Lake Baikal

LakeBaikal.In the midth of athinly populated wildness lies the foremost natural wonder - lake Baikal. It sthe oldest lake in the world - its age is about 25-30 million years. Scientistsestimated that more than 1500 life forms live in and around this lake, whichcan be found nowhere else on Earth. It s the world s largest reservoir ofdrinking water.It occupies the territory of 12000 m2 and 400 kmlong. It contains 1 6 of fresh water found on the planet and in spite of thevast pollution by the nearby industry the most of it still remains unspoilt.About 30 uninhabited isles are scattered throughout the lake.Most of thecoastline lies in an environmentally protected area.The most numerousof the indigenous people are Buryats.

They has been living here from untoldcenturies, even before Yanguis Khan swept through during the early XIIA feeling oftranquillity settles over the coastal village in long summer afternoons. Avehicle driving along the village s mainstreet is a rare sight.

A motorcyclewith a sidecar is the most popular civil transport and a passenger car stillremains an object of curiosity for children.The area s largestcity is Ulan-Ude which was first established by the Russians as an outpost fortzar s tax collectors during Russia s Eastward expansion in the XVI and XVIIcenturies. It lies in the border area between the Siberian forests and thegrassy steppes.It s an averageSiberian town without much distinction, except for a strange fancy relict inthe main square.

The world s biggest head of Vladimir Lenin has more than 25 feet tall and it is ironically said byrumour that it was inspired by the head of Buddha that was located in Ulan-Udebefore the Soviet takeover. And now although most of Soviet monuments have beendismantled this one is going to stay because the locals became quite fond ofit.AlexanderV. Myskin, gr. 2o1.