Karelian region is located in the very north of Russia. From the west it borders on Finland, and its eastern shores are washed by the White Sea. This region is famous for its amazing fauna and flora, which has largely retained its original appearance. The forest of Karelia keeps many secrets, it is dotted with rivers, and a huge number of lakes are hidden in its depths.
Today these places are protected by the state. Hunting and deforestation are strictly controlled. The forest plays an important role in the development of tourism infrastructure, and is also of great industrial importance.
Encyclopedic data
More than half of the territory of the Republic of Karelia is covered with forests. Another 30% is occupied by swamps. In total, the forest of Karelia occupies 14 million hectares, 9.5 million of which are covered with continuous dense forest. A third of this territory is protected, the rest of the forests are used industrially.
Geographic features
Karelia has a peculiar relief. Its territory is like a patchwork carpet, on which you can see mirror lakes, coniferous forests, swamps, wastelands, birch groves, hills. In prehistoric times, the landscape was shaped by the movement of glaciers. Today, as a memory of the events of bygone eras, “sheep's foreheads” rise above the region - a kind of white smooth rocks carved by giant ice.
The southern regions are completely covered with dense and tall pine forests. The northern forest of Karelia is smaller and denser.
Coniferous and deciduous trees of Karelia
Sandy soil explains the fact that pine reigns in Karelia. It owns almost 70% of the forests. Spruce grows on clay and loamy soils, mainly in the southern region of the middle taiga zone.
Some isolated areas of the coast of Lake Onega are covered with spruce forest, combined with linden and maple. Coniferous forests of Karelia in the south-east of the republic are mixed with Siberian larch.
From deciduous trees in the region grows downy birch, gray alder, aspen. The famous Karelian birch, which has a variegated color, high density and unusual graininess of wood, is found only in the southern edges of the region.
These places are also rich in medicinal plants. Wild plants grow here: bearberry, lily of the valley, orchis, 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 its limit.
The forest is characterized by a typic altaiga ecosystem, but the surroundings of Levozero, located in the very north of Karelia, are tundra.
White nights and seasonal features of the region
Winter in these parts is long. In the northern regions, there are 190 days with minus temperatures a year, in the southern regions - about 150. Autumn begins in August and ends around mid-October. Reservoirs are freezing, winds are getting stronger, the intensity and duration of precipitation is increasing.
If you are attracted by the autumn forest of Karelia, sung by many artists and poets, go there at the end of August or at the very beginning of September, otherwise you will have the opportunity to admire the taiga winter.
However, the winter in these parts is not so terrible. Even in the middle of autumn, an impressive amount of snow falls in Karelia, which either melts or falls in flakes again. Snow cover remains for almost half a year at the level of 60-70 cm (in especially snowy winters - even up to a meter). For winter, thaws are not uncommon, when the sun shines like spring.
Another feature you should know about these places is the white nights. In summer, daylight hours exceed 23 hours. Darkness practically does not occur, and the peak of the white night falls on June, when there is not even twilight. But there is, of course, the other side of the coin - the polar night, which descends to the earth for almost 3 months. True, in the south of the republic this phenomenon is weakly expressed. For white nights, you need to go further north - about 66 degrees north latitude.
Karelian lakes
Forestsnot the only natural we alth of Karelia. This region is also famous for its lakes. It contains two of the largest lakes in Europe - Ladoga and Onega. Lakes play a very important role in the life of the forest ecosystem. Since ancient times, the indigenous inhabitants of the region, the Karelians, have settled on their banks. They were engaged not only in hunting, but also in fishing. The lakes are also important for the animals that inhabit the forests of Karelia. Photos of these places attract tourists. Even today people prefer to settle near forest lakes.
The total number of Karelian lakes reaches 60 thousand. There are many rivers in these parts - about 11 thousand. All reservoirs of the region belong to the basins of the White and B altic Seas.
Forest wildlife
The fauna of Karelia is very diverse. Among mammals, lynxes, martens, American and Russian minks, otters, ferrets, weasels, wolverines, ermines, badgers, brown bears, wolves, raccoon dogs, elks, foxes, wild reindeer, moles, shrews, squirrels, and mice predominate. Hedgehogs are less common and only in the south. Muskrats settled in many reservoirs of southern and middle Karelia. The white hare has a wide commercial value. Of the reptiles, there are many snakes and vipers. But snakes can only be found in the southern regions, there are almost no snakes in the north.
