Karelian region is located in the very north of Russia. From the west, it borders with Finland, and its eastern shores are washed by the White Sea. This region is famous for its amazing fauna and flora, which largely retained its original appearance. The forest of Karelia holds many secrets, it is dotted with rivers, and in its depths a huge number of lakes are hidden.
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
Forests cover more than half of the territory of the Republic of Karelia. Another 30% are swamps. In total, the forest of Karelia occupies 14 million hectares, 9.5 million of which are covered with solid dense forest. A third of this territory is protected, the remaining 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 formed under the influence of the movement of glaciers. Today, as a memory of the events of past eras, “sheep’s foreheads” rise above the region - a kind of white smooth rocks carved by gigantic ice.
The southern regions are completely covered with dense and high pine forest. The northern forest of Karelia is lesser in height and density.
Coniferous and deciduous trees of Karelia
Sandy soil explains the fact that pine reigns in Karelia. She owns nearly 70% of the forests. Spruce grows on clay and loamy soils, mainly in the southern region of the middle taiga strip.
Some isolated sections of the coast of Lake Onega are covered with spruce, combined with linden and maple. The coniferous forests of Karelia in the south-east of the republic are mixed with Siberian larch.
From deciduous trees in the region grows fluffy birch, gray alder, aspen. The famous Karelian birch, which has a variegated color, high density and extraordinary twisting 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, shift.
Climate
The forest of Karelia was formed under the influence of a harsh northern climate. The northern region is adjacent to the Arctic Circle border, and a very small part is located even in its limit.
The forest is characterized by a typical taiga ecosystem, but the surroundings of Levozero, located in the very north of Karelia, are the tundra.
White nights and seasonal features of the region
Winter in these parts is long. In the northern regions, there are 190 days with sub-zero temperatures in the year, and in the south - about 150. Autumn begins in August and ends around mid-October. Water bodies freeze, winds intensify, and the intensity and duration of rainfall increase.
If you are attracted to the autumn forest of Karelia, sung by many artists and poets, go there in late August or early September, otherwise you will have the opportunity to admire the taiga winter.
However, winter in these parts is not so scary. Even in the middle of autumn, an impressive amount of snow falls in Karelia, which either melts or falls with flakes again. Snow cover lasts almost six months at a level of 60-70 cm (in especially snowy winters - even up to a meter). Thaws are not uncommon for winter, when the sun shines like spring.
Another feature to be aware of these places is white nights. In summer, daylight hours exceed 23 hours. Darkness practically does not occur, and the peak of the white night falls in June, when there is not even twilight. But there is, of course, the other side of the coin - the polar night, falling to the ground 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 - approximately 66 degrees north latitude.
Karelian lakes
Forests are not the only natural wealth of Karelia. This region is also famous for its lakes. It has two of the largest lakes in Europe - Ladoga and Onega. Lakes play a very important role in the life of the forest ecosystem. From time immemorial, the indigenous inhabitants of the region - Karelians - settled on their banks. They were engaged not only in hunting, but also in fishing. Lakes are also important for animals that inhabit the forests of Karelia. Photos of these places attract tourists. People today prefer to settle near forest lakes.
The total number of Karelian lakes reaches 60 thousand. A lot in these parts and rivers - about 11 thousand. All reservoirs of the region belong to the basins of the White and Baltic Seas.
Animal world of forests
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, moose, foxes, wild reindeer, moles, shrews, squirrels, mice predominate. Hedgehogs are less common and only in the south. Muskrats settled in many reservoirs of southern and middle Karelia. The hare has a wide commercial value. Of the reptiles, many snakes and vipers. But snakes can be found only in the southern regions, in the north there are almost none.
Forests of the Republic of Karelia is a home for 200 species of birds, most of which are migratory. Capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, and partridge constantly live here. Waterfowl are diverse: loons, chomga, ducks, geese, swans. There are waders, hawks, bitterns, osprey, buzzards, cranes and corncrake, many different species of owls in the forests. Woodpeckers and blackbirds are also frequent here, and in the autumn waxwings flock to these edges. A particularly attentive tourist can even meet a golden eagle in the Karelian forests. Black grouse and capercaillie are settled everywhere.
