There are many beautiful buildings, natural phenomena and other unique objects in the world that delight people. And the task of each generation is to preserve this wealth and pass it on to descendants. The most valuable attractions are included in a special list.
About World Heritage Sites
It’s scary to think that descendants won’t see, for example, the Acropolis or Meanwhile, this could happen, if not in the near future, then in a few generations. That is why one of the primary tasks of humanity is to preserve and increase the cultural and natural wealth of the planet.
For this purpose, a special list was created, which includes objects World Heritage located in various countries and regions. There are many of them, they are diverse, and each is unique in its own way.
General information about the list
The idea of a list of the world's most valuable sites was first implemented in 1978, after the UN Convention was adopted six years earlier, declaring a shared responsibility for the preservation of the most significant cultural and natural monuments.
At the end of 2014, the list contained 1007 items. The top ten countries for the number of World Heritage sites are Italy, China, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, India, Great Britain, Russia and the USA. In total, there are 359 items included in the list on their territory.
There are a number of criteria according to which the list is expanded. They include the uniqueness or exclusivity of a particular place or building from different points of view: its inhabitants, construction, evidence of an important stage in the development of civilizations, etc. Therefore, sometimes you can find objects on the list that are quite unexpected for someone.
Categories and examples
The entire diversity of the World Heritage is divided into three conditional groups: cultural, natural and cultural-natural. The first category is the most numerous, it includes 779 items, for example, the building of the Opera House in Sydney. The second group contains 197 objects, including Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the Grand Canyon. The last category is the smallest - only 31 monuments, but they combine both natural beauty and human intervention: Machu Picchu, Meteora monasteries, etc.
For some reason, people are accustomed to primarily admiring buildings and creations of their own efforts, forgetting about natural beauties. But in vain, because in fact this is also a World Cultural Heritage.
In Russia
On the territory of the Russian Federation there are 26 monuments included in the UNESCO list. Of these, 15 are classified as cultural, and the remaining 11 are natural. They are located throughout the country and include truly unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Russia.
For the first time, the Russian Federation added to the list of countries on whose territory there are monuments to human and natural genius in 1990, when the list was also replenished with the Kizhi Pogost and the historical center of St. Petersburg. Subsequently, the World Heritage of Russia was regularly replenished and continues to expand. The list includes nature reserves, monasteries, geological monuments and many other objects. Thus, in 2014, the historical and archaeological complex “Bulgar”, which is located in Tatarstan, was included in the Russian World Heritage List.
Full list
Russia's World Heritage sites are mostly known to many citizens. But someone will also find unfamiliar points that they might want to visit, so it’s better to give a complete list:
- historical center and monuments of St. Petersburg;
- Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow;
- Kizhi Pogost;
- Veliky Novgorod and its surroundings;
- white monuments of Suzdal and Vladimir;
- Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye;
- Trinity-Sergius Lavra;
- Komi forests;
- Lake Baikal;
- Kamchatka volcanoes;
- Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve;
- golden Altai Mountains;
- basin of Lake Uvs-Nur;
- Western Caucasus;
- Kazan Kremlin;
- Ferapontov Monastery;
- Curonian Spit;
- old city of Derbent;
- Wrangel Island;
- Novodevichy Convent;
- historical center of Yaroslavl;
- Struve arc;
- Putorana plateau;
- Lena Pillars;
- complex "Bulgar".
Another point is related to the political events of 2014 - the ancient city of Chersonesus is located on the Crimean Peninsula, which is also included in the World Cultural Heritage. Russia actually has something to strive for, because there are many more unique objects located on the territory of the country, and each of them may eventually be included in the UNESCO list. In the meantime, it’s still worth learning more about those monuments that are already on this list. It’s not for nothing that they were included there, is it?
Natural
Russia is a huge country, the largest on the planet in terms of territory. 9 time zones, 4 climates and a huge number of different zones. It is not surprising that the World Natural Heritage of Russia is quite numerous and diverse - 11 objects. There are huge forests, clean and deep lakes, and natural phenomena of amazing beauty here.
- Virgin forests of Komi. Considered to be the largest intact forests in Europe. Included in the World Heritage of Russia in 1995. Many species of rare representatives of flora and fauna grow and live on their territory.
- Lake Baikal. Is the deepest on the planet. Entered the list in 1996. Many species living in the lake are endemic.
- Volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula. They are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Included in the Russian World Heritage Sites in 1996.
- Altai. On the list since 1998. Include habitats of rare representatives of flora and fauna.
- Caucasian Nature Reserve. Located in three constituent entities of the Russian Federation: Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea. On the list since 1999.
- Central Sikhote-Alin. A nature reserve located in the Primorsky Territory. Many rare species of animals live on its territory. Entered the UNESCO list in 2001.
- Curonian Spit. This unique object is a sand body stretching across the Baltic Sea for almost 100 kilometers. On the territory of the spit there are a large number of interesting places, for example the famous “Dancing Forest”; the seasonal migration route of many birds also lies through it. Included in the list in 2000.
- Uvsu-Nur basin. Located on the border of the Russian Federation and Mongolia. The basin was listed in 2003 according to the criteria of international scientific significance and conservation of biological and landscape diversity.
- Wrangel Island. Divided almost equally between the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Most of its territory is occupied by mountains. Rare plants grow here, which was also the reason why the site was included in the UNESCO list in 2004 under number 1023.
- It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2010. It is home to the migratory routes of large populations of reindeer and hosts a unique combination of ecosystems.
- Lena pillars. At the moment, the last object of the World natural heritage in Russia. Was included in the list in 2012. In addition to its aesthetic importance, this object is valuable for the uniqueness of the geological processes occurring here.
Man-made
Objects of the World Cultural Heritage of Russia, of course, include not only natural monuments, but the results of human labor.
- Historical center of St. Petersburg. Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow. The hearts of both capitals were included in the list at the same time - in 1990 - and according to four criteria at once.
- Kizhi. This unique ensemble of wooden buildings was included in the UNESCO list in 1990. This true wonder of the world not only demonstrates the genius of humanity, but also is in amazing harmony with the surrounding nature.
