medicinal plants and flowers: lilies, peonies, slippers and so on.

About 250 different species of birds and more than fifty mammals live in the Call of the Tiger park. There is nothing else like it in Russia.