Natural parks of Russia: list, description and interesting facts. The most beautiful national parks in the world National parks examples
Protected areas have existed in Russia since ancient times. Even primitive people noticed how quickly hunting grounds were becoming poorer and depleted. The first “events” to protect nature were of a religious nature. There were “holy places”, “protected forests”, “forbidden places”.
Various animals were endowed with supernatural, mysterious traits: bears, beavers and many others. That is why, for a long time, the most beautiful areas of nature, individual animals and plants have come under special protection.
State nature reserves, including biosphere - areas of territory completely withdrawn from their normal economic use, in which people stop all their interference in natural processes in order to compare the latter with developed lands. Nature reserves are considered as research institutions performing scientific conservation and cultural and educational functions.
They are used as a background reserve-reference object in the study of biosphere processes. There are about 90 nature reserves in Russia, including 16 biosphere reserves.
Natural national parks— vast territories where regulated tourism and recreation of people are provided, and environmental knowledge is promoted. National parks also have areas for economic use.
Natural parks- territories of particular aesthetic and environmental value, with a relatively mild protection regime and used primarily for organized holiday population.
Wildlife sanctuaries - territories created for a specified period (in some cases permanently) for conservation or restoration natural complexes or their components.
Natural monuments- unique, non-reproducible natural objects that have scientific, environmental, cultural and aesthetic value (caves, ancient trees, rocks, waterfalls, etc.). Any activity that violates their safety is prohibited in these territories.
Dendrological parks and botanical gardens — environmental institutions whose task is to create collections of trees and shrubs in order to preserve biological diversity and enrich flora, as well as for scientific, educational, cultural and educational purposes. Work is also underway to introduce and acclimatize plants new to the region.
Natural reserves of Russia
In Russia, at the beginning of 2006, there were 101 state nature reserves with a total area of about 340,000 km2. Nature reserves are located in all natural zones - from the Arctic deserts on Wrangel Island to the subtropics ( Caucasian Reserve) in 70 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The largest of them is the Great Arctic State Nature Reserve (area equal to 4 million 169.2 hectares; it is the largest in Eurasia), and the smallest is Galichya Mountain in the Lipetsk region (231 hectares; it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest in the world). Before 1916, only local hunting reserves and private reserves existed in our country. Barguzinsky is considered the first official state reserve in Russia. It was established by a decree of the Irkutsk Governor-General in 1916, and in 1917 its creation was formalized by a government decree. However, according to some sources, it is believed that the Sayan Nature Reserve was opened somewhat earlier than Barguzinsky, although at that time it was not officially registered. The youngest reserve today is the Kologrivsky Forest, created in 2006.
Pechora-Ilychsky Reserve
Pechora-Ilychsky Reserve located on the western slopes of the Northern Urals in the taiga zone. The reserve was established in 1930 to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the Urals. About 40 species of mammals live here: elk, reindeer, wolf, wolverine, beaver, sable, marten; 200 species of birds. The rivers contain valuable species of fish - salmon, whitefish, grayling, taimen. In 1984, the Pechora-Ilychsky Nature Reserve was awarded biosphere status.
Kronotsky Reserve
Kronotsky State Reserve was established in 1934 to restore the number of Kamchatka sable. Since 1967, it has existed as a biosphere reserve and includes unique objects of Kamchatka nature: the Valley of Geysers, the Uzon caldera, Kronotskoye Lake, nine active volcanoes, and a grove of graceful fir. Thus, the territory of the reserve covers the main landscapes of Kamchatka - the ocean coast, tundra, taiga, mountains, volcanoes.
Here you can find geysers, thermal springs, different in temperature and mineral composition; hydrothermal springs with temperatures above +100 °C; warm and cold carbon dioxide mineral springs. Their occurrence is associated with earthquakes and. There are about 160 volcanoes in Kamchatka, 29 of them are active.
Cedar Pad
Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve was formed in 1916 on the coast of the Amur Bay to protect the natural resources of the Ussuri taiga. Korean cedar, reaching a height of 40 m and more than 1 m in diameter, velvet, walnut, ash, linden, oak, and ginseng grow here. The main object of protection of the reserve is the Ussuri tiger.
Other reserves in Russia
There are several nature reserves in the tundra, one of which is Kandalaksha. It was opened in 1932 on the coast Kola Peninsula. Wild reindeer, as well as various species of birds, are protected here.
In 1996, the first tundra ornithological reserve was created on Wrangel Island, where birds are studied and protected. The main object of observation in the reserve is polar geese, which nest in these parts.