- In 1992, UNESCO added 3 more attractions to its list: monuments of Novgorod, Suzdal and Vladimir, as well as
- The Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, included in the list respectively in 1993 and 1994, are known to everyone for their beauty - many residents of Moscow and the Moscow region regularly visit there.
- entered the list in 2000, as did
- Monuments of the city of Derbent in Dagestan - 2003.
- in Moscow - 2004.
- Historical center of Yaroslavl - 2005.
- (2 points), which helped establish the shape, size and some other parameters of the planet - 2005.
- Architectural and historical complex Bulgar - 2014.
As you can see, the World Cultural Heritage sites of Russia are mostly concentrated in the European part, which is determined by the peculiarities of the development of the territory.
Contenders
The list of Russia's World Heritage Sites may expand significantly in the coming years. The Government of the Russian Federation regularly offers the UN new applicants, unique and beautiful in their own way. There are now 24 more sites that can be included in the main UNESCO list.
Threat of extinction
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to preserve World Heritage. Russia, fortunately, is not yet in danger of this; all of its monuments included in the list are in relative safety. UNESCO regularly edits and publishes a special list that includes unique sites that are in danger. Now it consists of 38 points. Natural and cultural monuments fall into this “alarming” list for various reasons: poaching, deforestation, construction and reconstruction projects that violate the historical appearance, climate change, etc. Moreover, the worst enemy of World Heritage is time, which is impossible win. And yet, from time to time, monuments are removed from this list, most often due to improvements in the situation. But there are also sad examples when the situation deteriorated so much that objects simply ceased to be included in the World Heritage Site. Russia has nothing to fear yet, although the environmental situation in some parts of the country may affect many natural monuments. And then, perhaps, the “alarming” list will become relevant for the Russian Federation as well.
UNESCO activities
Inclusion in the list is not only and not so much prestige, but also, first of all, increased attention to the safety and condition of certain objects on the part of a larger number of organizations. UNESCO also stimulates the development of eco-tourism and increases people's awareness of the uniqueness of monuments. Among other things, there is a special fund that finances the support of facilities.
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Books
- World Heritage of Russia. Book 2. Natural monuments, Alla Sirotkina. The books tell about the cultural and natural monuments of Russia included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The second volume - 12 natural objects. Their description and history are given. Every…
- World Heritage of Russia. Book 2. Nature. Photo album, Sirotkina A.. The books tell about the cultural and natural monuments of Russia included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first volume - 14 architectural objects, the second volume - 12 natural objects. They are given...
In Russia, many monuments and cultural heritages are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Now we will introduce you to some of them.
All these monuments and places are under strict protection of the UN, UNESCO and a number of other organizations related to culture, science and education.
Moscow Kremlin and Red Square
Any resident of Russia knows what the Kremlin and Red Square are. Any tourist and resident of our vast homeland, the first thing they do when they come to Moscow is to visit these memorable places. UNESCO took these sites under protection in 1990.
This monument reflects the entire centuries-old history of Moscow and Russia in general. Also on the territory of the Kremlin there are unique objects of Russian foundry art: the Tsar Bell, which weighs more than 200 tons and has a diameter of 6.6 m, and the Tsar Cannon with its mass of 40 tons.
Lake Baikal
A unique natural monument of Eastern Siberia, Baikal was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1996. The lake is the deepest in the world and contains 19% of the planet's fresh water. When viewed from above, the lake resembles a crescent moon, covers an area of over 3 million hectares and is fed by more than 300 rivers and streams.
Lake Baikal is one of the most picturesque
The water in the lake has a high oxygen content, and thanks to its transparency, it is possible to discern a depth of up to 40 m. The age of the ancient lake is especially impressive - more than 25 million years, the complete isolation of which contributed to the development of a unique ecosystem in it.
Natural Park "Lena Pillars"
Included in the UNESCO National Heritage List in 2012, the Lena Pillars Park is the site where priceless finds from the inhabitants of the Cambrian period were discovered. The park is located in the center of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) near the coast of the Lena River, occupying 1.27 million hectares.
"Lena Pillars" - a unique natural monument
The park is home to 12 species of fauna listed in the Red Book. Due to its antiquity, the park is of particular geological interest: the natural monument is distinguished by its relief dotted with caves, stone spiers, towers and niches.
Architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost
The unique architectural complex of wooden architecture of the 18th-19th centuries was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990 and is an ensemble of two wooden churches and a bell tower in Karelia.
Kizhi Pogost is the embodiment of Russian architecture
The Kizhi State Historical and Architectural Museum is located here with many objects of wooden religious architecture, including an eight-winged windmill 1929 and the Transfiguration Church, built without a single nail.
Novgorod historical monuments
Architectural complexes Veliky Novgorod and its surroundings were included in the UNESCO National Heritage List in 1992. The number of cultural sites includes such significant Orthodox buildings of antiquity as the Znamensky, Antoniev, Yuryev, Zverin monasteries, as well as the churches of the Nativity of Christ, the Savior on Nereditsa, and the Novgorod Detinets Kremlin.
Monuments of Veliky Novgorod - a UNESCO heritage site
Nature Reserve Wrangel Island
The reserve was included in the UNESCO list in 2004. The unique protected area is known for its virtually untouched natural ecosystem dominated by the largest population of polar bears, walruses, and more than 50 species of birds.
Wrangel Island is famous for its untouched ecosystem
The territory of the reserve is located beyond the Arctic Circle, including Wrangel and Herald Islands and the waters of the Chukchi and East Siberian seas. Despite the harsh conditions of Arctic waters, more than 400 plant species predominate.
Curonian Spit
The famous sand spit stretches for 98 km with a maximum width of up to 3.8 km, located on the dividing line of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. The natural attraction was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 2000 and is interesting for its unique anthropogenic landscape, which is represented by a variety of reliefs - from deserts to swampy tundras.
The Curonian Spit serves as a resting place for migratory birds
The spit is of great importance during the migration of 10 to 20 million birds and serves as a haven for them during rest. Only here you can find dunes up to 68 m in height, the width of which sometimes reaches 1 km.
