Lake Ladoga coast. Lake Ladoga: attractions, photos, videos, reviews. extreme sports

Ladoga lake located in the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region of the Russian Federation. It is considered one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. Its area is about 18 thousand square meters. kilometers. The bottom is uneven: in one place the depth can be 20 meters, and in another - 70 meters, but the maximum is 230 meters. 35 rivers flow into this water area, and only the Neva flows out. Ladoga is divided into North and South, East and West.

Formation of the water area

Scientists say that Lake Ladoga is of glacial-tectonic origin. At the site of its basin, about 300-400 million years ago, there was a sea. The change in relief was influenced by glaciers, which led to the rise of the land. When the glacier began to recede, a glacial lake with fresh water appeared, Antsyl Lake appeared, which connected with Ladoga. New tectonic processes take place 8.5 thousand years ago, due to which the Karelian Isthmus was formed, and the lake became isolated. Over the past 2.5 thousand years, the relief has not changed.
In the Middle Ages in Russia, the lake was called "Nevo", and in Scandinavia - "Aldoga". However, its real name comes from Ladoga (city). Now this is not only the name of the city, but the river and the lake. It is difficult to determine which object was first named Ladoga.

Climatic features

In the area of ​​Lake Ladoga, a temperate and transitional climate type has formed: from continental to maritime. It depends on the circulation of air masses and on the location. The amount of solar radiation here is small, so moisture evaporates slowly. The average number of days in a year is 62. The weather is mostly overcast and cloudy. Daylight hours in different time year changes from 5 hours 51 minutes. until 18 h 50 min. From the end of May to the middle of July there are "white nights" when the sun sets below the horizon by about 9o, and the evening smoothly turns into morning.

The water resources of the lake are the main climate-forming factor in the Ladoga region. The water area contributes to the smoothing of some climatic indicators. So the air masses from the continent, passing over the surface of the lake, become sea. The minimum temperature of the atmosphere drops to -8.8 degrees Celsius, and the maximum rises to +16.3 degrees, the average is +3.2 degrees. The average annual rainfall is 475 millimeters.

Recreational riches

Despite the fact that even in summer the water in the lake is very cold, a large number of people come here on vacation every year, so there are beaches for tourists. Many vacationers ride catamarans and kayaks.

There are 660 islands on the lake, and they are mainly concentrated in the northern part of the reservoir. Among the largest are the Western and Valaam archipelagos, and the largest islands are Riekkalansari, Valaam, Mantsinsaari, Tulolansari, Kilpola. Monasteries were built on some islands (Konevei, Valaam), where the relics of saints rest and sacred relics are located. There is also a memorial "Road of Life".

On the territory of the Ladoga basin, the Nizhnevirsky Reserve is located, where various species of fauna, including rare ones, live. Here grow such types of flora.

Basic moments

Lake Ladoga is an important link on the Volga-Baltic route. During the navigation period, passenger ships of the marine class ply its waters, but navigation here is limited due to sudden storms. The main shipping traffic runs through the bypass channels of the Volga-Balta.

Since ancient times, Christian righteous have settled in these remote lands. Small sketes grew into monasteries, which became authoritative spiritual centers of Russia. During the dark period of repressions of the 20-30s of the last century, the cloisters were liquidated, and prisoners were kept within their walls. In the 90s, justice was restored, and the monasteries were returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Today Priladozhye is one of the most popular tourist regions of the country. Reserves protecting the Karelian nature have been created here. In cities and towns located around Lake Ladoga, lined up tourist bases, hotels. Infrastructure is actively developing in the coastal cities - Shlisselburg, Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Sortaval, Pitkyaranta, from which the main excursion routes. Travelers get acquainted with the beauties of northern nature, original monuments of history and culture.

History of Lake Ladoga

Lake Ladoga is a relic of the last glaciation that covered the northern hemisphere of the planet by geological standards quite recently - about 10-12 thousand years ago. The vast valley, now the bottom of the lake, was filled with melt water, rivers and streams rushed into the lowland. Following the glacier retreating to the north, people came to the banks of the reservoir. Numerous traces of settlements were discovered during construction work, in archaeological science they are called the Ladoga sites. Among the artifacts of prehistoric times are stone arrowheads and spears, fragments of ceramic dishes with ornaments, human burials and food remains. The diet of the local inhabitants of the Neolithic era was dominated by lake fish, meat was obtained by hunting seals, forest game and waterfowl.

In the Scandinavian sagas and in the trade agreements of the merchants of the Hanseatic League, the lake is called Aldoga, which can mean “wavy”, but linguists offer other interpretations. These places were inhabited by Karelians, Vepsians, Chuds. In the languages ​​of these peoples, more ancient names of Lake Ladoga have been preserved, one of them is Veliky Nevo.

