The nature of the Leningrad region is striking in its naturalness and great diversity. Yes, you will not see stunning and breathtaking landscapes here. But the beauty of this region is completely different - in quiet harmony and successful combination of hills with smooth outlines of forests, swamps and lakes covered in haze and fog. This article is about the natural features of the area, as well as its most beautiful places.
Features of the nature of the Leningrad region
The territory of the region is characterized by flatness, because the region in terms of orography is completely within the Russian Plain. Therefore, the absolute heights here do not exceed 291 meters (Mount Gapselga). Despite this, the relief of the region cannot be called boring. After all, both lowlands and hilly uplands are represented here. Of great interest is the so-called B altic-Ladoga Glint - an impressive ledge that crosses the region from west to east for almost 200 kilometers. It reaches a height of 50-60 meters.
Features of the nature of the Leningrad region are also manifested in the climate. It has very mild winters and fairly cool summers. At the same time, the warmestsouthwestern corner of the region. During the year, this region receives up to 700 mm of precipitation, with most of it falling in the summer-autumn period.
The nature of the Leningrad region is distinguished by a very dense hydrographic grid. There are up to 1800 lakes here (including the largest in Europe - Ladoga), and if you add all the rivers of the region into one, you get an impressive figure of 50 thousand kilometers! In addition, there are a lot of swamps and wetlands in the region.
Flora and fauna of the region
The northern part of the Leningrad region is occupied by taiga, and the southern part - by a zone of mixed forests. Therefore, it is not surprising that the percentage of forest cover for the region is quite high, it is 55%. Meadow and cultivated landscapes (arable land) predominate only around St. Petersburg. Birch, alder, linden, oak, pine, spruce and ash - these are the trees that the rich nature of the Leningrad Region can boast of.
The fauna of the region is quite diverse, which is represented mainly by forest species. So, here you can often meet a squirrel, a hare, a polecat, a marten or a roe deer. Beavers, elks, wolves and foxes, bears and wild boars are also found on the territory of the region. However, they are not so easy to meet in the forests.
The Leningrad region is characterized by a very rich world of feathered inhabitants (up to 300 species of birds), and about 80 species of different fish are found in the rivers and lakes of the region.
Nature Conservation of the Leningrad Region
The natural resources of the region are tryingsave and save. For this purpose, a lot of nature protection areas and objects have been created in the region. Among them are the following:
- one national nature reserve;
- one complex federal nature reserve;
- twelve reserves of regional significance;
- one regional natural park;
- twenty-five monuments of nature.
In 1999, the Red Book of the region was published, which collected rare and endangered representatives of the flora and fauna of the region.
Natural monuments of the Leningrad Region are represented by complex, geological and hydrological objects. They are located in different areas of this charming region. Let us dwell only on a few of the most famous monuments, which are so rich in the nature of the Leningrad region.
Radon springs in Lopukhinka
In the Lomonosovsky district, near the village of Lopukhinka, there is one of the natural monuments of the region - a complex of unique radon sources and lakes. The total area of the protected area is 270 hectares. The natural monument itself was established in 1976.
Here, many springs come to the surface, which formed a narrow and beautiful valley of the Lopukhinka River in the form of a canyon up to 30 meters deep. Trout is found in this river, but catching it here, of course, is prohibited. Within the natural monument there are small areas of oak-elm forests.
Staraya Ladoga complex monument of nature
The most beautiful natural monument with an area of 220 hectares can be seen when arriving in the Volkhov district of the Leningrad region. The nature of this wonderful place attracts many travelers. After all, here you can see rocky geological outcrops of the Ordovician age, admire the mysterious ancient barrows, visit the caves where bats hibernate.
The natural monument was founded in 1976. It is located on both banks of the river. Volkhov. On its territory there are four artificial caves, the largest of which is Tanechkina. They are known as the largest wintering ground for bats in the entire northwest of Russia. In these caves, animals spend about seven months a year - from late October to June.
Sablinsky natural monument
In the Tosnensky district of the Leningrad region there is a unique place - a whole complex of natural and historical attractions. Just forty kilometers from St. Petersburg, this natural monument is located with waterfalls, rocky canyons, caves and ancient burial mounds. Here, tourists can also visit the former estate of Alexei Tolstoy - the Pustynka farm.
Within the natural monument there are two small but very picturesque waterfalls: Tosnensky and Sablinsky. The height of the latter is about three meters. Of great interest here are also artificial caves dating back to the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. They mined sand, which was used forglass production. At that time, the caves provided a huge demand in St. Petersburg for this material. Today, four large and six small caves are known in Sablino.
In conclusion…
The nature of the Leningrad region - like a modest, but very beautiful Russian girl - quietly, but proudly declares itself. There are all conditions for a good rest of a person: charming landscapes, cool forests, lakes and rivers with a lot of fish. In these parts, you can really have a great rest after hard and gray city everyday life.
