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

The nature of Russia is amazing and diverse . Kamchatka is a unique mountainous region. It is distinguished by the uniqueness of the landscape, the harsh climate, the richness of the plant and animal world.

Geography of the region

Kamchatka, the nature of which constantly presents surprises to researchers, is a peninsula in the northeast of Eurasia. It is washed by the Okhotsk and Bering seas, and also by the Pacific Ocean. It has an elongated shape, extends from north to south for 1200 km, its maximum width does not exceed 440 km. The area of Kamchatka is about 270 thousand square meters. Km.

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

The western shore is flat and low, sometimes swampy. The eastern shore is a steep rocky line, cut by bays and bays.

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

Zone of modern volcanism

What is interesting about Kamchatka? Nature generously endowed it 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 province.

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

In Kamchatka is the highest volcano of Eurasia - Klyuchevskaya Sopka, whose peak reaches 4750 meters. In addition to its "growth", it is distinguished by an absolutely correct classical form. Around it there are 12 smaller volcanoes. The whole group is declared a natural park.

In the south of the peninsula is another group of volcanoes, called "Home". It includes Kozelsky (2190 meters), Avachinsky (2,751 meters) and Koryak (3,346 meters) volcanoes.

Avacha, Mutnovsky and Karymsky are one of the most active volcanoes. The last eruption of Avacha 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 the creation of volcanoes. The entire scientific world observes the unique processes of their birth, occurring literally in front of our eyes, as in prehistoric times.

The peninsula is a seismically active zone. Periodically it is shaken by earthquakes, the strength of individual reaches 9-10 points.

Climate

Kamchatka is dominated by a humid and cool climate. In the lowlands it is colder and windy than in the highlands. Snow, with frequent snowstorms, comes in November and actually lasts until the end of April. Only in May there is a short rapid spring, and behind it is the same short summer, often rainy, sometimes quite hot, but always blossoming with the riot of colors of flowering herbs. 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, bushes and grasses. Some of which are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere else on the planet.

Alpine-type vegetation predominates on the coast; Above 1400 meters above sea level - mountain tundra, even higher - wastelands with rare vegetation. Characteristic of the peninsula is tall grass. Herbs grow to 3-4 meters! In spring and summer, they blossom violently, so the Kamchatka expanses, as in a kaleidoscope, flood the waves of color - the dominance of greenery is replaced by a lilac color, which is gradually diluted with white, and then replaced by dense purple, which in turn replaces the rich orange, and then - brightly -Yellow and red. Each color lasts about a week. The pride of the peninsula is the Venus shoe orchid , the Reeder bathing vat, the meadow-red pear, the rose topus and other plants.

The fauna of Kamchatka is also diverse: 500 species of fish, 300 species of birds, 90 species of mammals - sable, ermine, flying squirrel, hare, otter, lynx, reindeer, polar wolf, fox and others. Of predators, the most dangerous is the Kamchatka brown bear. The most numerous representatives of land fauna are insects, accounting for 80% of all the combined species of animals on the peninsula.

Economy of the region

An unrepeatable region is Kamchatka. Her nature is harsh, colorful and gorgeous. The harsh climate, the low population and the undeveloped nature of most of the territory, mean that this region is one of the most ecologically clean places on the planet. There is no railway, the main transport connection is air (airplanes and helicopters), sea and automobile.

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

In the region, fisheries, metallurgy and agriculture are mainly developed. Tourism has been developing very fast in recent decades. Kamchatka, whose nature is unusual, colorful and harsh, attracts thousands of extreme people who not only ride on skis or dog sleds, but also conquer mountain peaks, descend into the craters of volcanoes, visit the Valley of Geysers. The peculiarity of Kamchatka routes is their inaccessibility and unpredictability, so you should definitely use the services of an experienced guide.