During the Middle Ages, Ladoga and the vast territories of Karelia were included in the sphere of influence of Veliky Novgorod. Novgorod trade and military sailboats sailed along the lake. From time immemorial, Sweden also claimed the Ladoga region. One of the episodes of this confrontation is reported by the Novgorod Chronicle. At the beginning of the summer of 1164, warships of the Swedish king entered the lake and headed for the walls of the coastal fortress of Ladoga, built at the mouth of the Volkhov River. The stronghold covered Novgorod from the north. In that battle, the Novgorod squad defeated the Swedes, keeping Karelia for Russia. But it was only at the beginning of the 18th century that Tsar Peter I, who ended the Russian-Swedish war with victory, managed to put an end to the dispute over the territory.

Storms often rage on Lake Ladoga, caused by strong gusty winds. It was this circumstance, which often led to shipwrecks, that forced Peter I to decide on the construction of bypass canals, which ensured safe transit navigation. The construction of canals continued in the following centuries. Thanks to these man-made water arteries, today the lake is connected with the southern and northern regions of Russia by busy navigation along the modern route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” - from the Baltic to Azov and the Black Sea coast.

Dramatic events of the Great Patriotic War took place on Ladoga. The famous Road of Life ran here, the only thread from the mainland to Leningrad besieged by the Nazi troops. Major battles took place in this area, aimed at breaking the blockade of the Northern capital.

Geography and natural resources

The coastline of Lake Ladoga is picturesque and diverse. The northern coast is composed of rocky ridges, smoothed by a glacier, among them huge boulders are scattered. This part of the lake landscape is strewn with islands, indented by narrow winding bays deeply protruding into the mainland, here they are called skerries. The islands and coasts are overgrown with birches, pines and firs, shrubs dominate the mossy undergrowth, berries and mushrooms grow in abundance. In the northern part, the water depth reaches 230 m.

The western coast is also rocky, but the slopes, adorned with mixed forests, are almost not indented by bays.

A characteristic feature of the eastern shore of Lake Ladoga is wide sandy beaches, high dunes overgrown with mast pines are washed up in the river mouths. Here is the island of Mantsinsaari, one of the largest on the lake.

The southern coast is low-lying and swampy, it is covered with dense thickets of reeds, there are nesting places for various waterfowl. The coastal part is dangerous for navigation, stone reefs and sandbars are hidden under shallow water.

Part of the lake coast is included in the northern and northeastern regions of the Leningrad region, the other part belongs to the territory of the Republic of Karelia.

35 rivers flow into Lake Ladoga, the largest of them are Volkhov, Svir, Vuoksa. And only one Neva flows out of it, retaining the ancient Karelian name of Lake Nevo. This is probably where the concept of seine - a fishing net - comes from. Geologists managed to find out that this runoff to the Baltic was formed quite recently, in foreseeable historical times. Neva is about 2500 years old. Before the appearance of a breakthrough of rocks by the Neva outflow into the Gulf of Finland, the level of the lake was about 12 meters higher, all modern coastal regions were under water.

To the east of Vyborg, geologists discovered traces of the bed of an older river that carried away excess Ladoga waters. This glacial proto-river existed about 10 thousand years ago. Over time, the land, freed from the weight of billions of tons of ice, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and the old channel gradually rose above the water level. Geologists note that the uplift of the granite shield on which Karelia is located continues to this day.

Historical and nature reserves. Since 2017, by decree of the government of the Russian Federation, 650 rocky islets, clustered along the northern coast of the reservoir, have been classified as protected areas. Organized here national park"Ladoga Skerries" with a unique ecosystem - several thousand freshwater seals listed in the Red Book live here, they are known as Ladoga seals. Local waters are inhabited by rare species of fish, also protected by Russian law. Colonies of seagulls nest on the islands. The reserve is located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia, the park area exceeds 122 thousand hectares.

In the west, the skerry limits the large island of Kilpola, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island has its own lake - Vitsalampi, as well as smaller reservoirs. There are ancient Karelian settlements, camp sites and cafes, campsites and guest houses. There is a whole fleet of sailing yawls for walking along the skerries.

Climate and weather

The climate on Ladoga is transitional from temperate continental to maritime. Cloudy weather prevails, sunny days are rare. But from the end of May to mid-July, marvelous white nights are observed here. In March and September - periods of prolonged rains.

Hydrographers characterize Lake Ladoga as "cold-water". In the deepest place the water temperature does not exceed +4...+5 °C.

The shallow southern part of Lake Ladoga warms up well in summer. In this water area, the water temperature in June-August reaches +24 °C, and a short beach season opens here. But in most of the reservoir, even in the warmest time of the year, swimming is uncomfortable, the temperature of the water rarely exceeds +14 °C. The warmest period comes here in mid-August, when the air temperature reaches +22...+24 °C.

Sights of Lake Ladoga

An extensive list of attractions of Lake Ladoga is headed by the world-famous ancient monastery on the island of Valaam. According to legend, the first cross was erected here by the Apostle Andrew. Historians attribute the foundation of the monastery to the 11th century.

On the neighboring island of Putsaari, surrounded by a round dance of small islands, there is a secluded St. George Skete. This quiet monastery belongs to the Valaam Monastery, and tourists rarely come here.

