Lake Baikal
The Pearl of Siberia - The deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal (in Russian О́зеро Байка́л) is one of
Russia's wonders. It is located in southern
Siberia,
70 km from
Irkutsk, the fifth largest city in Siberia, to the northwest, in the state (oblast) of the same name. To the
southeast, separating it from Siberia, is the Republic of Buryatia. In extension, the lake is 31,722 km2.
Measure of the Lord
"The Lord looked: the land that was not tender came out ... no matter how much it took offense at the creator! .. And so as
not to hold a grudge, he took and waved to her not some kind of bedding, but the measure of his bounty, which he measured,
what should be him. The measure fell and turned into Baikal" (Valentin Rasputin, Siberia, Siberia).
World Heritage
Considered the largest fresh water lake in the world (with about 20% of the total volume of water on the planet), Lago Baical is also considered the
clearest of all lakes in the world, with rich ecosystem in endemic species. Declared a
World Heritage Site in
1996, Lake Baikal is frozen between the months of January and May.
Sacred Sea of Siberia
On the eastern side of the lake live the Buriats, which we can call descendants of the hordes of Genghis Khan ... Adepts of Buddhism
Tibetan, for shamans (they are also adepts of shamanism), Lake Baikal is a sacred place that they call, in fact, the Sea
Sacred of Siberia. Olkhon Island is one of the most important places to unravel the mysteries and stories of Lake Baikal.
Trans Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway (in Russian: Транссибирская магистраль or simply Транссиб, Transsib) is the best way for the
traveler to discover all of
Siberia and Lake Baikal. This 9,289 km long
railway runs from
Moscow to Vladivostok, in
the far east of Russia. It is the third longest railway in the world: the first is Moscow-Pyangyang, with 10,267 and
the second, Donetsk-Vladivostok, with 9,903 km.
Baikalia
The region around the lake is also known as Baikalia. In these vast territories - for us Westerners, on the edge of the steppes
Central Asia - the huge Taiga forest and, further to the north, the incredible Tundra, covered with ice most of the time, with its
vast spaces of permafrost, the icy and white immensity, the endless distances give an idea of the grandeur.
Attractions
With continental dimensions and a surprising diversity of landscapes and peoples, the following are the 10 most desired and
visited attractions of the Russian Federation:
•
Moscow
•
Saint Petersburg (SPB)
•
Volgograd
•
Kizhi Island
•
Novgorod or Veliki Novgorod
•
Kazan
•
Sochi
•
Lake Baikal
• To travel by the
Trem Transiberiano
• The Altai and Elbruss Mounts and the Geysers Valley
Russia's Regions
The country's territory is divided in 85 administrative entities (oblasts, republics, krais, federal cities, among other) which are included in
eight federal districts. Among the entities we highlight:
Moscow,
Saint Petersburg,
Krasnodar,
Ekaterinburg,
Rostov on Don, Ufa,
Kazan,
Nijni Novgorod, Tcheliabinsk, Tiumen, Samara, Saratov, Kemerovo,
Novosibirsk,
Krasnoiarsk, Stavropol, Barnaul, Makhatchkala, Perm and Volgograd, among the most important.
Russia's Main Cities
The 10 main cities in Russia are:
- Moscow, the capital>
- Saint Petersburg>
- Krasnodar>
- Ekaterinburg>
- Rostov-on-Don>
- Kazan>
- Volgograd>
- Perm>
- Nijni Novgorod>
- Samara>
Russia's Main Tourist Destinations
Important tourist destination in the world, Russia welcomes about 25 million visitors every year.
Tourism represents about 6% of the country's GDP. Moscow is one of the most visited cities in Europe and the world . The 10 main tourist destinations in Russia are:
- Moscow, the capital
- Saint Petersburg
- Golden Ring
- Volgograd
- Kazan
- Ekaterinburg
- Rostov-on-Don
- Perm
- Nijni Novgorod
- Samara
Best Trips Selection
To discover and experience Russia's best destinations: attractions and destinations carefully chosen to make your trip unforgettable.
To learn more:
Russia's Destinations.
To rent a car
Explora Mundi tip: if travelling in group, to rent a car is a big experience. This is really great for families too.
Book hotels
With Explora Mundi's tips you will book really good bargain hotels. We always choose good value hotels.