Forest Karelia Republic: General characteristics and photos

The Karelian region is located in the North of Russia. In the West it borders with Finland and its Eastern coast is washed by the White sea. This region is famous for its amazing fauna and flora, largely untouched. The forest of Karelia holds many secrets, it is dotted with rivers, and in its depths is hidden a huge number of lakes.

Today, these places are protected by the state. Hunting and logging are strictly controlled. The forest plays an important role in the development of tourist infrastructure, and also has important industrial value.

Encyclopedic data

Forests cover more than half the territory of the Republic of Karelia. Another 30% is covered by swamps. In total, the forest of Karelia occupies 14 million acres, 9.5 million of which is covered with dense forest. One third of this territory is security, the rest of the forest used industrial.

Geographical features

Karelia different kind of relief. Its territory is like a patchwork rug, where you can see mirror lake, pine forests, marshes, heaths, birch groves and hills. In prehistoric times the landscape was formed under the influence of the movement of glaciers. Today, as the memories of bygone eras, towering over the region “mutton foreheads” – a kind of smooth white rocks, carved by a giant ice.

The Southern regions covered by dense and tall pine forest. Northern forest of Karelia has a lower height and density.

Coniferous and deciduous trees Karelia

The Sandy soil explains the fact that in the Karelia Republic reigns pine. It owns nearly 70 % of the forests. Spruce grows on clay and loamy soils, mainly in the southern region of middle taiga of the strip.

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Some isolated parts of the coast of the Onega lake is covered with spruce, combined with lime and maple. Coniferous forests of Karelia in the South-East of the Republic mixed with Siberian larch.

Of deciduous trees in the region grows, downy birch, grey alder, aspen. The famous Karelian birch, with colorful color, high density and extraordinary svilevatost wood, found only in the southern edges of the region.

Rich in these places and medicinal plants. Here grow wild plants: bearberry, Lily of the valley, orchids, watch.

Climate

The Forest of Karelia was formed under the influence of the harsh Northern climate. The Northern region is adjacent to the border of the Arctic circle, and a very small part is located, even in the limit.

For forests typical of the taiga ecosystem, but the surrounding area of Lavatera located in the North of Karelia, – it is a tundra.

White nights and seasonal characteristics of the region

Winter in these parts long. In the Northern regions days with sub-zero temperatures, there are 190 in the year in the South – about 150. Autumn starts in August and ends around mid-October. Freeze water, increases wind, increases the intensity and duration of precipitation.

If you are attracted by the autumn woods of Karelia, praised by many artists and poets go there in late August or early September, otherwise you will have the opportunity to admire the taiga in winter.

However, winter in these parts is not so terrible. Even in the middle of autumn in Karelia falls with an impressive amount of snow, which then melts, then knocks cereal again. Snow cover lasts for almost six months at the level of 60-70 cm (in a particularly snowy winters – even up to a meter). Winter thaws can occur when the sun is shining, like a spring.

Another feature that you should know about these places – white nights. In the summer the day length exceeds 23 hours. The darkness practically does not occur, and the peak of the white nights occurs in June, when not even twilight. But there are, of course, and the reverse side of the coin-the polar night, falling to the ground almost 3 months. However, in the South of the Republic, this phenomenon is poorly expressed. During white nights you need to go far away to the North – about 66 degrees North latitude.

Karelian lakes

The Forest is not the only natural wealth of Karelia. This region is famous for lakes. It has two largest lakes of Europe-Ladoga and Onega. Lakes play a very important role in forest ecosystems. On the shores of old settled indigenous inhabitants of the region-Karelians. They were engaged not only hunting, but also fishing. The importance of the lake and the animals that inhabit the forests of Karelia. Photos of these places attract tourists. People today prefer to settle close to forest lakes.

The Total number of Karelian lakes reaches 60 thousand. Many in these parts and rivers-about 11 thousand. All the waters of the region belong to the basins of White and Baltic seas.

Fauna of the forest

Fauna of Karelia are very diverse. Among mammals dominate the lynx, marten, American and Russian mink, otters, ferrets, weasels, wolverines, weasels, badgers, brown bears, wolves, raccoon dogs, elk, foxes, wild reindeer, moles, shrews,squirrels, mice. Hedgehogs are less common and only in the South. Muskrat spread in many waters of southern and Central Karelia. Hare has wide commercial importance. Among the reptiles many snakes and vipers. But snakes can be found only in the southern regions, in the North they were almost there.