20 km from the city of Lodeynoye Pole, on the wooded bank of the Svir River, there is the Alexander-Svirsky Monastery. Fine examples of Moscow architecture of the 15th-17th centuries are worth seeing here. The interiors of the buildings of the monastery are decorated with ancient frescoes. Among the shrines kept here is a consecrated copy of the famous Shroud of Turin.

An interesting walk can be made in the historical center of the city of Sortavala, located on the northern shore of Lake Ladoga. Stone and wooden buildings of the century before last have been preserved here. In this region there are more than 60 monuments of historical and cultural heritage indigenous people of Karelia. Ancient settlements and necropolises date back to the 6th millennium BC. e.

The ruins of the Novgorod fortress can be seen in the ancient city of Staraya Ladoga. Fragments of walls made of river boulders on strong lime mortar have been preserved here. They can be seen near the church of St. George.

A kilometer from the village of Kokkorevo, the Broken Ring monument dedicated to the Road of Life was erected.

The nature reserves of Lake Ladoga are also beckoning. Picturesque Ruskeala waterfalls foam in the mountain park near the village of Ruskeala. Key episodes of the touching film The Dawns Here Are Quiet (1972) were filmed here. The waterfalls are equipped with gazebos, there is a parking lot. You can buy souvenirs and smoked fish in the shop.

Beaches

The beaches are concentrated on the southern coast of Lake Ladoga. It is not deep here, the water is quite warm in summer, but the bottom is almost everywhere silty, although there are rocky and sandy areas. In other parts of the coastal reservoir, it is much deeper, the water warms up unimportantly over a short summer, and besides, it is cooled by ice bottom springs. Rivers carry a lot of silt and peat into the lake, and therefore the water in Ladoga is muddy. It will not be possible to dive with a mask and watch the underwater inhabitants - visibility under water is almost zero.

One of the most popular beaches you will find in the village of Kokkorevo. During the swimming season it is crowded, although there are no signs of service on the beach. There are no sun loungers, no changing cabins here, not to mention toilets. A bus runs from the Vaganovo railway station to the Torn Ring memorial, but it does not stop at Kokkorevo. You will have to walk to the beach for about half an hour. Vacationers come here by car, but there is no parking on the beach, cars are drawn in a long line along a narrow dirt forest road. Those who decide to swim here during the day have to put the car "in the tail" and go to the beach on foot for a kilometer and a half.

The ideal option is to come to Kokkorevo by bike. In this case, you can go further along the coast, find a secluded beach in the thickets of reeds, where it will be pleasant to swim and have a picnic. Just don't forget to take your rubbish away with you - environmentalists complain that during floods, plastic bottles and bags from spontaneous dumps are carried even into nature reserves.

The town of Osinovets also has a fairly large beach. A noticeable landmark will lead to it - the high tower of the lighthouse, painted in red and white stripes. Near the beach there is a cafe overlooking the lake. Snacks, hot dishes, drinks are offered.

Behind Osinovets is the village of Lake Ladoga. Here, at the foot of low hills covered with pine trees, you will find a sandy beach, rare for these parts. A hundred meters away is a pretty railway station, built in the form of a pointed Finnish house. Nearby is an old steam locomotive. It is better to come to this beach on weekdays, on weekends it is crowded.

Tourists praise the sandy beach on the lake cape near the village named after Morozov. From the railway station, you can walk to it in half an hour. The beach is clean, equipped with changing rooms, there is a toilet. But even here you need to take bedding, sandwiches, drinking water and other supplies with you.

The sandy beaches of the eastern shore of Lake Ladoga are very picturesque, but they are not suitable for swimming, the water here is too cold even at the height of summer.

Leisure

The Ladoga region provides a lot of opportunities for sports and outdoor activities - from river rafting to mountain climbing. Popular in the area hiking on mushroom and berry places. In winter, ski runs are laid along the coast, and skating rinks are arranged on the ice. But the most massive hobby of travelers on Lake Ladoga is fishing, and you can successfully fish here at any time of the year.

The most fishy places of Ladoga are in the southern part of the lake. It is not deep here, in warm water there is enough vegetable food for fish. Fishermen boast of notable catches. Among the trophies are large pike perches, burbots, catfish, and once a pike weighing half a centner was caught near Sortavala.

From December to early April, the time for winter fishing and seasonal entertainment reigns on Lake Ladoga. At first, lake water freezes only in shallow coastal waters. Here, already in the first ten days of December, fishermen begin to drill holes in the ice for mormyshkas, and tourists ride on the surface of Ladoga on skates and snowmobiles. However locals they warn that it is still dangerous to approach closer to deep water in the center of the lake at this time. There, jets of bottom sources rise to the surface, storm winds rage over the water, and therefore a sufficiently strong ice cover is formed only in mid-January, when Karelian frosts hit. The cold does not frighten extreme fishermen and lovers of winter sports, because cozy camp sites with warm log cabins and hot Finnish baths await them on the shores.