In the Siberian taiga, the first natural park was created in 1995. It is called "Kondinskie Lakes" Picturesque ponds, pine forest, abundance of mushrooms and berries, great places Tourists and vacationers are attracted here for hunting and fishing.
Animal world These places are surprisingly diverse: river beaver, sable, otter, wolverine, fox, reindeer, muskrat. Birds: wood grouse, black grouse, partridge, gray crane, white-tailed eagle, whooper swan.
National parks of Russia
In 1987, there were 156 nature reserves and 17 national parks. Now the number of the latter has increased significantly. There are currently 34 of them.
The national parks include the most picturesque and naturally valuable territories (Valdai, Samara Luka, Meshchera, Curonian Spit, Elbrus, Baikal, etc.), many of them have received international recognition and are included in the World Heritage List.
Every year, national parks attract more and more travelers not only from Russia, but also from abroad. Visitors to the national park are offered interesting excursions along hiking and horseback riding routes, fishing trips, photo hunting, skiing and snowmobiling, and much more.
On the territory of the former USSR the first national park appeared in the Estonian SSR on the coast of the Gulf of Finland in 1971 - this is Lahemaa(Est. - land of the bay). The first to be discovered on Russian territory was Sochi National Park - May 5, 1983 The youngest national park in Russia today is the “Russian Arctic”, spread over the territory Arkhangelsk region. It was opened on June 15, 2009. The possibility of creating a national park "Mologa" in the Yaroslavl region is being considered.
There are now 40 national parks in Russia, the territories of which cover almost all natural areas: from the taiga to the mountain peaks of the Caucasus, from the Baltic Sea to the mountainous regions of southern Transbaikalia. The largest in area - National Park "Udege Legend"", located in the Primorsky Territory. Its area is 88,600 km2. The smallest is the Curonian Spit, which occupies the territory not only of Russia Kaliningrad region, but also Lithuania.
Let's talk about some national parks middle zone Russia.
Smolensk Lake District
National Park "Smolensk Lakeland" created in 1992 in unique corner Central Russian nature. It is located in the north-west of the Smolensk region. This is the land of lakes. The park's water system is complemented by 16 rivers, mineral springs, and high-moor sphagnum bogs.
The watershed of the Baltic and Black Seas passes through the park. The terrain bears traces of the ancient Valdai glaciation. All the lakes, and there are 35 of them here, are of glacial origin. Each one is unique in its own way. For example, Lake Chistik has amazingly clear water, Mutnoye has healing mud, and Baklanovskoye is the deepest. And Lake Sapsho is famous for the fact that on its shore there is a museum-estate of the famous Russian traveler Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky.
There is fish in the park's lakes. There are many birds and animals in the forests. You can meet a bear, elk, wild boar, and roe deer. Hunting them is, of course, prohibited. You can only watch and photograph them.
Oryol Polesie
National Park "Oryol Polesie" located at the junction of forest and forest-steppe zones. The park's topography is an undulating plain composed of fluvio-glacial sands and loams. There are sand dunes up to 10 m high. The territory is dissected by a dense network of river valleys and gullies. There are two lakes here, several dozen artificial reservoirs. The park is home to the gray crane, muskrat, badger, beaver, lynx and even the dark European forest bee.
Ugra National Park
Ugra National Park in the Kaluga region was opened to tourists on July 1, 1997. It is located in the picturesque valleys of the Ugra and Zhizdra rivers, as well as on the left bank of the Oka. The length of the park from north to south is 130 km, and from west to east - 80 km, which provides a sufficient variety of natural landscapes. The content of the national park is historical and natural. There are 21 natural monuments, more than 30 architectural monuments, famous spiritual centers, and about 100 archaeological sites.
The Ugra River in the national park flows through sparsely populated, wooded areas. Its steep banks are surrounded by green pine forests. The water is so clean that it contains plants that are indicators of water purity: white water lily, freshwater sponge - thistle. One of the most mysterious places in the park is the forest tract “Devil's Settlement” with impenetrable forests, deep gloomy ravines, steep cliffs, boulders and caves. Archaeologists have found traces of an ancient human settlement here (Iron Age).
Nechkinsky
National Park "Nechkinsky" was organized in 1997. It is located at the junction of the taiga and coniferous-deciduous forests of the Urals. The territory, stretching for a good hundred kilometers above and below the dam of the Botkin Reservoir, is covered with light pine forests, interspersed in depressions with spruce and birch forests with an admixture of fir, larch, linden and oak.
In forests, lakes and rivers, meadows and swamps, 745 species of plants grow and 114 species of animals live. The territory of the national park contains numerous archaeological, historical and cultural monuments from different eras.