Novodevichy Convent in Moscow
Since 2004, the monastery has been included in the UNESCO list, which since 1524 has been one of the defensive structures of Moscow. In 1926, a historical museum was founded on the site of the monastery, and in 1980, the residence of the Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomensky was located. In 1994 it was officially approved convent.
Previously, the Novodevichy Convent housed a historical museum.
Komi forest
Recognized as the most pristine forests in Europe with a total area of 32,600 square meters. km, which belong to the territory of the Pechero-Ilychsky Nature Reserve and occupy part of the YugydVa National Park.
The Komi forest area is famous for its virgin forests
Protected by UNESCO since 1995. The forests are distinguished by the diversity of flora and fauna, with many plant species on the verge of extinction and listed in the Red Book.
Kamchatka volcanoes
The volcanoes of Kamchatka are considered part of the planet's Pacific volcanic ring of fire and have been protected by UNESCO since 1996. The surrounding landscapes with unique nature and biological diversity are especially impressive.
The number of volcanoes in Kamchatka totals more than a thousand
Currently, there are 26 World Heritage Sites located on the territory of the Russian Federation:
16 cultural sites (designated with the letter C - cultural) and 10 natural heritage sites (designated with the letter N - natural) on the World Heritage List.
Three of them are transboundary, i.e. located on the territory of several states: Curonian Spit (Lithuania, Russian Federation), Ubsunur Basin (Mongolia, Russian Federation), Struve Geodetic Arc (Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia)
The first objects - “Historical Center St. Petersburg and associated groups of monuments”, “Kizhi Pogost”, “Moscow Kremlin and Red Square” - were included in the World Heritage List at the 14th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in 1990 in the Canadian city of Banff.
43rd session of the World Heritage Committee - 2019 (Baku, Azerbaijan)
No. S1523 - Monuments of ancient Pskov
Criteria: (ii)
“Monuments of Ancient Pskov” includes 10 objects of architecture of medieval Rus' from the 12th to early 17th centuries. Among them are the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist of the Ivanovo Monastery (XIII century), the ensemble of the Spaso-Mirozhsky Monastery: the Transfiguration Cathedral (XII century), the ensemble of the Snetogorsky Monastery: the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin (XVI century), the Church of St. Michael the Archangel with a bell tower (XIV century. ), Church of the Intercession from Prolom (XV-XVI centuries), Church of Cosmas and Damian from Primostye (XV-XVII centuries), Church of St. George from Vzvoz (XV century), Church of the Epiphany with a belfry (XV century), - ( XVI century), Church of St. Basil on Gorka (XV century).
Information about the object:
14th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1990 (Banff, Canada)
№С540 - Historical center St. Petersburg and related groups of monuments
Criteria (i) (ii) (iv) (vi)
The "Venice of the North", with its many canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a great urban planning project, begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. The city turned out to be closely connected with the October Revolution of 1917, and in 1924-1991. it bore the name Leningrad. Its architectural heritage combines such different styles as baroque and classicism, which can be seen in the example of the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, Marble Palace and the Hermitage.
Information about the object:
No. S544 - Kizhi Pogost
Criteria: (i)(iv)(v)
Kizhi Pogost is located on one of the many islands of Lake Onega, in Karelia. Here you can see two wooden churches from the 18th century, as well as an octagonal bell tower, built of wood in 1862. These unusual structures, the pinnacle of carpentry, represent an example of an ancient church parish and blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C545 - Moscow Kremlin and Red Square
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)(vi)
This place is inextricably linked with the most important historical and political events in the life of Russia. Since the 13th century. The Moscow Kremlin, created in the period from the 14th century. to the 17th century by outstanding Russian and foreign architects, it was a grand ducal and then a royal residence, as well as a religious center. On Red Square, located near the walls of the Kremlin, stands St. Basil's Cathedral - a true masterpiece of Russian Orthodox architecture.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Moscow Kremlin Museums
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
16th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1992 (Santa Fe, USA)
No. C604 - Historical monuments of Veliky Novgorod and its environs
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Novgorod, advantageously located on the ancient trade route between Central Asia and Northern Europe, was in the 9th century. the first capital of Russia, the center of Orthodox spirituality and Russian architecture. Its medieval monuments, churches and monasteries, as well as the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek (Andrei Rublev's teacher), dating back to the 14th century, clearly illustrate the outstanding level of architectural and artistic creativity.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Novgorod Region
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C632 - Historical and cultural complex of the Solovetsky Islands
Criterion: (iv)
The Solovetsky archipelago, located in the western part of the White Sea, consists of 6 islands with a total area of more than 300 square meters. km. They were inhabited in the 5th century. BC, however, the very first evidence of human presence here dates back to the 3rd-2nd millennia BC. The islands, starting from the 15th century, became the site of the creation and active development of the largest monastery in the Russian North. There are also several churches from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Solovetsky State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve"
on the website "Museums of Russia"
No. C633 - White stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
These two ancient cultural centers of Central Russia occupy an important place in the history of the formation of the country's architecture. There are a number of majestic religious and public buildings of the 12th-13th centuries, among which the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals (Vladimir) stand out.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
17th session of the World Heritage Committee -1993 (Cartagena, Colombia)
No. C657 - Architectural ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the city of Sergiev Posad
Criteria: (ii)(iv)
This is a striking example of a functioning Orthodox monastery, which has the features of a fortress, which was fully consistent with the spirit of the time of its formation - the 15th-18th centuries. In the main temple of the Lavra - the Assumption Cathedral, created in the image and likeness of the cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin - there is the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev.