Coastal ice becomes fragile and by the middle of spring, the surface of the lake finally thaws only in May.

For more than 20 years, the Ladoga-Trophy international rally has been held along the coast of the lake. In the competitions, which usually take place in June, everyone can take part, you just need to register. Athletes on standard and specially prepared off-road vehicles, quad bikes go to the ring track 1200 km long, planned around Lake Ladoga. Motorcyclists compete in other categories, and since 2016, cyclists have also taken part in the race. The start and finish of the competition is on St. Isaac's Square in St. Petersburg.

Experienced scuba divers can join the exciting project "Secrets of sunken ships". During the annual underwater expeditions, divers add to the list of objects found at the bottom of Lake Ladoga. Among them are old ships, aircraft from the Second World War.

What to buy

Residents of the Ladoga villages skillfully cook smoked fish. Smoked salmon is especially tasty, but these weighty fish are sold only as a whole at an average cost of 600 rubles / kg, so the price of a smoky hotel can reach up to 6,000 rubles. Local markets sell home-made preserves - salted and pickled mushrooms, dried fish. Here you can also buy wonderful lingonberry jam.

Popular souvenirs are crafts of Karelian artisans made of wood and stone, embroidery. Healing "Karelian balsam" and bags with collections of local medicinal herbs are in demand.

Where to stay

On the shores of Lake Ladoga, travelers can expect modern recreation centers, cozy hunting lodges, inexpensive hostels, camp sites, and cheap guest houses.

Within the Leningrad region, you can inexpensively stay at the Ladoga Lake tourist center

Nearby is the recreation center "Krenitsy". There is a restaurant and guarded parking. Rooms are equipped with kitchenettes. Accommodation will cost from 2400 rubles, breakfast is included in the price.

In Priozersk, the Uyut Hotel, designed for budget tourists, is popular. Food will be prepared in the shared kitchen. For a room you will need to pay from 1575 rubles.

In the Karelian city of Salmi, you can stay at Mantiasaari Cottages. Guests have at their disposal a two-storey log house with two or three bedrooms, a living room, an equipped kitchen and a private sauna. Fishing trips are offered, and snowmobile safaris in winter. The cost of living is from 1836 to 3475 rubles per day.

Comfortable luxury hotel complexes have also been built in the vicinity of Lake Ladoga. One of them is "Ladoga Estate", which is in the Karelian city of Niemelyanhovi, standing on the shores of the Ladoga Bay of the same name. It offers warm cottages and townhouses, the interiors are made in the style of northern modern. The complex has pleasure boats, moorings, a helipad. There are two restaurants, a lobby bar, a bath complex, a spa, billiards, slot machines, a bowling alley. An excursion program is offered, trips to the Ladoga skerries and islands, rental of boats and equipment for fishing and water sports is available. With the onset of cold weather, winter entertainment is organized for guests. Accommodation in the "Ladoga Estate" will cost from 21,800 rubles per day. Breakfast (buffet) is included in the payment.

How to get there

From the cities of Russia to the north-eastern shores of Lake Ladoga, it is most convenient to get through Petrozavodsk. The southwestern lakeside regions are accessible by transport coming from St. Petersburg. Buses regularly depart from St. Petersburg to Sortavala, Novaya Ladoga and Priozersk. Large camp sites and holiday homes send their own transport for guests. Travelers usually get to remote corners by their own cars. For such trips, an SUV is ideal.

During the summer navigation period, pleasure boats and Meteors depart daily from the pier in Priozersk to Valaam Island. In others settlements for a walk on Lake Ladoga and visiting the islands, you can hire a private boat.

Wealthy travelers can choose a multi-day boat cruise from St. Petersburg or Moscow. The cost of such a tour is from 8,000 rubles, the trip program includes a visit to the picturesque protected islands.

Lake Ladoga (has the second name Ladoga, formerly referred to as Nevo) is considered the largest freshwater reservoir in Russia. Ladoga in its popularity is only slightly inferior to Baikal, known throughout the world. Hundreds of tourists come to its coast every year to enjoy the wonderful views and capture the beauty of these places in memory.

In this article, you will learn the main features of this reservoir - where it is located, what characteristics it has, what surrounds the lake, what flora and fauna it has, what it is like in winter and summer periods.

Lake Ladoga belongs to two territories - the eastern and northern shores are located in the Republic of Karelia, and the southern and western ones please the residents of the Leningrad Region. The lake belongs to the pools Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea.

Characteristics

lake area

If we take the total area of ​​Ladoga, then we get an impressive figure - 17,870 km², and if we also take into account the islands, then 18,320 km² comes out. The volume of water in the lake is 838 km³. The maximum recorded width is 125 kilometers, and the total coastal length is as much as 1570 kilometers.

The height above sea level is small - only 4.8 meters, but the depth is tens more. It is impossible to accurately measure the depth throughout the lake, it is uneven - in the northern part the spread in numbers is from 70 to 220 meters, in the southern part - from 19 to 70 meters. But it was possible to measure the greatest depth, in Lake Ladoga it is 230 meters.