Landscapes and panoramas of the vast water and forest expanses of the park attract painters, photography enthusiasts and tourists.
Nature reserves of Russia
Another form of protected natural areas is nature reserves.
Reserve- a section of territory or water area within which not the entire natural complex is under special protection, as in a reserve, but only its individual elements: vegetation, all or some species of animals, etc.
Unlike a reserve, the lands of a reserve are not confiscated from the land user; only certain types of activities are limited for a certain period of time (plowing, logging, haymaking, hunting, fishing, tourism, etc.).
Currently, there are 69 federal reserves in Russia with a total area of about 170,000 km 2 in 45 constituent entities of the Federation and about 12 thousand regional reserves. Among the first reserves established in 1958, it should be mentioned Tseysky(regional, North Ossetia- Alanya), Priazovsky(federal, Krasnodar region),Khingan-Arkharinsky(federal, Amur region), Voronezh(federal, Voronezh region), Kirzinsky(federal. Novosibirsk region), Tyumen(federal, Tyumen region), Yaroslavsky(federal, Yaroslavl region).
For residents of America and Europe, relaxation and travel to national parks have long become one of the most popular tourist destinations. In Russia, despite the huge number of unique natural places, tourists do not always clearly understand how outdoor recreation differs from ecotourism.
Moreover, for many Russians it is unusual to take part in excursions to national parks - the natural treasures of our fatherland. So, let's look at why this type of tourism is attractive, and what national parks you can visit in Russia today.
National parks in Russia are a fairly young phenomenon. The history of the creation of national parks goes back a little less than 30 years. The main idea of creating park areas was not only to preserve nature and historical monuments, but also the development of eco-tourism, instilling respect for nature among people.
In such a short time, 35 parks were founded in different parts of the country with different natural conditions. The first national park in Russia is considered Losiny Island, which was founded in 1983 near Moscow. And the most famous national parks in Russia are Shushensky Bor and Sochi Park.
National parks in Russia can be conditionally divided into two types: parks in which wild, untouched pristine nature, unique relief, rare species of animals and plants have been preserved, and parks whose territories were once used by humans, but they have preserved many attractions and natural monuments.
Currently, after decades of the formation of a new modern Russia, the state takes environmental protection very seriously and is creating more and more new nature reserves and national parks, thereby increasing the influx of tourists.
National parks for Russia represent a relatively new form of environmental protection, recreational recreation and cultural heritage preservation. It is worth noting that the process of creating national parks in Russia started in the early 80s of the last century, and today their number has exceeded four dozen. The main share of them is located in the European part, and only 7 are concentrated in Siberia.
If such names as “Alania”, “Pleshcheyevo Lake”, “Elk Island”, “Call of the Tiger”, “Samarskaya Luka”, “Shushensky Bor” and “Russian Arctic” do not mean anything to you, then this does not mean at all that you are an uneducated person. It’s just that until this moment you either preferred the resorts of Egypt and Turkey to the green treasures of Russia, or were accustomed to a traditional holiday on the Russian Black Sea coast.
Access to the territory of national parks, as a rule, is established based on the location of historical, cultural and natural sites. Most national parks have a protected area, which is mainly closed to free access by tourists, as well as an educational tourism area - created to familiarize themselves with the existing attractions of the national park.
In addition, in any national park there is a recreational zone, which is intended for recreation, where guest houses or tourist centers are often located, and there is also the possibility of permitted fishing, household, information and cultural services for tourists.
So, let's imagine that you are interested in the prospect of relaxing on the territory of a domestic national park. In that case, where should you go? Of course, you can use travel portals to choose or use our recommendations. We will review only some of the most popular parks today, but your task is to get the most complete picture of the incredible natural resources of vast Russia.
WE OFFER YOU TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TRIP THROUGH THE NATIONAL PARKS OF RUSSIA
In each country there are special natural complexes that have a special ecological and historical value. Tourists visiting these territories and waters acquire new knowledge in the field of environmental protection. A national park is a state-protected park with unique flora and fauna that is open to the public. Scientific activities are continuously carried out in the parks, and measures are taken to protect Red Book plants and animals. In Russia, national parks began to emerge in the eighties of the last century. Today there are already 54 of them. This article will provide a list of the ten most popular national parks in Russia with a brief description, photo and location on the map of the country.
National Park "Lower Kama" (Tatarstan)
National Park "Nizhnyaya Kama"/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 265.9 km². It includes forest landscapes, lands of economic importance and private property. Most of the territory is covered with forests. Cities such as Nizhnekamsk, Yelabuga and Naberezhnye Chelny are located near the borders of the park.