Information about the object:
on website of the Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
18th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1994 (Phuket, Thailand)
№С634rev- Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (Moscow)
Criterion: (ii)
This church was built in 1532 on the royal estate of Kolomenskoye near Moscow to commemorate the birth of the heir - the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. The Church of the Ascension, which is one of the earliest examples of the traditional hipped roof construction in stone, had a great influence on the further development of Russian church architecture.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
19th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1995 (Berlin, Germany)
N719 - Virgin forests of Komi
Criteria: (vii) (ix)
Covering an area of 3.28 million hectares, the heritage site includes lowland tundra, mountain tundra of the Urals, and one of the largest tracts of primary boreal forest remaining in Europe. A vast area of swamps, rivers and lakes, home to conifers, birch and aspen, has been studied and protected for more than 50 years. Here you can trace the course of natural processes that determine the biodiversity of the taiga ecosystem.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
20th session of the World Heritage Committee - 1996 (Merida, Mexico)
№ N754 - Lake Baikal
Criteria: (vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
Located in the southeast of Siberia and covering an area of 3.15 million hectares, Baikal is recognized as the oldest (25 million years old) and deepest (about 1700 m) lake on the planet. The reservoir stores approximately 20% of the world's fresh water reserves. In the lake, which is known as the “Galapagos of Russia,” due to its ancient age and isolation, a freshwater ecosystem, unique even by world standards, has formed, the study of which is of enduring importance for understanding the evolution of life on Earth.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
22nd Session of the World Heritage Committee - 1998 (Kyoto, Japan)
№ N768rev - “Golden Mountains of Altai”
Criteria: (x)
The Altai Mountains, which are the main mountainous region in the south of Western Siberia, form the sources of the largest rivers in this region - the Ob and Irtysh. The heritage site includes three separate areas: the Altai Reserve with the water protection zone of Lake Teletskoye, the Katunsky Reserve plus natural Park Belukha, Ukok plateau. The total area is 1.64 million hectares. The region demonstrates the widest range of altitudinal zones within Central Siberia: from steppes, forest-steppes and mixed forests to subalpine and alpine meadows and glaciers. The area is home to endangered animals such as the snow leopard.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
23rd session of the World Heritage Committee - 1999 (Marrakesh, Morocco)
№
N900
- Western Caucasus
Criteria: (ix) (x)
This is one of the few large high mountain ranges in Europe where nature has not yet been subject to significant anthropogenic influence. The area of the object is approximately 300 thousand hectares, it is located in the west of the Greater Caucasus, 50 km northeast of the Black Sea coast. Only wild animals graze in the local alpine and subalpine meadows, and the vast untouched mountain forests, stretching from the low-mountain zone to the subalpine, are also unique in Europe. The area is characterized by a wide variety of ecosystems, highly endemic flora and fauna, and is an area once inhabited, and later re-acclimatized, by a mountain subspecies of the European bison.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
24th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2000 (Cairns, Australia)
No. C980 - Historical and architectural complex of the Kazan Kremlin
Criteria: (ii) (iii) (iv)
Emerging from a territory inhabited since ancient times, the Kazan Kremlin traces its history back to the Muslim period in the history of the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. It was conquered in 1552 by Ivan the Terrible and became a stronghold of Orthodoxy in the Volga region. The Kremlin, which largely preserved the layout of the ancient Tatar fortress and became an important center of pilgrimage, includes outstanding historical buildings of the 16th-19th centuries, built on the ruins of earlier structures of the 10th-16th centuries.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Historical-Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve "Kazan Kremlin"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C982 - Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery
Criteria: (i) (iv)
Ferapontov Monastery is located in the Vologda region, in the north of the European part of Russia. This is an exceptionally well-preserved Orthodox monastery complex of the 15th-17th centuries, i.e. a period that was of great importance for the formation of a centralized Russian state and the development of its culture. The architecture of the monastery is unique and holistic. The interior of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary preserves magnificent wall frescoes by Dionysius, the greatest Russian artist of the late 15th century.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Kirillo-Belozersky Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve”
on the website of the Museum of Frescoes of Dionysius
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№С994 - Curonian Spit
Transboundary object: Lithuania, Russian Federation
Criterion: (v)
Human development of this narrow sandy peninsula, which has a length of 98 km and a width of 400 m to 4 km, began in prehistoric times. The spit was also exposed to natural forces - wind and sea waves. The preservation of this unique cultural landscape to this day has become possible only thanks to man's ongoing struggle against erosion processes (fixation of dunes, forest planting).
Information about the object:
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Russia)
on the website of the Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
25th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2001 (Helsinki, Finland)
№
N766rev - Central Sikhote-Alin
Criterion: (x)
The Sikhote-Alin Mountains are home to Far Eastern coniferous-deciduous forests, which are recognized as one of the richest and most original in species composition among all temperate forests on Earth. In this transition zone, located at the junction of the taiga and subtropics, there is an unusual mixture of southern (tiger, Himalayan bear) and northern animal species (brown bear, lynx). The area stretches from the highest peaks of the Sikhote Alin to the coast of the Sea of Japan, and serves as a refuge for many endangered species, including the Amur tiger.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
27th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2003 (Paris, France)
№
N769 rev- Ubsunur Basin
Transboundary site: Mongolia, Russian Federation
Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site (with an area of 1,069 thousand hectares) is located within the boundaries of the northernmost of all drainage basins in Central Asia. Its name comes from the name of the vast shallow and very salty lake Ubsunur, in the area of which a mass of migratory, waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds accumulate. The object consists of 12 isolated areas (including seven areas in Russia, with an area of 258.6 thousand hectares), which represent all the main types of landscapes characteristic of Eastern Eurasia. The steppes are home to a wide variety of birds, and desert areas are home to rare species of small mammals. In the high mountainous part, such globally rare animals as the snow leopard and argali mountain sheep, as well as the Siberian ibex, are noted.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Tuvan Republican Branch of the Russian Geographical Society
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
No. C1070 - Citadel, Old city and fortifications of Derbent
Criteria: (iii) (iv)