Water temperature

Like the entire Leningrad region, Lake Ladoga is in a cold and rainy haze all year round. The average water temperature in the warm periods of the year is about +19. In autumn it drops to +10 degrees, and in winter frosts it drops to -3 degrees. In August, if the year turned out to be successful, you can catch a temperature of +24 degrees on the surface of the lake, but closer to the bottom it will be only +17 degrees. At a depth of more than 200 meters, the water temperature is almost always +3, +4.

Nature of Ladoga

The northern and eastern coast (Karelia) belongs to the middle taiga zone, and part of the lake in the Leningrad region belongs to the southern taiga subzone. The northern subzone is characterized by the appearance of mosses and shrubs (mainly blueberries, blueberries), an abundance of spruce forests; dark coniferous forests are characteristic of the southern part, linden and maple are sometimes found, but the moss cover is less developed.

In Ladoga, scientists count more than 110 species of aquatic plants. There are more than 76 subspecies of blue-green algae alone, and there are also green algae and diatoms. Along with the lush underwater world, planktonic animals have also found shelter. The lake is home to cladocerans, copepods, rotifers, daphnia, cyclops, water mites, a wide variety of worms, mollusks and other crustaceans.

The waters of Ladoga are rich not only in ticks but in unicellular organisms, more than 50 species of fish are found here. For example, Ladoga slingshot, trout, whitefish, salmon, bream, smelt, rudd, zander, catfish, cheese, asp, palia, roach, perch, pike, sturgeon, silver bream, burbot and many others. The region of the lake richest in seafood is the shallow southern zone, where the depth is only 20 meters. But in the northern deep-water area, the catch will be less diverse.

In addition to fish, this reservoir can also show tourists more than 200 species of birds. The most attractive place for birds to live is the southern zone, however, many birds can be seen in Karelia. On the territory of Lake Ladoga there are: gulls, river ducks, geese, swans, cranes and shorebirds, eagle owls, grebes, short-eared owls, ospreys, red-footed falcons, herbalists, golden plovers and even white-tailed eagles.

Lake Ladoga has become a habitat for the world's only representative of pinnipeds - the Ladoga ringed seal (a special subspecies of the ringed seal). In total, there are about 4000 of them in the world, therefore these animals are listed in the Red Book and are strictly protected by law.

Cities

The following cities are located on the shores of the lake itself: Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Sortavala, Shlisselburg, Pitkyaranta and Lahdenpokhya. The largest of them are Priozersk and Novaya Ladoga, although the number of people there does not exceed 50 thousand.

Larger cities are located near Lake Ladoga, for example, St. Petersburg. From the northern capital of Russia, you can get to Lake Ladoga in various ways, ranging from public transport(trains, buses, trains, ferries) and ending with travel by car. At the same time, the travel time will be no more than three hours, and if you use the car and lay the right route on the map, you can manage it in one and a half.

From the northern part, the nearest city to Ladoga is Petrozavodsk. You can also get there by car or public transport. However, the road will have to spend a little more than 4 hours.

Climate and seasons of Lake Ladoga

It is no secret for avid tourists that in the autumn and winter months Ladoga looks extremely inhospitable. Even in Karelia, where there are picturesque cliffs and wild flowers making their way among thick grass, Lake Ladoga is inhospitable.

During cold periods, the Arctic anticyclone acts on the lake, which brings strong gusts of wind, storms, prolonged rains and sub-zero air temperatures. In October, the storm season begins, it becomes damp and wet, and frequent fog appears on the lake. The only outlet for lovers of autumn holidays is September, this month Ladoga is more or less ready to share its beauties - heavy rains do not come often, the water surface is calm and clean, the air retains a piece of summer.

In summer, the reservoir kindly welcomes guests with a southern anticyclone, delighting with picturesque places and clear water. Only seasoned people can swim here, but everyone will be able to enjoy the beauties. The average air temperature in July and August exceeds +20 degrees, so tourists will definitely be able to capture the sun glare playing on the surface of Ladoga.

Ladoga lake is the largest freshwater lake on the European continent. For Russia, this lake is of great industrial, ecological and historical significance. Another version of the name - Ladoga.

If you look at the map, you can see that the shores of Lake Ladoga belong to two Russian regions: the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad Region. That is, located in the European part of the country.
On the north side Ladoga the shores are high, rocky, their relief is quite indented, which explains the presence of a large number of peninsulas, bays, and small islands. From the south of Ladoga, the lake is surrounded by low, gently sloping, more even shores. The largest bays are also located here: Volkhovskaya, Svirskaya, Shlisselburgskaya bays. The eastern coast is also not very indented, there are sandy beaches here. In the west, the coastline is almost flat. Mixed forests, bushes grow here, near the water on land there are many large stones, which also cover the bottom under water for a rather long distance.
Bring their waters into Ladoga lake 35 rivers, and only one flows out. The largest river that brings water is the Svir. What river flows out of Lake Ladoga? This is the famous Neva, on which stands the second most important city of the Russian Federation - St. Petersburg. Some rivers bring water into Ladoga from other lakes, such as Onega or Ilmen.
There are a large number of islands on the lake - at least five hundred. The largest islands Ladoga together they form the Valaam archipelago. The largest single island is Riekkalansari. Also a large island is Konevets, where a famous monastery was built, just like on Valaam.