National Park "Lower Kama" on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
Meadow species also dominate in the Lower Kama. Plants listed in the Red Book, such as large-flowered slipper, dotted saltwort, and pure white water lily, grow on the territory of the park. In addition to conifers and pine forests, there are deciduous trees, birch and aspen. The fauna creates a unique flavor. The traveler will see a hoopoe, an eagle owl, a raccoon dog, a beaver and a muskrat. Tourists prefer such routes as “Shishkinsky Krai”, “Big Bor”, “Forest Lakes” and “Antiquities of the Kama Region”.
Khvalynsky National Park (Saratov region)
Khvalynsky National Park/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 255.2 km². The territory is covered with forests, small lands are occupied by pastures, arable lands and swamps. Millions of years ago, deposits of chalk and other sedimentary rocks were formed in this region. Complex contributed to the development of rare plants.
Khvalynsky National Park on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
The following are listed in the Red Book: chalk hyssop, feather grass, lady's slipper. Valuable trees are pedunculate oak, sycamore maple, and naked elm. The park is home to badger, ferret, buzzard, eagle, lynx, and wolf. Vacationers can choose from the following routes: “Monk’s Cave”, “Along the Bottom of the Ancient Sea”, “Birch Grove”, “In the Kingdom of Birds”, “Barsky Pond”.
National Park "Russian North" (Vologda region)
Russian North National Park/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 1664 km². Most of the land is occupied by forests; the territories also include private lands. Highways pass through the park and there is a gateway system.
National Park "Russian North" on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
The lands lie in . Most of the herbaceous plants belong to rare species: leafless browgrass, lady's slipper, lake grass, palmate root. The park is dominated by conifers and secondary forest trees. The area is home to rare representatives of avifauna, 50 species. Tourists can go to Sokolnichesky Bor, Sandyreva Mountain, and the trail to Mount Maura.
Natural park "Kandry-Kul" (Bashkiria)
Lake Kandrikul/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 51.7 km². The main object of study is the lake of the same name, Kandykul. It is famous for its clear and clean waters. The park includes the Tuneiman, Kazyltau and Gulbika mountains. Utrau Island is covered with water meadows.
Kandy-Kul Nature Park on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
The landscape is a mixture of deciduous forests and steppes. The ground is covered with feather grass, pennyweed and lady's slipper. Gulls, mallards and ducks nest near the lake. There are many recreation centers located in the park’s domain: “Tonus”, “Ivushka”, “Solnechnaya Dolina”.
National Park "Shushensky Bor" (Krasnoyarsk Territory)
National Park "Shushensky Bor"/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 391.8 km². Shushensky Bor is a combination of forest-steppe zones and mountain systems. The northern part is covered with pine forests, there are many lakes and swamps. The southern region is a mountainous area. A special object of protection is the black taiga.
National Park "Shushensky Bor" on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
Visiting this area is impossible without permission from the administration. Endangered plants include vernal adonis, sibirica brunnera, and male shieldweed. The forests are inhabited by hares, lynxes, sables, bears, moose and wild boars. 35 species are listed in the Red Book. Popular routes are “Sayan Contrasts”, “Kingdom of Nature”.
National Park "Elbrus" (Kabardino-Balkaria)
Elbrus National Park/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 1010.2 km². Most of the land is occupied by forests, a quarter of the territory is private property. The pearl of the park is the Caucasus Range. There are hundreds of springs on the territory of the Elbrus region mineral waters, many lakes.
National Park "Elbrus" on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
The strip of coniferous trees gives way to open forests; in the lower reaches there are alpine meadows. A unique animal is the aurochs. Chamois, wild boar, jackal, bear and lynx live here. The park was created for the development of mountaineering. The Polyana Aktau ski resort is very popular. Hiking tourism is also developed.
National Park "Curonian Spit" (Kaliningrad region)
Curonian Spit National Park/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 66.21 km². The Curonian Spit is a sandy coastline of the Baltic Sea. The northern part belongs to Lithuania, the south-east of Russian lands is allocated for a national park.
National Park "Curonian Spit" on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
The nature reserve includes coniferous forests, deciduous forests and bird colonies. Herbaceous plants are practically absent. The peninsula falls under the migratory route of birds; there are 262 species of them. The park is inhabited by, and. The Baltic coastal waters are home to 67 species of fish, including catfish, flounder and Atlantic salmon. Excursions along the Curonian Spit are a popular tourist route in Kaliningrad.