The forests of the Republic of Karelia are home to 200 species of birds, most of which are migratory. Capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, partridges constantly live here. Diverse waterfowl: loons, grebes, ducks, geese, swans. There are sandpipers, hawks, bitterns, ospreys, buzzards, cranes and corncrakes in the forests,many different kinds of owls. Woodpeckers and thrushes are also not uncommon here, and waxwings flock to these parts in autumn. A particularly attentive tourist can meet even a golden eagle in the Karelian forests. Black grouse and wood grouse settle everywhere.
The islands on the White Sea are famous for the settlements of the eider, which has high-quality down. It, like other rare birds, is forbidden to hunt.
Insects
If you are planning to visit the fabulous Karelian forests and seek the advice of seasoned tourists, you probably hear horror stories about mosquitoes the size of sparrows, which simply teem with wild thickets, and even large cities of this northern region.
Information about the size, of course, exaggerated, but there is no smoke without fire. There are a huge number of mosquitoes here, and they are quite large. And besides mosquitoes, the forests and swamps of Karelia are inhabited by an unthinkable number of various bloodsuckers, which are especially active during the flowering period of cloudberries. But by the end of August, activity weakens, and with the first September frosts, it completely disappears.
Tourism in Karelia
Two-thirds of the republic is open to tourists. It is unlikely that it will be possible to get into the reserve, since entry into all protected zones is simply prohibited. And there is nothing special to do there, in the taiga cold and pristine wilderness.
It is better to go to regions with a more or less developed tourist infrastructure. And it is worth mentioning that it is everywhere still in its infancy. There is no need to talk about a high level of service yet. But forIs this what tourists go to the taiga with?
Leading in the top Valaam - an ancient monastery complex on one of the lakes of Ladoga. You can go here on your own or as part of an excursion group. The monastery in the city of Kizhi deserves no less attention. Both of these places are located outside the Karelian forest, however, those who travel to these parts from afar try to visit not only the wild wilderness of primeval nature, but also visit holy places.
Many researchers claim that there are many geoactive anomalies in Karelia, called places of power. By the way, Valaam and Kizhi are also among them and are considered one of the most powerful. In the wilderness of the forest, there are many ancient pagan temples built by the Saami and Lapps, the indigenous inhabitants of these places, who were later supplanted by the ancestors of modern Karelians and Slavs. Some daredevils go to the Karelian forests just for the sake of these mystical places. Think carefully: are you ready to face the unknown?
If you decide to see with your own eyes what kind of forest is in Karelia, plan your trip for any time of the year. Travel agencies offer guests wild summer vacations, Christmas tours, rafting on obstinate rivers, and many other programs that maximize the beauty of lakes and forests. Of course, in terms of the tourist industry in Karelia, there is still room for growth, 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 torest even without equipment and gear - everything can be rented.
Camping in the woods
Well, if a civilized, organized by a team of professionals vacation in the forests of Karelia is not your thing, you can visit these places in the company of the same avid hikers. Ideally, if there is at least one person in the group who has experience of hiking in Karelia. Not everywhere you can pitch tents and burn fires, and some amazing places are not on the maps at all. For example, it is almost impossible to get to the Island of Spirits along the Okhta on your own - you will need an experienced guide here.
Camping places are organized in large numbers on the shores of forest lakes and rapids. These places are especially attractive for lovers of water sports. Kayakers are not uncommon in Karelia.
In order not to have problems with the law and your own conscience, follow the safety rules when organizing fires. Do not leave any traces of your stay in the wild forest in the form of food and drink packages and household garbage. This could result in a large fine.
Folk forest crafts
The forest of Karelia is ready to generously share its we alth all summer long. Here you can collect cranberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, blueberries, raspberries, blueberries. There are many mushrooms in these parts. Locals are engaged in quiet hunting all season long. If you are not lucky with either mushrooms or berries, ask the inhabitants of any roadside settlement. Surely there will be many who want to offer you local delicacies for a moderate fee.
In ancient times, people also hunted. Valuable fur animal, which even todayKarelian forests abound, valued far beyond the borders of the region. The ancestors of the Karelians were active in trade, selling their goods to merchants from all over Europe.
Industrial value of the forest
Today, the main areas are not only the extraction of furs, the collection of berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants, but also the pulp and paper, as well as the woodworking industry. Procurers extract standing timber in Karelia and send it to many regions of Russia. A large part of the forest is exported. To maintain a balance, the state strictly controls deforestation and planting young trees.