Dimensions, lengths and depth of Ladoga

The depth of Lake Ladoga is uneven throughout its territory - it increases from south to north. The maximum depth of Lake Ladoga is 233 m. The average figure is much lower - 50 m. In the north of Lake Ladoga, its depth varies from 70 to 230 m, and in the south - from 20 to 70.
The area of ​​Ladoga is 17.87 thousand square meters. km. The volume of water in Lake Ladoga is 838 cubic meters. km. The length from north to south of the lake is 219 km, at its widest point Ladoga stretches for 125 km.

Climatic features of the area

Lake Ladoga has a generally temperate climate. In the geographical area where Lake Ladoga is located, not so much sunlight penetrates during the year. Therefore, the evaporation of water from Ladoga is rather slow. Most of the days of the year it is cloudy and overcast.
Between the end of May and the middle of July, Lake Ladoga you can observe the famous phenomenon of "white nights", when at night the sun practically does not set below the horizon.
Throughout the year, western and southwestern winds blow on Ladoga. In winter, Lake Ladoga freezes until the end of spring, but is completely covered with ice only in the coldest winters. Such a long glaciation affects the water temperature throughout the rest of the year. The average water temperature here is low: at a depth it stays at 4 ° C, and on the surface Lake Ladoga depending on the time of year and site, it can be in the range from 2 ° C to 24 ° C. The water is not as clear as on Baikal, but this may be due to the fact that many species of algae, small plankton live in it, and constant storms disturb its surface, whipping up foam.

History of Lake Ladoga

Lake Ladoga was formed as a result of the melting of glaciers and over the course of several thousand years its outlines were formed and changed.
Until the 13th century, the lake was called Nevo, which, apparently, was directly related to the name of the Neva River. Then it was named Lake Ladoga, taking over the name from the city of Ladoga located here. Many objects in this area have names originating from the Karelian language. But the most likely explanation for the name "Ladoga" is Finnish versions - from the ancient words for water or the concept of "lower", which are consonant with Ladoga. The name Nevo also has Finnish roots and can mean "swamp". It is possible that in those days the lake gave a reason to call itself that way, in this area there are many traces of swamps.
On Lake Ladoga, starting from the 9th century, from Scandinavia, across Europe to the country of Byzantium, the water part of the route “From the Varangians to the Greeks” passed. In the 8th century, the city of Ladoga was built here, and soon other cities and fortresses began to appear here. At the end of the 14th century, the famous Valaam Monastery was founded on the islands of the same name. Until now, its buildings are the pearl of wooden architecture.
For many years there was a war with the Swedish state for part of the land lying on the lake. Nevertheless, Peter I managed to achieve that Ladoga became Russian. In 1721, according to an agreement with the Swedes concluded after the war, the coast of Lake Ladoga was completely ceded to Russia.
To make navigation on Ladoga more accessible, a canal was built here.
During the difficult war years from 1939 to 1944. the Ladoga flotilla was based in Lake Ladoga, fighting in its waters. In 1941–1944 more than half of the coast of Lake Ladoga was occupied by enemy troops. From September 1941 to March 1943, the “Road of Life” passed along the ice of Ladoga - the only way along which it was possible to deliver provisions and necessary things to besieged Leningrad. The evacuation of people was also organized through it, in total, about 1.3 million people took advantage of the evacuation.
Thus, Ladoga is a lake that has a special significance for Russian history.

Ecology of Lake Ladoga

Basically, the waters of Ladoga are very clean, but there are problem areas. This is largely due to the development of industrial zones near Lake Ladoga as well as the aftermath of World War II. During the war, radioactive weapons were tested in this area and on some islands. Including studied the reaction of animals to the consequences of its use. In addition, a lot of sunken military ships, aircraft with ammunition create an unfavorable radiation background.
The number of contaminated sites is on the rise. Approximately 600 industrial enterprises operate on the banks of Ladoga, which pollute the air, dump production waste into the Ladoga River and others, which then bring them into the lake. By the way, the correct answer to the question - Ladoga - is it a river or a lake, that it is both. There is a river, and also a city with that name. At the same time, historians claim that at first the river got its name, then the city, and only after that Lake Nevo was renamed.
Pollution of Lake Ladoga today is considered to be at a moderate level. In some places, there is an excess of radiation standards - where supplies were previously tested, as well as those closest to nuclear and other industrial enterprises.