Ancient Derbent was located on the northern borders of Sasanian Persia, which at that time extended east and west from the Caspian Sea. The ancient fortifications, built of stone, include two fortress walls that run parallel to each other from the seashore to the mountains. The city of Derbent developed between these two walls and has retained its medieval character to this day. It continued to be a strategically important place until the 19th century.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution "Derbent State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
28th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2004 (Suzhou, China)
No. S1097 - Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent (Moscow)
Criteria: (i) (iv) (vi)
The Novodevichy Convent, located in the southwest of Moscow, was created during the 16th-17th centuries and was one of the links in the chain of monastic ensembles united in the city’s defense system. The monastery was closely connected with the political, cultural and religious life of Russia, as well as with the Moscow Kremlin. Representatives of the royal family, noble boyar and noble families were tonsured and buried here. The ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent is one of the masterpieces of Russian architecture (Moscow Baroque style), and its interiors, where valuable collections of paintings and works of decorative and applied art are stored, are distinguished by their rich interior decoration.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Mother of God of Smolensk Novodevichy Convent
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№ N1023rev - Natural complex of the Wrangel Island reserve
Criteria: (ix) (x)
The heritage site, located above the Arctic Circle, includes the mountainous Wrangel Island (7.6 thousand sq. km) and Herald Island (11 sq. km) along with the adjacent waters of the Chukchi and East Siberian seas. Since this area was not covered by the powerful Quaternary glaciation, there is very high biodiversity here. Wrangel Island is known for its huge walrus rookeries (one of the largest in the Arctic), as well as the highest density of polar bear maternity dens in the world. The area is important as a feeding ground for gray whales migrating here from California and as a nesting site for more than 50 species of birds, many of which are classified as rare and endangered. More than 400 species and varieties of vascular plants have been recorded on the island, that is, more than on any other Arctic island. Some of the living organisms found here are special island forms of those plants and animals that are widespread on the continent. About 40 species and subspecies of plants, insects, birds and animals are identified as endemic.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution State Nature Reserve "Wrangel Island"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
29th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2005 (Durban, South Africa)
No. S1187 - Struve geodetic arc
Transboundary object: Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, Estonia
Criteria: (ii) (iii) (vi)
The “Struve Arc” is a chain of triangulation points stretching for 2820 km across ten European countries from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea. These observation reference points were established in the period 1816-1855. astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve (aka Vasily Yakovlevich Struve), who thus made the first reliable measurement of a large segment of the earth's meridian arc. This made it possible to accurately determine the size and shape of our planet, which was an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. This was an exceptional example of scientific cooperation between scientists from different countries and between reigning monarchs. Initially, the “arc” consisted of 258 geodetic “triangles” (polygons) with 265 main triangulation points. The World Heritage Site includes 34 such points (the best preserved to date), which are marked on the ground in a variety of ways, such as hollows carved into the rocks, iron crosses, cairns or specially installed obelisks.
Information about the object:
Online St. Petersburg Society of Geodesy and Cartography
on the website of the Land Department of the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia
on the website of the Finnish Department of Cartography
on the Norwegian World Heritage website
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
№С1170 - Historical center of Yaroslavl
Criteria: (ii) (iv)
The historical city of Yaroslavl, located approximately 250 km northeast of Moscow at the confluence of the Kotorosl River and the Volga, was founded in the 11th century. and subsequently developed into a large shopping mall. It is known for its numerous churches from the 17th century, and as an outstanding example of the implementation of the urban planning reform carried out by decree of Empress Catherine the Great in 1763 throughout Russia. Although the city retained a number of remarkable historical buildings, it was later reconstructed in the classicist style based on a radial master plan. It also preserves items dating back to the 16th century. constructions of the Spassky Monastery - one of the oldest in the Upper Volga region, which arose at the end of the 12th century. on the site of a pagan temple, but rebuilt over time.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Official portal of the city of Yaroslavl
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
34th Session of the World Heritage Committee - 2010 (Brasilia, Brazil)
№ N1234rev - Putorana Plateau
Criteria: (vii) (ix)
This object coincides with its borders with the Putorana State Nature Reserve, located in the northern part of Central Siberia, 100 km beyond the Arctic Circle. The World Heritage portion of this plateau contains a full range of subarctic and arctic ecosystems preserved in an isolated mountain range, including pristine taiga, forest-tundra, tundra and arctic desert systems, as well as pristine cold-water lake and river systems. The main migration route of deer runs through the site, which is an exceptional, majestic and increasingly rare natural phenomenon.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "United Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves"
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
36th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2012 (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)
№ N1299 - Lena Pillars Nature Park
Criteria: (viii)
The Lena Pillars Natural Park is formed by rock formations of rare beauty that reach a height of about 100 meters and are located along the banks of the Lena River in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). They arose in a sharply continental climate with differences in annual temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius (from -60°C in winter to +40°C in summer). The pillars are separated from each other by deep and steep ravines, partially filled with frost-covered rock fragments. The penetration of water from the surface accelerated the freezing process and contributed to frost weathering. This led to the deepening of the ravines between the pillars and their dispersal. The proximity of the river and its current are dangerous factors for the pillars. The site contains remains of a wide variety of Cambrian species.
Information about the object:
on the website of the State Budgetary Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Natural Park “Lena Pillars”
on the website of the Natural Heritage Conservation Foundation
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
38th session of the World Heritage Committee - 2014 (Doha, Qatar)
No. S981rev- Bulgarian Historical and Archaeological Complex
Criteria:(ii) (vi)
The facility is located on the banks of the Volga River south of the confluence of the Kama River and south of the capital of Tatarstan, the city of Kazan. It contains evidence of the existence medieval city Bolgar, an ancient settlement of the Volga Bulgar people, which existed from the 7th to the 15th centuries. and was in the 13th century. the first capital of the Golden Horde. Bolgar demonstrates the historical and cultural relationships and transformations in Eurasia over several centuries, which played a decisive role in the formation of civilizations, customs and cultural traditions. The site represents important evidence of historical continuity and cultural diversity. It is a symbolic reminder of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars in 922 and remains sacred place pilgrimage of Tatars - Muslims.