The islands on the White Sea are famous for their eider settlements, which have high-quality fluff. It, like other rare birds, is forbidden to hunt.
Insects
If you plan to visit the fabulous Karelian forests and consult with experienced tourists, you probably have to periodically listen to horror stories about mosquitoes the size of a sparrow, which are simply teeming with wild thickets, and even large cities of this northern region.
Size information, of course, is exaggerated, but there is no smoke without fire. There are a huge number of mosquitoes, and they are quite large. And besides mosquitoes, forests and swamps, Karelia is inhabited by an incredible amount of various bloodsucking species that are especially active during the flowering of cloudberries. But by the end of August, activity is weakening, and with the first September frosts it completely disappears.
Tourism in Karelia
Two thirds of the republic are open to tourists. It is unlikely that they will be able to get into the reserve, since entry into all security zones is simply prohibited. And there is nothing special to do there, in the taiga cold and the pristine wilderness.
It is better to go to regions with a more or less developed tourist infrastructure. And she, it is worth mentioning, is everywhere still in its infancy. There is no need to talk about a high level of service yet. But is this why tourists go to the taiga?
The leader in the top is Valaam - an ancient monastery complex on one of the Ladoga lakes. You can go here on your own or as part of an excursion group. Not less attention deserves a monastery in the city of Kizhi. Both of these places are located outside the Karelian forest, but those who travel to these parts from afar, try to visit not only the wild wilderness of pristine nature, but also visit holy places.
Many researchers claim that many geoactive anomalies, called places of power, are located in Karelia. By the way, Valaam and Kizhi are also among them and are considered one of the most powerful. In the wilderness hides many ancient pagan temples built by the Sami and Lapps, the indigenous inhabitants of these places, which were subsequently crowded out by the ancestors of modern Karelians and Slavs. Some daredevils go to the Karelian forests precisely for these mystical places. Think carefully: are you ready to meet the unknown?
If you decide to see with your own eyes what forest in Karelia, plan a late afternoon at any time of the year. Travel agencies offer guests and summer wild vacations, and Christmas tours, and rafting along the obstinate rivers, and many other programs that maximize the beauty of lakes and forests. Of course, in terms of the tourism industry of Karelia there is still room to grow, but even the current level will satisfy the demanding vacationer. It offers rental of any water transport, horseback riding, safari (in season, of course), fishing. You can go on vacation even without equipment and gear - everything can be rented.
Camping in the forest
Well, if a civilized, organized by a team of professionals rest in the forests of Karelia is not your topic, you can visit these places in the company of such avid hikers. Ideally, if there is at least one person in the group who has experience hiking in Karelia. Not everywhere you can pitch tents and burn bonfires, and some amazing places are not at all on the maps. For example, it is almost impossible to get to the Isle of Spirits by Okhta on your own - an experienced guide will be required here.
Camping sites are organized in large numbers on the shores of forest lakes and rapids. These places are especially attractive for lovers of water sports. Kayakers in Karelia are not uncommon.
In order not to have problems with the law and your own conscience, observe safety rules when organizing bonfires. Do not leave any traces in the wild forest about your stay in the form of packages of drinks, food and household garbage. This can result in a large fine.
Folk forestry
The forest of Karelia is ready to generously share wealth all summer. Here you can pick up cranberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, blueberries, raspberries, blueberries. Many in these parts and mushrooms. Locals are quiet hunts all season. If you are unlucky with either mushrooms or berries, ask the residents of any roadside settlement. Surely there are many who want to offer you local delicacies for a moderate fee.
In ancient times, people also hunted by hunting. The valuable fur-bearing animal, which even today is full of Karelian forests, was valued far beyond the borders of the region. The ancestors of the Karelians conducted active trade, selling their goods to merchants from all over Europe.