Nature and fauna of Lake Ladoga

The nature of Lake Ladoga is very beautiful, this place is very famous among tourists, travelers as a place for recreation and hiking. Majestic rocks, mountains, pine forests - all this creates a unique image of this place. Rare plants and animals are found in various reserves of Ladoga. Despite the difficult climate, even some southern plant species grow here, and in the north - typical representatives of the tundra (saxifrage). Forests on Lake Ladoga are not only coniferous, but also broad-leaved - with maples, elms.
Fauna Lake Ladoga includes representatives of the taiga: foxes, wolves, hares, bears, etc. There is also an original animal, which is found only here - the Ladoga seal. The animal, which is more characteristic of the seas, feels great in the fresh water of Ladoga.
Approximately 50 species of fish live in Lake Ladoga. The most popular among fishermen and industrialists can be called smelt, pike perch.

Rest on Lake Ladoga

Around Lake Ladoga you can find places for recreation for every taste and for any purpose: recreational, hiking, entertaining. Fishing enthusiasts can often be found here. Everything you need for such activities is located at the recreation centers, including almost every one of them has instructors who will teach you the intricacies of this or that type of pastime.
People like to go diving here because of the large number of finds that can be found at the bottom and simply beautiful underwater views. You can also choose to relax on the beach when the weather permits.
Excursions are also organized to the natural and historical sights of Ladoga, for example, structures left after the war, old fortresses or mountain peaks.

Attractions on Lake Ladoga

It is worth talking about the sights of Lake Ladoga separately. Here is, for example, an interesting Nizhnesvirsky Reserve with beautiful views of almost untouched nature. It is home to a huge number of bird species and many animals.
Valaam Island on Ladoga with the monastery of the same name is of historical, cultural and architectural value. Not to mention the fact that pilgrims come here from all over Russia and beyond.
The memorial complex dedicated to the Road of Life tells the story of the heroic feat of people who made trips on the ice of Lake Ladoga in the most dangerous conditions, risking falling through the ice or being fired upon by the enemy. Nevertheless, they went for it in order to save the lives of the inhabitants of the city, who survived the terrible blockade.
Also of historical and cultural interest on Lake Ladoga are the cities of Shlisselburg founded by Peter I, with the fortress Oreshek, Novaya Ladoga.

Lake Ladoga in works of art

Ladoga is a lake, which is reflected in folk legends and examples of folk art of various peoples who lived here. Basically, these are Karelian and Russian epics.
The famous Karelian folk composition "Kalevala", which was once passed from mouth to mouth, describes the events that took place in the north of Lake Ladoga.
Constantine Roerich in his youth made an expedition along the rivers flowing into Lake Ladoga and to the lake itself. Since 1916, he lived in this area for two years, created several paintings, sketches, poems and fairy tales here.
Thanks to its amazing nature Lake Ladoga inspired, first of all, painters who admired the local colors and landscapes. Many painted the Valaam Monastery, as its buildings looked especially impressive and mysterious against the backdrop of majestic nature. The lake with the sonorous name Ladoga also evoked fairy tales. Here worked such masters of painting as F. A. Vasiliev, A. I. Kuindzhi, N. K. Roerich, I. I. Shishkin.

industry on the lake

The lake is used for the passage of ships, whose routes along it are segments of the Volga-Baltic route and the White Sea-Baltic Canal. The weather on the lake is very changeable and ships are often threatened by storms, high waves, so navigation is periodically suspended. Once upon a time, there was even a common expression that if a sailor did not sail on Ladoga, then he was not yet a real sailor. Such a phenomenon as complete calm is quite rare on this lake.
Various industrial cargoes and building materials are transported along Lake Ladoga. There are also passenger ships and cruise ships, for the most part these are tourist routes.
On an industrial scale, about 10 species of fish are caught here, such as smelt, pike perch, and whitefish. Not far from the lake there are industrial enterprises: a paper and pulp plant, aluminum, oil and chemical industries, and so on.

Secrets and secrets that the bottom of Lake Ladoga keeps

At the bottom of the lake there are many interesting researchers and lovers of various mysteries and secrets of things. Of course, the greatest success is considered to find something very ancient, dating back to the Vikings. But most often find artifacts that have remained since the Second World War. They are better preserved and easier to find. For example, the sights of that time that attracted extreme tourists and divers include the so-called "Death Bay", the bottom of which is practically covered with shell casings, since a fierce battle took place here in 1941.
Amateur divers find sunken ships, wartime planes. Unlike sea water, fresh water does not destroy and spoil sunken things so much, which is why the finds of Lake Ladoga are so attractive.

Lake Ladoga - the largest freshwater lake in Europe - is located in the north-west of Russia, in a harsh region with majestic nature and rich history. It was here that Russian statehood was born, the first Russian cities appeared.

The history of the lake, the unique and rich nature - all this makes Lake Ladoga a valuable cultural object and a beautiful corner of Russia.

Origin of the lake

The lake was formed by the melting of the glacier, and this process lasted several millennia. Several times the giant lake either merged with the waters of the ancient ocean, or again found itself surrounded by firmament. Finally, about three thousand years ago, a pond pressed by the banks broke through to Baltic Sea the Neva river.