Pribaikalsky National Park (Irkutsk region)
Pribaikalsky National Park/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 4173 km². The purpose of the park is to preserve unique nature Baikal. Along the shores there are cliffs and cliffs, many bays and bays. The landscape is dominated by steppes and coniferous forests. A tenth of the flora is listed in the Red Book. Steppe plants are of particular value.
Pribaikalsky National Park on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
There are many ungulates and predatory animals in the park, and 25 species of fish live in the reservoirs. Some representatives of the rodent order have only recently restored their populations. Peschanaya Bay is a favorite holiday destination; it is planned to develop eco-tourism.
Sochi National Park (Sochi, Krasnodar region)
Sochi National Park/Wikipedia
The area is 1937 km². There are many rivers and streams flowing through the mountainous area. The park has rocks and waterfalls. Only in this area can you see Pitsunda pine and evergreen sequoia. Thanks to the subcontinental climate, the flora is very diverse.
Sochi National Park on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
About two hundred plant species are placed under special protection. Mammals are represented by chamois, wild boars, badgers, hares, roe deer and bears. The Leopard Population Restoration Center is located within the park. Tourists are offered to visit waterfalls, canyons, and caves.
Losiny Ostrov National Park (Moscow and Moscow region)
Losiny Ostrov National Park/Wikipedia
The area of the park is 116 km². The territory borders with a residential area, highways and railways. Forests occupy most of the area, a small proportion goes to swamps.
Losiny Ostrov National Park on the map of Russia/Wikipedia
Losiny Island is located in a zone of deciduous forests. Shaggy spruces coexist with oaks and lindens. The ground near the swamps is covered with mosses. Lungwort, goose onion, sedge, and wintergreen grow in the park. Lots of berry bushes. Moose actually live here; their habitat is in a protected area. Hares, squirrels, etc. also live in the park. Many birds nest here, 9 species are predatory. Vacationers can go to walking tour through different parts of the park, choose a horseback ride or visit the Elk Biological Station.
The real paradises of our planet are national parks, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, protected and preserved by man - this is an integral part of the wealth of the natural world. Striking with their relief beauty, they have a large range of plants and animals living in their characteristic territory. Huge areas with picturesque landscapes are open to tourists and travelers who want to leave in their memory positive emotions and impressions from visiting these amazing places. The most beautiful national parks in the world presented later in the article.
1. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park(Yosemite) is a nature reserve with an area of 3081 km², located in the western Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, USA. The wide and abundant composition of natural attractions, as well as the large number of hiking trails and routes, allow it to be the second most visited park in the country.
Mighty granite cliffs, vast valleys and meadows are combined with fast rivers and blue lakes. Gorgeous waterfalls, dense groves and forests are an ideal find for lovers of natural beauty. The park is home to more than 250 species of vertebrate animals, the most famous of which are the baribal bear, gray fox, black-tailed deer, and red lynx. Among the vegetation in large quantities Coniferous trees predominate: fir, sequoia, and various pine families.
Yosemite Park attracts tourists with its most soulful and fabulous views on winter days, when frozen rivers and waterfalls along with snowy mountain ranges and forests give an unforgettable feeling of delight and tranquility.
In the US state of Arizona, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Since 1979, it has been a center of beauty, peace and scenic grandeur. The asymmetrical forms of the park's exposed ancient rocks provide one of the most striking examples of soil erosion. The area of the Grand Canyon is 4927 km².
The nature of the park is quite diverse, including forests and stone peaks of cliffs, overgrown with small bushes. Lodgepole pine, Utah juniper, and mountain oak are the numerically dominant trees present. The warm, sunny areas of the canyon are home to desert plants such as bananas, yuccas and cacti. Adapted to favorable living conditions, many species of animals have a wide composition characteristic of a given area. The most common mammals found are black-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, beavers, ground squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and bats.
Divided by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is unparalleled for its panoramic views, impressive cliff sizes and unique landscapes. The rocks consist of layers of rocks of different ages, are perfectly preserved and clearly stand out in the walls of the canyon.
3. Banff Park
Canada's first and oldest national park is the Nature Reserve. Banff, having an area of 6641 km² and founded in 1885 in the province of Alberta.
The park is located on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, which with their mighty snowy peaks inspire travelers and tourists from all over the world. Stone cliffs, clean mountain air, waterfalls, dense coniferous forests with crystal-clear lakes Louise, Peita, Bow and Moraine truly beckon with their beauty and grandeur. In some places there are several hot springs with mineral water, used by visitors for preventive and therapeutic procedures.
For wild animals such as bears, wolverines, goats and chipmunks, forest and mountainous areas have become a permanent habitat. The flora is represented mainly by evergreen trees and shrubs.
