Kamchatka: nature of the region, flora and fauna, interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:54

The nature of Russia is amazing and diverse. Kamchatka is a unique mountainous region. It is distinguished by the originality of the landscape, the harsh climate, the richness of flora and fauna.

Geography of the region

Kamchatka, whose nature constantly surprises researchers, is a peninsula in the northeast of Eurasia. It is washed by the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea, as well as the Pacific Ocean. It has an elongated shape, stretches from north to south for 1200 km, its maximum width does not exceed 440 km. The area of Kamchatka is approximately 270 thousand square meters. km.

The peninsula is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, the cross section of which is only about 90 km.

The western coast is flat and low, swampy in places. The east coast is a steep rocky line cut by coves and bays.

The peninsula is crossed by many rivers. Almost all of them originate in glaciers or at the foot of mountains. The water in them is very clean, suitable for drinking without purification and boiling. The largest river is Kamchatka. There are also many lakes.

Zone of modern volcanism

What is interesting about Kamchatka? Naturegenerously endowed her with volcanoes. There are more than 2.5 thousand volcanic cones - about 300 extinct and more than 30 active volcanoes. They are the main attraction of the peninsula. Poets call them stone torches, they are depicted on the coat of arms and the flag of the region.

One of the most interesting active volcanoes in Kamchatka is Ichinsky, whose height is 3621 meters. It strikes the imagination with its size and shape. A very unusual and beautiful sight - periodic emissions of blue obsidian.

Kamchatka is home to the highest volcano in Eurasia - Klyuchevskaya Sopka, whose peak reaches 4750 meters. In addition to its "growth", it is distinguished by an absolutely correct classical form. There are 12 smaller volcanoes around it. The entire group has been declared a natural park.

In the south of the peninsula there is another group of volcanoes called "Home". It includes Kozelsky (2190 meters), Avachinsky (2751 meters) and Koryaksky (3456 meters) volcanoes.

Avacha, Mutnovsky and Karymsky are one of the most active volcanoes. The last Avacha eruption was recorded in 1991, and Karymsky has been showing continuous activity since 1996.

From a scientific point of view, Kamchatka is a natural laboratory for creating volcanoes. The entire scientific world observes the unique processes of their birth, taking place literally before our eyes, as in prehistoric times.

The peninsula is a seismically active zone. Earthquakes periodically shake it, the strength of some reaches 9-10 points.

Climate

OnKamchatka is dominated by a humid and cool climate. The lowlands are colder and windier than the highlands. Snowy, with frequent snowstorms, winter comes in November and actually lasts until the end of April. Only in May does a short swift spring pass, and after it the same short summer, often rainy, sometimes quite hot, but always colored with a riot of colors of flowering grasses. Autumn is mostly cloudy and warm.

Flora and fauna

The wild nature of Kamchatka is practically untouched by man. In total, Kamchatka has about 1200 species of plants - trees, shrubs and herbs. Some of which are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else on the planet.

Alpine-type vegetation prevails on the coast; above 1400 meters above sea level - mountain tundra, even higher - wastelands with sparse vegetation. The peninsula is characterized by tall grasses. Grasses grow up to 3-4 meters! In spring and summer, they bloom wildly, thanks to which the Kamchatka expanses, like in a kaleidoscope, are flooded with waves of color - the dominance of greenery is replaced by lilac, which is gradually diluted with white, and then replaced by deep purple, which in turn replaces rich orange, and then - bright -yellow and red. Each color lasts about a week. The pride of the peninsula is the lady's slipper orchid, Rider's bathing suit, meat-red wintergreen, pop-ear rose and other plants.

The fauna of Kamchatka is also diverse: 500 species of fish, 300 species of birds, 90 speciesmammals - sable, ermine, flying squirrel, hare, otter, lynx, reindeer, polar wolf, fox and others. Of the predators, the Kamchatka brown bear is considered the most dangerous. The most numerous representatives of the terrestrial fauna are insects, which make up 80% of all animal species of the peninsula taken together.

Economy of the region

A unique land - Kamchatka. Her nature is harsh, colorful and magnificent. The harsh climate, low population and undeveloped areas of most of the territory make this area one of the most environmentally friendly places on the planet. There is not a single railway here, the main transport links are air (planes and helicopters), sea and road.

The administrative center and the largest city is Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with a population of 200 thousand people. Other significant settlements are Yelizovo, Paratunka, Milkovo, Esso, Anavgay, Ust-Kamchatsk, Kozerevsk and others.

The region is mainly developed fishing, metallurgical industry and agriculture. Tourism has been developing at a very fast pace in recent decades. Kamchatka, whose nature is unusual, colorful and harsh, attracts thousands of extreme people who not only go skiing or dog sledding, but also conquer mountain peaks, go down into the craters of volcanoes, and visit the Valley of Geysers. A feature of Kamchatka routes is their inaccessibility and unpredictability, so you should definitely use the services of an experienced guide.