Information about the object:
on the website of the Bulgarian State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve "Great Bolgar"
on the website of the Russian Commission for UNESCO
on the World Heritage Center website
37th sessionWorld Heritage Committee - 2013 (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Cambodia)
№C1411 - Ancient city of Tauride Chersonesos and its choir
Criteria: (ii) (v)
The object is a ruin ancient city, founded by the Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BC. e. on the northern coast of the Black Sea. The site includes six elements, including the ruins of a city and agricultural land, divided into several hundred rectangular plots of the same size, used for growing grapes; the products of the vineyards were intended for export and ensured the prosperity of Chersonesos until the 15th century. On the territory of the site there are several complexes of public buildings, residential areas and monuments of early Christianity. There are also ruins of Stone and Bronze Age settlements, Roman and medieval tower fortifications and water systems, as well as exceptionally well-preserved vineyards and dividing walls. In the 3rd century AD e. Chersonesus was known as the most successful wine-making center on the Black Sea and served as a link between Greece, the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the peoples of the northern Black Sea coast. Chersonesos is an outstanding example of the democratic organization of agriculture in the vicinity of an ancient city, reflecting the urban social structure.
Information about the object:
41st session of the World Heritage Committee - 2017 (Krakow, Poland)
№N1448rev - Landscapes of Dauria
Criteria: (ix) (x)
Situated between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, the site is a unique example of the Daurian steppe ecosystem, which begins in eastern Mongolia and extends through Russian Siberia to the northeastern border of China. The cyclical climate, with characteristic wet and dry periods, has contributed to the emergence of a wide variety of species and ecosystems that are important throughout the world. The various types of steppes present here, such as wet grasslands, forests and lake areas, are home to rare species such as white-naped cranes and bustards, as well as millions of rare and vulnerable migratory birds that are at risk of extinction. The park is also an important site on the migratory route of the Mongolian Dresden.
Information about the object:
No. C1525 - Assumption Cathedral and monastery of the island-city of Sviyazhsk
Criteria: (ii) (iv)
The Assumption Cathedral is located on the island-city of Sviyazhsk and is part of the monastery of the same name. Situated at the confluence of the Volga, Sviyaga and Shchuka rivers, at the crossroads of the Silk Road and the Volga River, Sviyazhsk was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. It was from this outpost that Ivan the Terrible began the conquest of the city of Kazan. The location and architecture of the Monastery of the Assumption testify to the existence of a political and missionary program developed by Tsar Ivan IV in order to expand the territory of the Moscow state. The cathedral's frescoes are among the rarest examples of Eastern Orthodox wall painting.
Information about the object:
Currently, the human environment is changing rapidly and at an increasing speed. The task of humanity is to maintain nature on the globe in the state necessary for life, health and well-being. It is also necessary to preserve, as far as possible, at least the most unique places in nature that are of particular value from a scientific point of view, areas that make up the habitats of valuable or endangered species of plants and animals. There are many unique places in nature, the disappearance of which would be an irreparable loss not only for the country in which they are located, but also for all of humanity as a whole.In most countries of the world, networks of so-called “specially protected natural areas” (SPNA) have been created for these purposes. These include the following natural objects:
Nizhnesvirsky Nature Reserve, Leningrad Region
Wildlife sanctuaries are created to preserve or restore some or all of nature's components and to maintain the overall ecological balance. Some types of economic activity are limited in these territories.
Gladyshevsky reserve, Leningrad region
Natural monuments are small areas that include naturally valuable objects: caves, rocks, waterfalls, groves of rare tree species, river valleys, lakes, etc.
Natural monument “Yastrebinoye Lake”, Leningrad region
Natural parks serve to protect natural complexes that have environmental, historical and aesthetic value. They are staffed with special staff.
Veppsky Forest Nature Park, Leningrad Region
B Have you ever been to one of the protected areas? What do you remember about this place?
In these territories, people preserve both rare, unique and typical areas of forests, swamps, meadows, reservoirs and other natural ecosystems, rare and common species of plants and animals in their natural habitat, bird flight routes, fish spawning routes and others natural objects and processes.
The entire nature of our planet is priceless and unique. Of course, from the natural areas subject to special protection, it is difficult to single out some of the most outstanding and valuable corners of nature of “exceptional significance” that are vitally important to preserve for the present and future generations. A special UNESCO program is dedicated to this, constituting the so-called World Heritage List.
The UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage came into force in 1975. Its main goal is to attract the forces of the world community to preserve unique cultural and natural objects. By mid-2012, the total number of countries participating in the Convention had already reached 189. Among UNESCO's international programs, this program is the most representative. To improve the effectiveness of the Convention, the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Fund were established in 1976.
The World Natural Heritage consists of mountains, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, islands, forests, caves, reefs, National parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries.
Of course, being on a par with the generally recognized world pearls of nature and culture is honorable and prestigious, but at the same time, it is also a great responsibility. To receive World Heritage status, a property must be of Outstanding Human Value and undergo a thorough peer review. In this case, the nominated natural object must meet at least one of the following four criteria:
Include unique natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic value;
Present outstanding examples of the major stages of Earth's history, including traces of ancient life, significant geological processes that continue to occur in the development of the forms of the earth's surface, significant geomorphological or physiographic features of the relief;
Present outstanding examples of important ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and plant and animal communities;
Include natural habitats of great importance for the conservation of biological diversity, including habitats of endangered species that represent an outstanding global asset from a scientific or conservation perspective.
The status of a World Natural Heritage site provides additional guarantees of the safety and integrity of unique natural complexes, increases the prestige of the territories, promotes the popularization of objects and the development of alternative types of environmental management, and ensures priority in attracting financial resources.
The first cultural and natural sites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List two years after the creation of the program. Among natural areas, the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Yellowstone (USA), Nahanni (Canada) and Simen (Ethiopia) national parks received heritage status. Over the past years, the List has become very representative both in terms of the regions of the planet represented and in the number of objects: by mid-2012 it already included 188 natural objects. Most of them are located in the USA and Australia (more than 10 objects in each country). Under the protection of the Convention are such world-famous natural monuments as the Great Barrier Reef, the Hawaiian Islands, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Video 62.
In Russia, the initiator of adding natural sites to the World Heritage List is primarily Greenpeace. By joining this UNESCO program, a new page was opened in the matter of nature conservation in Russia.