The town of Banff itself annually welcomes a huge number of outdoor enthusiasts and extreme species sports The Rocky Mountains are literally dotted with trails, slopes and roads for snowboarders, skiers, ATVs, sleds and snowmobiles.
4. Los Glaciares Park
Beautiful in Argentina Los Glaciares National Park known for its eternal glacial blocks and massifs, occupying almost a third of the entire territory. The park has existed since 1937, founded in the province of Santa Cruz and located along the border with Chile and the southern part of the mountain range on the Argentine side.
The picturesque and harsh region of ice covers an area of 4459 km² with complex relief cliffs up to 3.5 km. The name of the park comes from the huge ice cap, which is represented by 47 glaciers sliding from the Andes mountains to the Atlantic coast. Glacial margins usually end in small and large lakes.
The vegetation of Los Glaciares is represented by a variety of herbs, shrubs and trees that have the ability to tolerate fairly low temperatures. The largest population among animals is represented by herbivorous species: llama, Andean deer, guanaco, chinchillas. The main predator here is the mountain puma.
Tourists can visit the park's main features year-round, such as Mount Fitz Roy, Lago Argentino and Viedma lakes, and the great Patagonian Ice Sheet.
5. Goreme Park
Among the ten most beautiful natural reserves in the world is the historical and unique place in the Turkish province of Cappadocia, which covers an area of 300 km² and is famous for its original landscapes with spiky rock formations resembling stone cones. The valleys of Goreme, formed as a result of volcanic eruptions and the influence of natural elements, have amazing and bizarre relief forms. The most famous valleys of Love, Red, Pink and Blue, deserve special attention as well as the local shrines of the park. The randomly scattered small rocks and peaks are made of tuff, a volcanic rock material that can be easily processed.
The collection of churches and monasteries constitutes an open-air museum with centuries-old history and culture. All religious institutions are accessible to visitors and are comfortable havens for all Christians.
Over the course of many years, residents of other countries who fled state oppression built many caves with winding passages in the high tuff hills, which later turned into a real city. Small villages and cave structures with their ancient past attract tourists from all over the world.
6. Namib-Naukluft Park
Namib-Naukluft National Park- the fourth largest reserve in the world, located in the heart of the African Namib Desert. The park's territory is about 50,000 km², located between a central high plateau and a vast plain.
The landscape design includes granite Naukluft cliffs with sparse vegetation, gypsum and quartz plains, as well as sand dunes and shallow canyons.
Due to the hot climate and lack of rain, which can last for several decades, the plant world has a small population. However, some endemic species, such as the Welwitschia tree, are quite adapted to arid areas. Among the animals, the most popular are large mammals: elephants, lions, rhinoceroses and ungulates. Reptiles, birds and insects also predominate in large numbers.
The main attractions of the park are: the Sossusvlei clay plateau, Sesrim Canyon, Welwitschia Plains and the Dead Valley with the skeletons of dried trees. The desert region of Namib-Naukluft has little attraction for tourists, as difficult and long routes are combined with lifeless places and unfavorable conditions.
7. Swiss National Park
The most beautiful natural reserves include Swiss national park. It was founded on August 1, 1914 in the canton of Graubünden, and is a protected site with strict visiting rules for tourists. It covers an area of 172.4 km², which is located at an altitude of 1400 to 3175 meters above sea level. Switzerland's only nature reserve and the first park in Central Europe is located in the foothills of the Alps and the Engadin Valley.
Wide alpine meadows, snowy peaks, clear lakes and pine forests lure nature lovers from all countries with their splendor. There are 21 hiking trails in the reserve, each approximately 80 km long. Tourist routes provide the opportunity to see many species of various animals and a rich flora. Among the mammals there are brown bears, mountain goats, lynx, martens, and marmots. The fauna is represented by deciduous and evergreen forests, wild flowers and grasses, which have favorable conditions for life in the alpine terrain.
A visit to the park at any time of the year is wonderful in its own way, and walks in the fresh mountain air add an unforgettable dose of positivity for any visitor.
8. Torres del Paine Park
Known for its spectacular landscapes, forests, jagged rock peaks and scattered water arteries beautiful Torres del Paine National Park deserves the attention of every traveler who comes to southern Patagonia. Located in the Torres del Paine and Cuernos del Paine mountain ranges, the park occupies 2,420 km² of territory in southern Chile and is a biosphere reserve.