The Forests of the Republic of Karelia – home to 200 species of birds, most of which are migratory. Constantly it is home to capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, partridges. A variety of waterfowl, loons, grebes, ducks, geese, swans. There in the woods sandpipers, hawks, bittern, osprey, Buzzards, cranes and korosteli, there are many different types of owls. Frequent here also, woodpeckers and thrushes, with fall in the edge of the flock of waxwings. Especially the attentive tourist can meet in the Karelian forests, even the Golden eagle. Grouse and grouse settled throughout.

Islands in the White sea are famous for their settlements Gaga with high quality fluff. She, like other rare birds, hunting is prohibited.

Insects

If you plan to visit the fabulous Karelian forest and seek advice from seasoned travelers, you certainly brought occasionally listen to horror stories about mosquitoes the size of a Sparrow, which is full of wild thickets, and even the major cities of this Northern region.

Information about the size, of course, exaggerated, but the smoke without fire does not happen. Mosquitoes are a huge number, and they are quite large. Besides mosquitoes, the forests and swamps of Karelia inhabits even unthinkable a number of different blood-sucking, which is especially active during flowering cloudberries. But by the end of August activity is weakening, but from the first September's frost, and all comes to naught.

Tourism in Karelia

Two-thirds of the Republic are open to tourists. To get to the reserve are unlikely because in all the buffer zone is simply denied entry. And there is nothing special in the taiga is cold and pristine wilderness.

Better to go to regions with more or less developed tourist infrastructure. And it is worth mentioning, everywhere abides still in the stage of formation. To talk about the high level of service is not necessary. But for this you go into the forest to tourists?

The Lead in the top Balaam – an ancient monastery complex in one of the lakes Ladoga. Here you can go by yourself or as part of a tour group. No less noteworthy monastery in the town of Kizhi. Both of these locations are outside of the Karelian forests, but those who travel to this region from afar, try to visit not only in the wilderness of pristine nature, but also to visit the Holy places.

Many researchers claim that in Karelia there are many geoactive anomalies called places of power. By the way, Valaam and Kizhi and also to treat them and considered to be one of the most powerful. In the middle of the forest hides a lot of ancient pagan temples, built by the Saami and the Lapps-the indigenous inhabitants of these places, which were later supplanted by the ancestors of the modern Karelians and Slavs. Some brave souls go in the Karelian forests for the sake of these mystical places. Think carefully: are you ready to meet the unknown?

If you decide to see what the woods in Karelia, plan a trip at any time of the year. The travel Agency offers a wild summer vacation, and Christmas tours, and rafting on the rivers of the shrew, and many other programs, the most revealing beauty of lakes and forests. Of course, in terms of tourist industry of Karelia still has room to grow, but even the current level will satisfy the discerning vacationer. It offers rental of any water transport, horseback riding, safaris (in season, of course), fishing. You can go on vacation even without equipment and gear – everything can be rented.

Camping in the forest

Well, if civilized, organized by a team of professionals stay in the forests of Karelia not your topic, you can visit these places in the company of avid outdoorsmen. Ideally, if the group is at least one person with experience Hiking in Karelia. Not always possible to pitch tents and bonfires, and some amazing places not on maps. For example, to reach the Island Perfume by Okhta almost impossible – here you will need an experienced guide.

Campsites in large numbers organized on the shores of forest lakes and rivers full of rapids. These places are especially attractive for lovers of water sports. Kayakers in Karelia are not uncommon.

In Order not to have problems with the law and their own conscience to follow safety rules in the organization of the hearths. Don't place in the wild forest, no trace of your stay in the form of packages of food and drink and household garbage. This can result in a large fine.

National forest crafts

The Forest of Karelia all summer is ready to generously share the wealth. Here you can gather up cranberries, cranberry, cloudberry, blueberry, raspberry, blueberry. Many in these parts and mushrooms. Locals are quiet hunting all season. If you're not lucky with either mushrooms or berries, ask residents of any roadside settlements. Certainly there are many wanting to offer you local delicacies at a reasonable cost.

In ancient times, people hunted and still hunt. Valuable fur-bearing animal, which even today abound in the Karelian forests, was appreciated far beyond the region. Ancestors of Karelians were active in trading, sellingtheir goods to merchants from all over Europe.

Commercial value of the forest

Today, the main areas are not only the production of fur, picking berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants, and pulp and paper and woodworking industry. Collectors produce standing timber in Karelia and sent him to many regions of Russia. A considerable part of wood is exported. To maintain balance, the government strictly controls the felling of forests and planting of saplings.