The Republic of Karelia was formed in 1920 and received its status in 1923. The capital is the city of Petrozavodsk. The western border coincides with the border of Finland. The northwest is washed by the White Sea. The relief is characterized as a hilly plain, and in the west it passes into the West Karelian Upland. The highest point of the republic is Mount Nuorunen.
Climatic features
The main part of Karelia is located in the zone of temperate continental climate. Despite the long winter, severe frosts are very rare here, and spring comes around mid-April. Although very often there are frosts at the end of May. Summer is quite short, and the temperature rarely rises above +20 degrees, at the end of August, cold winds and heavy rains already begin.
Unpredictable weather is observed at the location of Lake Onega and Ladoga, on the sea coast. On the sea coast, there is the largest cloud cover throughout Karelia.
Hydrology
Naturally, the number and types of plants and animals in Karelia is largely determined by water bodies, and there are more than 27 thousand rivers here. The largest include Chirka-Kem with a length of 221 km, Kem -191 km. Most of them have rapids and rocky shores.
There are 60,000 lakes in the republic, and together with swamps, the total surface area of water bodies is 2,000 square meters.
Plant world
There are 17 forestries on the territory of the republic. And the total area occupied by forests is 148 thousand square kilometers, which is 85% of the entire territory of Karelia.
The Karelian flora is considered relatively young, since it was fully formed not so long ago, about 15 thousand years ago. Needles and pine trees and spruces prevail in the republic. Closer to the Arkhangelsk region, Siberian larch is found.
From small-leaved species, widespread:
- birch fluffy and warty;
- grey alder;
- smooth elm;
- little-leaved linden;
- maple;
- aspen.
In swampy areas, on the banks of rivers, there is black alder.
But, first of all, Karelia is the land of berries. Cowberries, raspberries, buckthorn and juniper, bird cherry and common hazel grow here.
Protected nature reserves
The Red Book of Animals and Plants of Karelia has been drawn up for the rescue. But this is not the only step, there are 3 state natural reserves on the territory of the republic:
- Kivach.
- Kostomuksha.
- Part of the Kandalaksha Reserve.
There are ecological trails for travelers and scientific tourism.
There are 3 more in Kareliastate national parks: "Paanajärvi", "Kalevalsky" and partially Arkhangelsk park "Vodlozersky".
Besides this, the republic has 1 botanical garden, 45 reserves and 107 natural monuments. Reserves play an important role in the process of protection of plants and animals of Karelia listed in the Red Book. These are small protected areas where certain species of animals are protected, for example, populations of beavers or plants, for example, areas with large-fruited cranberries.
Fauna
There are about 63 species of mammals in the republic. Some species are listed in the Red Book of Animals of Karelia:
- flying squirrel;
- Ladoga ringed seal;
- brown earflaps.
Seal, like an animal of Karelia, lives on the shores of Lake Ladoga and on some Finnish lakes. This animal gathers in groups of 7-15 individuals and lives practically settled. The total number of seals in Karelia does not exceed 3 thousand.
And the most interesting thing is that even an ordinary hedgehog got into the list of protected animals. But this is an omnivore that can even eat a petrified viper without harm to itself.
Some animals of Karelia are accustomed individuals, for example, prominent representatives of North America are:
- Canadian beaver;
- US norm;
- muskrat.
And a raccoon dog came here from the Far East, which quickly acclimatized and feels great to this day.
In the 60s of the last centurywild boars have appeared in the republic, roe deer, badger, bear and wolves are found in the south.
Feathers
It is hard to imagine the fauna of Karelia without birds. There are about 285 species in the republic, 36 of which are already listed in the Red Book. These include the white-tailed eagle, there are 40 pairs of them in Karelia.
The most common are birds of the corvid genus, there are black grouse, capercaillie, hazel grouse and white partridges. And in the spring you can see geese that fly here from warm countries. Many of their predatory representatives of birds:
- hawk;
- marsh harrier;
- owl;
- golden eagle.
Since there are many water bodies in Karelia, therefore, there are many waterfowl representatives of birds:
- loon;
- duck;
- seagulls;
- sandpiper;
- common eider.
In the Red Book there are many birds living in the territory of the republic:
| family | species |
| gulls | blush, tern, little tern |
| owl | eagle owl, pygmy owl, snowy owl and gray owl |
| pigeons | klintukh |
| falcons | merlin, peregrine falcon, kestrel and gyrfalcon |
| larks | forest and horned lark |
| woodpecker | white-backed |
| oatmeal | Lapland plantain |
| snipe | bartailed godwit and great snipe |
| Shrikes | grey shrike |
| thrushes | Coot redstart, white-throated |
| dipper | dipper |
| titmouse | blue tit |
| oystercatchers | mainland oystercatcher |
| pheasants | grey partridge and quail and others |
Reptiles
Karelia is poor in reptiles. Only 5 species live on the territory of the republic:
- common viper;
- shawti;
- common snake;
- fast lizard;
- viviparous lizard.
Which animals in Karelia are protected from reptiles:
| Common snake | This is a non-venomous snake that hides at the sight of a person. If you manage to catch the snake, then it immediately begins to hiss, sharply throwing its head forward, if all this does not help, then it begins to secrete a “stinky” liquid, in extreme cases, it pretends to be dead. The largest males can reach 2.5 meters in length. |
| Quick Lizard | They also call it agile, it belongs to the family of real lizards. The average size is 25 cm, there are large individuals reaching 35 cm. The lizard can shed its tail, which grows again within a month. They eat caterpillars, insects, larvae, and may even eat their offspring. |
Inhabitants of water bodies
Because of the rich water supply of the republic, there is a correspondingly huge amount of fish. To date, there are 60 species, and together with acclimatized species - 115, which are conditionally combined into 16 families.
Aquatic animals of Karelia are conditionally divided into:
| Entering Views | Sig, salmon, smelt, trout-trout. And they are called so because they spend almost their entire lives in the sea or in the lake, and come to spawn in rivers. The spawning period is in autumn. In the spring, the fry are already cruising into the reservoir, where they will live permanently. |
| Lake-river | Pike, zander, whitefish, brook trout, perch, grayling. |
| Marine | Navaga, cod, whitefish, herring, flatfish. |
The largest variety of fish species in the Onega and Ladoga lakes, ruff, salmon, roach and burbot live here. Lake Syamozero, Kuito and the Pisto River are no less rich in representatives of the aquatic fauna.
In Karelia, fishing is an ancient craft, but today few fishermen share their fishing spots. For the trophyfishing is not suitable for any lake, in order to catch a valuable breed, you will have to go to the north of the republic and best of all with a guide.
Insects
Naturally, what kind of nature can be imagined without insects and animals of Karelia. The photo of some butterflies is impressive.
A lot of butterflies got into the Red Book of the Republic:
- poplar ribbon;
- birch silkworm;
- mourner;
- swallowtail;
- blue sash;
- violet mother-of-pearl.
Small numbers in the territory of Karelia of both the common rhino and the greater bark elytra.
However, especially in the southern part of the republic, not far from Segozero, there are huge tick settlements. Tourists are always warned about this, their activity falls on the period from May to June. Therefore, in these places it is recommended to wear closed clothing, up to jackets with hoods. There are many mosquitoes and horseflies, midges in the forests of Karelia.