The gradual formation of the lake was reflected in the unique bottom topography: if in the northern part of the lake the depth reaches 230 m, then in the “shallow” southern part it is 20-70 m. The difference in landscape is also explained by the fact that the reservoir belongs to different natural zones. The Karelian (northern) coast lies on the Baltic crystalline shield, it is steep and rocky. The southern coast, located in the Leningrad region, consists of sedimentary rocks. The coast gently goes under water, forming sandy shoals and beaches.

Lake Ladoga on the map looks like the footprint of some giant beast. The length of the reservoir from north to south is 219 km, and from west to east - 138 km. The huge area of ​​​​the lake - over 18,000 square meters. km - holds about 900 cubic meters. km of water. More than 40 rivers and streams fill it with their waters, and only one - the full-flowing Neva - flows out. Some rivers connect Lake Ladoga with other lakes - with Onega, Ilmen, Saimaa.

There are many islands on the lake - more than 660. In the north of the lake there are the famous Ladoga skerries - a magnificent necklace of a series of rocky islands separated by narrow straits. The main diamond of this stunning natural phenomenon of unique beauty is the holy island of Valaam with the famous Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.

History of the lake

Lake Ladoga occupies a special place in the history of our country. The name of the reservoir comes from the name of the ancient Russian city of Ladoga, but there is another version: on the contrary, the city is named after the lake. Until the 13th century, the lake was called "great lake Nebo". In Finnish, the word "nevo" means: "swamp", "quagmire".

Fateful events that are reflected in culture and history are associated with Lake Ladoga:

• the famous route from the Varangians to the Greeks passed through Ladoga;
• in the 14th century, Oreshek, the oldest Russian fortress, was built at the source of the Neva;
• at the end of the XIV century, the largest Orthodox monasteries were built on the islands - Valaam and Konevsky, famous for their missionary activities;
• Novgorodians kept a navy here;
• battles of the Northern War of 1701-1721 took place on the lake and its shores;
• Road of life during the Second World War.

Since 1721, the coast of Lake Ladoga has become completely Russian. Even then, Peter I appreciated the harsh nature of the lake, its deceit: a complete calm in a few tens of minutes can be replaced by a real storm, and the waves rise to a height of 4-5 meters. Such inconstancy of the lake made the Russian emperor say the famous words that only one who walked along Ladoga can be considered a real sailor.

The road of life

There are tragic pages in the history of the lake that cause tears of joy and grief at the same time - this is a heroic chronicle of saving hundreds of thousands of human lives from besieged Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War.

The road of life through Lake Ladoga connected the dying city with the country and saved it from destruction. In the period from September 1941 to March 1944, 1,600 thousand tons of various cargoes were transported through the water and ice of the lake and more than 1,300 thousand people were evacuated.

In winter, goods and people were transported on the famous "lorries" - GAZ-AA. With the melting of the ice, navigation on the water began. In addition to 15 barges, metal vessels, which were built in Leningrad, took part in the navigation.

The road of life passed near the front line and needed protection. It was defended by anti-aircraft artillery divisions and fighter regiments, but thin ice and bombing destroyed about a thousand trucks.

In memory of the feat of the Soviet people on the Road of Life, 7 monuments, 112 commemorative pillars along the highway and railway were erected on the territory from Leningrad to Ladoga. The most famous of the monuments is the "Broken Ring" by architect V. G. Filippov.

Why you should visit Lake Ladoga

Ladoga is one of the many water bodies in our country, a visit to which will bring great pleasure. From year to year, in any season, thousands of fishermen, pilgrims and just vacationers flock to the shores of the lake. Each of them has their own interests, but the stunning beauty of the water surface, bizarre islands, majestic shores and, of course, the harsh nature of the lake leave no one indifferent. You need to make friends with him, and then the relationship with the lake will last for many years, bringing a lot of impressions.

So why is it worth visiting the shores of a wonderful lake? Here are the main reasons:

1. . More than 50 species of fish live in the lake, the most famous of which are salmon, whitefish, Ladoga smelt, pike perch. You can fish at any time of the year with consistently great results.
2. Rich flora and fauna. The nature of Lake Ladoga is unique and diverse: here you can find southern plant species and tundra flora; hares, wolves, bears, elk and other species of animals live in the forests, and the Ladoga seal lives in the north of the lake.
3. Diving. Thanks to fresh and clean water, its low temperature, the artifacts of bygone times lying at the bottom are perfectly preserved and are of scientific and research interest.
4. Curious natural phenomena: mirages, brontides (underground rumble).
5. Visiting holy places.
6. Developed tourist infrastructure.
7. Rest on sandy beaches.
8. Complete absence of mosquitoes.

Lake Ladoga - mysterious, majestic and beautiful, will always attract thousands of tourists seeking to join its harsh beauty. The wealth of waters and shores, the bizarre landscape and the history of the lake stagger the imagination and fill hearts with love for Russia, its nature and culture.