The granite snow-capped cliffs, as part of the sprawling Andes range, are dotted with glaciers, waterfalls, fast-flowing rivers and lakes with iridescent hues of color from the bright sunlight. The park's most unique features include Glacier Gray, the Horns, French Valley and the Tower Mountains.
Amazing landscapes with stony deserts, grassy tundras and plains, as well as a vast composition of flora and fauna give a combination of ideal beauty and harmony.
Among the wild animals in the reserve, the most common are pumas, skunks, foxes, guanacos and the Chilean deer, which is depicted on the country's coat of arms. The park is home to many birds, including birds of prey: hawks, condors, owls.
The vegetation here, as a decoration for any area, is represented by numerous mosses, shrubs, evergreen trees and colorful flowers and herbs.
Excellent conditions have been created for tourists to have a wonderful time in the reserve. Convenient routes and small wooden rest houses provide comfort and coziness during long journeys around the park.
9. Jasper Park
Picturesque Jasper national park, founded in 1907, is located in the Canadian province of Alberta. Occupying a total area of more than 10,878 km², the park combines the mountain landscapes of the Main and Front Ranges, as well as the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
The main natural resources of the park are snow-capped mountains, river valleys, glaciers, roaring waterfalls, clear lakes and meadows. The glacier and waterfall, collectively known as Athabasca, together complete a colorful picture among the park's main attractions.
Favorable climatic conditions in the Jasper Nature Preserve have created a permanent habitat for a large composition of animal and plant life. The extensive forests contain varieties of evergreen trees that are quite common in these areas, such as larch, yellow and Weymouth pines, Engelmann and Douglas fir, and juniper.
Among the animals, the largest populations are grizzly bears, wolves, moose, beavers, wolverines, deer, and Canadian lynxes.
Biggest natural object Canada pleases its visitors with the opportunity to organize various types of activities - fishing, sports game events, extreme sports, hiking and horseback riding, biking and canoeing, rafting, as well as many other recreation options, depending on the choice of visiting guests.
10. Zhangjiajie Park
Zhangjiajie- one of the most beautiful national parks in China. It is located in the scenic area of Wulingyuan and is the first national forest reserve in China, founded in 1982. The park has become world famous for its landscapes with lush subtropical forests, clear mountain streams, caves and more than 3,000 quartzite rocks resembling tall stone pillars up to 200 m high.
Zhangjiajie's area is about 479.15 km². Thanks to the humid climate and vegetation, the quartzite rocks scattered throughout the park are the result of centuries of erosion.
Ecotourism, or ecotourism, is travel to places with relatively untouched nature. The main principle for such a trip is not to harm the environment, which is why ecological routes mainly run through national parks and nature reserves. Here are ten of the most famous and interesting protected places in our country, where you can go to admire the magnificent nature in its original form.
Transbaikalsky National Park
Transbaikal National Park is one of the few national parks in Russia that fully meet 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 there are large orographic units: the Svyatonossky ridge, the Barguzinsky ridge, the Chivyrkuisky isthmus and the Ushkany Islands. 
Two mountain ranges stretch across the park in the direction from northeast to southwest: the Barguzinsky ridge - gradually descending from the Barguzinsky reserve to lake. Barmashovoye (the highest elevation of the ridge within the boundaries of the park is 2376 m above sea level) and the Sredinny Range of the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula (the highest elevation is approximately in the middle part of 1877 m), gradually descending to the north and south. The Chivyrkuisky Isthmus connects the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula with the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. The Ushkany Islands (Big Ushkany Island and Small Ushkany Islands) are the peaks of the Academichesky Ridge, which divides the Baikal depression into two basins - northern and southern. 
Altai Nature Reserve
The Altai Nature 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. It is included in the "Global-200" (WWF) list - pristine or little-changed ecoregions of the world, which contain 90% of the planet's biodiversity.
The territory occupied by the Altai Nature Reserve includes five physical-geographical regions of three natural provinces. Almost all natural zones are distinguished in the spectrum of altitudinal zones Gorny Altai: taiga lowlands and midlands, subalpine and alpine meadow midlands and highlands, tundra-steppe highlands, tundra midlands and highlands, glacial-nival highlands. Forests occupy 34% of the total area of the main zone. They are located in the lower and middle parts of mountains, on steep slopes of valleys, as well as on lower parts of sloping ridges. The lower border of the forest begins at 436 meters (level of Lake Teletskoye), and the upper border varies 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. 
Lazovsky Reserve
Of particular value in the protected area is the unique grove of relict pointed yew on the island. Petrov, thickets of endemic cross-paired microbiota, populations of such rare animals as the Amur goral, Amur tiger, and Ussuri sika deer.