World Natural Heritage Sites of Russia
There are inaccuracies on the map, since currently 11 objects are already included in the list, including the Putorana Plateau and the Lena Pillars Natural Park. The first in our country to receive the status of a World Natural Heritage Site in 1995 was a natural complex called “Virgin Forests of Komi”.
The territory of this site is the largest of the remaining tracts of primary forests in Europe, the appearance of which is almost unchanged by human impact. Video 63.
The virgin forests of Komi are a real taiga treasury. There are more than 40 species of mammals (including brown bear, sable, elk), 204 species of birds (including the white-tailed eagle and osprey listed in the Red Book of Russia), 16 species of fish, the most valuable of which are considered glacial relics - char palia and Siberian grayling.
This territory stretches along the western slope of the Subpolar and Northern Urals for more than 300 km. The Ural mountain system has a significant influence on the climate. Natural complexes in some places form a complex mosaic: along narrow river valleys, taiga vegetation rises high into the mountains.
The main tree species - spruce and fir - are accompanied by Siberian cedar. Here the crystal clear tributaries of the Pechora originate and receive. Currently, the territory of the World Heritage Site “Virgin Komi Forests” is in danger due to illegal gold mining taking place here (1).Greenpeace Russia and other non-governmental organizations will fight to stop any environmental destruction activities on its territory.
Lake Baikal
Baikal is one of the greatest lakes on the planet, a lake of “superlatives”: the deepest (1637 meters), the oldest (about 25 million years), with the most diverse flora and fauna among fresh water bodies. Video 64.
The lake has a unique supply of fresh water in terms of volume and quality - more than 20% of the world's reserves). The Baikal depression is the central link of the Baikal rift zone, one of the largest ancient fault systems on Earth. The lake, together with its entire basin, is a unique and very fragile natural ecosystem, which ensures the natural process of formation of the purest waters. For Siberia, the climate of the Baikal coasts is relatively mild. For example, the number of sunny days per year here is higher than in many Black Sea resorts.In the anciently isolated Baikal depression, one of the richest and most unusual freshwater fauna in the world was formed, which is of exceptional value for the study of evolutionary processes.
Of the more than 2,630 species and subspecies of animals and plants found in the lake to date, more than 80% are found nowhere else in the world. Who hasn't heard of the famous Baikal omul or Baikal sturgeon? Two unique species of viviparous fish, representatives of a family endemic (2) to Lake Baikal - large and small golomyanka - are known to ichthyologists all over the world. The pyramid of the lake ecosystem is crowned by a typically marine mammal of origin - the seal, or Baikal seal.
Unfortunately, the unique nature of Lake Baikal is under threat (3).
WITH Have you heard about the actions that the public is taking to protect Baikal from pollution from the pulp and paper mill?
Another danger for Lake Baikal is posed by planned mining, illegal logging, forest fires, poaching, and oil spills.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka
The Kamchatka Peninsula is located at the junction of tectonic plates in a zone of active volcanism, where modern natural processes and the history of our planet are inseparable. Video 65.
Here, 30 active and about 300 extinct volcanoes, as well as more than 150 groups of thermal and mineral springs, are concentrated in a limited area. Dozens of geysers, hot springs, fumaroles (4), cascades of waterfalls, sharp peaks of ridges, mud pots and turquoise lakes, carpets of colorful algae give the fabulous appearance of the famous Valley of Geysers
The richest life is represented in the seas washing the coast of Kamchatka. Here are the growth zones for the larvae of the Kamchatka crab, the places where salmon fish come to spawn and where their juveniles roll into the sea. From summer to early winter, an amazing natural phenomenon can be observed on the rivers of the peninsula: millions of salmon in a continuous mass move along the rivers against the current to their spawning grounds.
Golden Mountains of Altai
The nature of this mountainous territory, located at the junction of Central Asia and Siberia, is distinguished by its striking originality. There are few places in the world with such a contrasting combination of different landscapes in such a small space. Video 66.
The flora and fauna of the region are diverse and in many ways unique. Here are the most significant subalpine and alpine meadows in the Siberian mountains. The color of the vegetation of the Southern Altai, where semi-deserts, steppes and tundra coexist, is also unique. The diversity of landscapes contributed to the emergence and preservation of endemic species in Altai, often occupying very small areas. Among the rare species of mammals, the snow leopard should be highlighted; it is one of the most beautiful cats of the world fauna. Very few of these animals have survived in Altai.
The geological history of the region is unique, “recorded” in the rocks of different ages composing it and imprinted in unusual relief forms. Such, for example, are the high terraces of the Katun River, striking in their grandeur. The grandiose Mount Belukha is the highest peak in Siberia (4506 meters). Altai river valleys are narrow, deep canyons.
The diversity of nature left its mark on the culture and religion of the indigenous population of this territory - the Altai. The achievements of Altai folk medicine are highly valued. As the outstanding philosopher, writer, traveler H.K. wrote. Roerich, “many peoples passed through Altai and left traces: Scythians, Huns, Turks.” Mountain Altai called an open-air museum.
Western Caucasus
The western part of the Greater Caucasus in terms of the diversity of flora and fauna and their preservation has no equal not only in the Caucasus region, but also among other mountainous regions of Europe and Western Asia. Video 67.
This is an area where a large number of endangered rare, endemic and relict species of plants and animals are concentrated. It is especially important that the little-changed habitat of the most vulnerable large mammals has been preserved here: bison, Caucasian red deer, Western Caucasian aurochs, chamois, Caucasian subspecies of brown bear, wolf and others.
The Caucasus Nature Reserve is practically the only habitat in the world for the mountain bison; outside this territory it is almost completely exterminated by poachers.
The territory is rich in picturesque objects: powerful waterfalls, pointed mountain peaks (up to 3360 meters), stormy mountain rivers with clear water, clean mountain lakes, huge trees (majestic fir trees up to 85 meters high and more than 2 meters in diameter), rare plants (orchids, etc.) and much more. An invaluable, unique natural complex has been preserved in the Western Caucasus.
Curonian Spit
The relief of this territory, located in the Kaliningrad region, is unique. A continuous strip of sand dunes 0.3 - 1 km wide, some of which are close to the highest in the world (up to 68 m), stretches along the peninsula for 70 km. Video 68.