The Lazovsky Nature Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, in the interfluve of the Kievka and Chernaya rivers. The Zapovedny Ridge divides the territory of the reserve into two parts - northern continental and southern coastal. The average height of the mountains is 500–700 m, with individual peaks reaching 1200–1400 m above sea level. The mountain slopes have varying steepness, on average 20–25 degrees, their ridges are narrow but flat. Significant areas are occupied by rocky placers. The height of the spurs decreases in the east towards the sea, the watershed ridges turn 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. 
Nature Reserve "Kedrovaya Pad".
The very first reserve Far East and one of the oldest nature reserves in Russia, formed to preserve and study unique for Russia undisturbed liana coniferous-deciduous forests of Southern Primorye, characterized by a high proportion of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. The reserve and its surroundings are 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-leaved carp, Komarov currant. In the reserve, rock primrose was found for the first time (on Mount Chalban), and species new to science were described - Far Eastern violet and Ussuri corydalis. The Kedrovaya River flows through the reserve; its length does not exceed 25 kilometers. It is the ideal of a clean river for scientists all over the world. 
Samarskaya Luka National Park.
The Samarskaya Luka National Park was created in 1984 by decision of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, and is one of the first three national parks in Russia. Samara Luka is a unique area formed by the bend of the largest European river Volga in its middle course and the Usinsky Bay of the Kuibyshev Reservoir. The Volga in this place makes a large arc facing the east, and then turns to the southwest. Its length is more than 200 km. The ancient carbonate rocks raised high here form something like an island.
Unique landforms, unique microclimate, Amazing beauty mountains, the blue necklace of the Volga that frames them, the unique flora and fauna have earned 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. 
Smolensk Poozerie National Park
The Smolensk Poozerye National Park was formed 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 under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. The name "Smolensk Poozerie" owes its name to 35 large and small glacial lakes located in the park. Each of these lakes is beautiful and unique in its own way.
In terms of configuration, the park's territory is an almost 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. Przhevalskoe. 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 park border. 
Curonian Spit National 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 boundaries 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 eco-tourism. 
The Curonian Spit has been regarded as “an exceptional example of a sand dune landscape under constant threat from natural forces such as wind and water. After the destructive intervention of man, which threatened the existence of the spit, it was restored through stabilization and protection work that began in the 19th century and continues to this day.” Currently the territory Curonian Spit is officially protected by the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention. 
Valdai National Park.
The Valdai National Park was formed with the aim of preserving the unique lake-forest complex of the Valdai Upland and creating 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 ability to maintain ecological balance, and the enormous 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, zone of regulated use 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 drainage basins of lakes Borovno, Valdayskoye, Velye, Seliger and the upper reaches of the Polomet River. 
Baikal-Lena Nature Reserve.
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 approximately 120 km with an average width of 65 km.
Total length coastline The Federal State Budgetary Institution “Reserved Baikal Region” 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. 
Currently, the process of unifying the Baikal-Lena Nature Reserve and the Pribaikalsky National Park into a single nature conservation, scientific and tourist complex has been completed: the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Reserve Pribaikalye”. 
Ilmensky Nature Reserve.
One of the oldest reserves in Russia, founded in 1920 to preserve unique mineral deposits. Since 1935, it has been transformed into a complex reserve for the preservation and study of mineral wealth, flora and fauna of the eastern macroslope of the Southern Urals. In 1991, the historical and archaeological branch "Arkaim" (currently the forestry "Stepnoye") was added to the reserve to preserve and study the unique monument of the early urban civilization of the Bronze Age - the settlement "Arkaim" and the archaeological complex in the Bolshekaragan Valley. The reserve is the only mineralogical reserve in the country and one of the few mineralogical reserves in the world.
The Natural Science Museum is one of the five largest geological and mineralogical museums in Russia and has on display one of the largest biological dioramas in the country. The first collections of minerals and rocks of the reserve began to be created in 1925. In 1936, the first wooden building of the museum was built, and since 1990 the museum has been housed in a three-story building with six halls with a total area of 2050 square meters. m. The museum's fund includes about 30 thousand storage units, 9 thousand exhibits are exhibited. The museum is a major regional center for education in the field of natural sciences, receiving 50 thousand visitors annually. 
The territory of the reserve is a kind of “mineralogical museum in nature”: about 270 species and 94 varieties of minerals were discovered here, and 18 of them were discovered for the first time in Ilmeny. 
Of course, national parks, nature reserves, and just places with beautiful nature There are a great many in our country. I suggest you tell us in the comments about your favorite natural region, I think many will find it interesting and useful to know.