Thanks to his geographical location and oriented from northeast to southwest, the spit serves as a “guide line” for birds of many species migrating from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe. Every year in spring and autumn, 10 - 20 million birds fly over the spit, a significant part of which stop here to rest and feed. Among the birds flying here there are many rare and endangered species listed in the Red Books of Russia, Europe and the world.
It is especially interesting that the spit is rich in cultural heritage sites. These are unique in their scale protective structures, extremely valuable from the point of view of history, science and art; fishermen's settlements harmoniously integrated into the landscape; archaeological sites and monuments of religious architecture. The multifaceted dune relief of the Curonian Spit, combined with the greenery of the forests, the whiteness of the sandy beaches and the vast blue of the Baltic Sea, has a high aesthetic value.
Central Sikhote-Alin
This territory, located in the south of the Far East within Russia, is one of the largest and least modified by humans centers of conservation of communities of ancient coniferous-deciduous and broad-leaved forests. Video 69.
It presents a lot of rare and endangered species of animals, a significant part of which is preserved only within its borders. The mountainous country of Sikhote-Alin is the last large integral territory in the world inhabited by the Amur tiger. Many other rare and endangered plant and animal species endemic to the region also need protection.
Picturesque relief forms, deep rivers, combined with an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna, the presence of plants and animals of exotic appearance, reminiscent of the tropics, give the nature of Sikhote-Alin completely unique features. There are many objects of aesthetic and recreational value located here: rock massifs that stand out picturesquely among the taiga, waterfalls, lakes and rapids, reefs, sandy bays of the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Ubsunur basin
The Ubsunur Basin, located on the territory of Mongolia and Russia, is one of the most original and unusual places in Central Asia. Video 70.
This region has preserved a unique complex of neighboring, closely interacting, extremely contrasting ecosystems - from taiga to desert. Glaciers, snowfields, mountain tundra of the alpine zone and subalpine meadows transform into a vast mountain-taiga belt, which gives way to forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert and even loose sand ridges, creating a natural phenomenon of exceptional beauty and diversity. It is impossible to see such diverse landscapes in such close proximity anywhere else in Eurasia. This territory has an unusually high species richness for temperate latitudes.
The relative sparse population of the territory and the absence of industrial facilities make it possible to preserve the basin as a natural laboratory for the study of biosphere processes
However, the value of the territory lies not only in the unique nature of the Ubsunur basin. The cultural heritage sites located here are of great importance - archaeological monuments, many of which have not yet been studied. Nowhere else in Central Asia are mounds found in such concentration as here (according to a rough estimate, there are up to 20 thousand of them); most of them are older than the Egyptian pyramids. Thousands of rock paintings and stone sculptures, the remains of medieval settlements and Buddhist chapels form a unique natural and cultural landscape.
Natural system of the Wrangel Island reserve»
The Wrangel Island Nature Reserve is located on the border of the East Siberian and Chukchi seas on the Wrangel and Herald islands with an adjacent 12-mile sea area. Video 71.
The 180th meridian passes through Wrangel Island, so the island lies in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. The relief is predominantly mountainous, highly dissected, with coastal lowlands in the north and south. There are 1,400 rivers and streams on the island, about 900 small lakes. The unique combination of natural-historical and landscape-climatic conditions, as well as inaccessibility, have led to a large number of endemic, rare and relict plant species on the islands. On the islands, as part of the ancient landmass that once united the Eurasian and North American continents, both Euro-Asian and American species of flora and fauna are widely represented.
Putorana Plateau
The plateau is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. It is a large basalt plateau located at the northern limit of the taiga and almost completely untouched by human economic activity. Video 72. Trap landforms (5) intersected by huge canyons are unusual and extremely interesting. The scale and number of waterfalls are impressive (the largest concentration is in Russia). There is a 108 m high waterfall here - one of the highest in our country. There are many lakes on the plateau, with depths of up to 400 m; the lake fjords are very picturesque.More than 1,300 plant species have been recorded on the Putorana Plateau. Here is the northern limit of distribution of the flying squirrel, lynx, sable, and capercaillie. The migration route of the world's largest population of wild reindeer, the Taimyr, runs through the plateau. It is also home to a little-studied, extremely interesting native form of bighorn sheep.
Lena Pillars
The Lena Pillars Natural Park is located in Central Yakutia, in the middle reaches of the Lena River. Video 73.
The park got its name because of the unique ridge of rocks - fabulous stone sculptures in the form of pillars and towers stretch along the banks of the Lena for tens of kilometers. The height of some reaches 100 meters. This natural monument is made of Cambrian limestone - a rock formed more than 500 million years ago.
In addition, in the park there are small areas of the desert landscape - unique permafrost ecosystems, as well as blowing sand-tuculans - isolated and independently developing sand ridges with slopes practically unfixed by vegetation. In the area of the Lena Pillars, scientists discovered burials of bone remains of ancient fauna: mammoth, bison, Lena horse, woolly rhinoceros.
The park is home to 21 species of rare and endangered plants listed in the Red Book. In the basin of the middle reaches of the Lena River, the fish fauna includes 31 species. Nesting sites for 101 species of birds have been established in the park. Animals common here are sable, brown bear, squirrel, elk, wapiti, chipmunk, musk deer, and the mountain forest form of wild reindeer.
Work to continue to include new areas on the World Heritage List continues. According to the rules, nominations for consideration by the World Heritage Committee must first be included in the national Tentative List. They are presented on the map of the World Natural Heritage of Russia (see above).
It is obvious that effective protection of such territories is impossible without the active involvement of public organizations and as many citizens of the country as possible. Let us remember that we have individual and collective responsibility for the preservation of natural complexes.
Read the resolution of the International Non-Governmental Organizations Forum on World Heritage Sites (6).
What can we, the residents of Russia, do to support the conservation and development of specially protected natural areas?
Each of these places is unique in its own way, and together they function, making up the unity and integrity of the life support system on the Planet. They create its unique, still far from fully understood and understood appearance.
