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Geography and nature

Irkutsk region is located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia, is part of the Siberian Federal District. The region is located in the very center of the mainland and borders with the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the northeast, the Chita Region and the Republic of Buryatia in the east and south, with the Krasnoyarsk Territory in the west, and the Republic of Tyva in the southwest. On the modern map of the Irkutsk region there are 467 municipalities, of which 32 are municipal districts, 10 urban districts, 63 urban settlements, 363 rural settlements. The administrative center is the city of Irkutsk. The population of the Irkutsk region is 2.4 million people.

467

municipalities

The territory of the region covers the south of the Central Siberian plateau and the upper reaches of the Angara, Lena and Lower Tunguska basins. The lowest point is at the bottom of Lake Baikal, near the island of Olkhon, and corresponds to the mark of 1181 m below sea level. The highest - at the top of the Kodarsky ridge, at 2999 meters above sea level. Thus, the total elevation within the region reaches 4180 m.

Geography and nature(2)

The main part of the region’s territory has a plateau relief. The Presayan Plain extends within the plateau. The main transport routes pass along it, the most important industrial centers are located here. Forestry and mining industry are developing in this region, almost all agricultural land is concentrated.

The north of the region is occupied by the vast and sparsely populated Yerbogachensky plain, which is currently poorly developed, although large reserves of various mineral and raw material resources have been discovered here. In the south of the region there are vast mountain ranges of Khamar-Daban and East Sayan. Their average height reaches 1,500 m, and the peaks of individual ridges rise to 3,000 m. The foothills of the Eastern Sayan mountains are covered with taiga, rich in forest, furs and minerals.

Within the Irkutsk region there are huge reserves of lake and river water. First of all, this refers to the largest lake on the planet - Baikal. The area of the lake is 31.5 thousand km2. By the area of the water mirror, Baikal takes 8th place among the largest lakes, at the same time it is the largest body of water in terms of fresh water reserves in the world.

Geography and nature(4)

The volume of the lake’s water resources is 23.6 thousand km3. Freshwater reserves in Baikal make up about 80% of the total Russian and 20% of the world's fresh surface water reserves. The maximum depth - 1,637 m is the largest depth for the lakes of the globe. The length of the lake with north to south - 636 km, maximum width - 79.5 km.

Large reservoirs are located in the region: Irkutsk, Bratsk, Ust-Ilim, as well as 29 lakes. In total, there are more than 65 thousand rivers and streams in the region. The largest Angara-Lensky artesian mineral water basin in the Irkutsk Region is represented by three hundred sources, there are 7 large mud lakes with silt, sapropelic and peat peloids.

Flora

The flora of the region consists of 1733 species of plants, including 605 types of medicinal plants. By forest cover, the region is one of the first places in Russia. For every resident of the region there are 20.6 hectares of forest. The area of ​​the forest fund of the region is 71 million hectares. The species composition of the forest fund is diverse, the largest reserves are pine and larch. Coniferous forests in the region occupy 70% of the territory, cedar forests - about 7 million hectares, or 12%. The region is one of the suppliers of pine nuts. Valuable medicinal plants grow in cedar forests: incense, kashkara, as well as lingonberries, blueberries and currants. Of the deciduous species, birch, aspen, poplar and shrubs are widespread - alder, Siberian apple tree, bird cherry, mountain ash is less common. The forests of the Irkutsk region are rich not only in wood, technical raw materials, berries, but also in mushrooms. Different types of mushrooms grow in the forests and copses of the region. Among the grassy plants of the meadows forbs prevail, there are cereals and legumes.

Flora

Animal world

The fauna of the Irkutsk region is rich and diverse. A total of 86 species of mammals, 427 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles and 6 species of amphibians are registered in the region. The most diverse wild fauna of the taiga - there are many animals that are not found in other places on the planet. One of the most striking examples of unique animals is the seal, the only seal in the world that lives in fresh water - the main endemic of Lake Baikal, a relic and symbol of Lake Baikal. In sunny, calm weather, seals look at coastal stones. The most famous place where you can see dozens, and even hundreds of seals on large stones near the shore, is Ushkany Island. The approximate number of seals is from 60 to 120 thousand.

Animal world

Conservation areas

In the Irkutsk region there are 5 specially protected natural territories of federal significance, two state nature reserves (Baikal-Lensky, Vitimsky), two state nature reserves of federal significance (Tofalarsky, Krasny Yar), and the national park “Pribaikalsky".

Conservation areas

Weather and climate

Climate

Extreme continental

Temperature

The average monthly temperature in January is from -15 ° to -33.4 °. The warmest month is July, the average temperature is + 18 ° C. The maximum air temperature on some days reaches +36.

Precipitation

Precipitation is about 500 mm per year. The maximum rainfall occurs in July-August, the minimum - in February and March.

Social portrait, religion

The population of the Irkutsk region is about 2.4 million people. The population density is 3.09 people/km2. About 140 nationalities live in the Irkutsk region, most of which have moved to the region from other regions of the country and from neighboring countries. The main group of people is Russian (88.28%), the second largest are Buryats (3.20%), the third are Ukrainians (1.27%), and the fourth are Tatars (0.94%).

Social portrait, religion

Religion

Being ethnically heterogeneous, the Irkutsk region is a traditionally immigrant region. Representatives of all nationalities, religions, races, and cultures have long settled here. Many of them managed to preserve the elements of ethnocultural identity. Currently, there are over 400 religious associations in the Irkutsk Region, 310 are officially registered with the Federal Registration Service for the Irkutsk Region. Religious associations of the region include about 20 faiths and denominations. There are eight centralized religious organizations in the region. The largest are the Irkutsk, Sayan and Brotherly dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, which are part of the Irkutsk Metropolis. A distinctive feature of the region is shamanism - the deification of the forces of nature and dead ancestors, the belief that there are many gods and spirits in the world. The followers of shamanism are the indigenous population and small ethnic groups living in the region (Buryats, Evenks, Tofalars).

Religion

Economics, production

The Irkutsk region is a powerful industrial region with one of the best telecommunication and trunk infrastructure in Russia. The share of industrial production in the structure of the gross regional product of the region is more than 40%.
Irkutsk region occupies:
1st place in Russia for logging;
2nd place in the Siberian Federal District for oil refining;
2nd place in the Siberian Federal District for mining.
The share of the Irkutsk region in all-Russian production:
67% - market pulp;
40% - PVC;
39% - lumber;
35% - aluminum;
21% - electricity.

Economics, production

Transport accessibility

There are 8 airports of civil aviation in the region, including 2 airports of international importance (the cities of Irkutsk, Bratsk). Currently, Irkutsk airport is connected by air with 60 cities and 10 countries of the world. The international route network includes more than 20 destinations - from South Korea and China to Bulgaria. The airport is consistently one of the top twenty airports in the country with over one million people. The passenger flow of the Irkutsk airport is 2.6 million people. There are two terminals at the Irkutsk airport - domestic and international airlines.

Transport accessibility

Automobile transport

In the Irkutsk region is the most widespread and affordable. It provides local and interregional freight and passenger transportation, serves all sectors of the economy. The length of the public and non-public roads in the Irkutsk Region amounted to 31.8 thousand km, of which 77% are paved public roads. The largest transport hub was formed in the area of ​​large cities: Irkutsk, Angarsk, Usolye-Sibirskoye, Cheremkhovo and Shelekhov. It is through these cities that the Moscow Route passes, the roads to Baikal and the Upper Lena, as well as the foothills of the East Sayan, begin. The regional road network is based on three federal highways: M-53 Baikal (Irkutsk – Krasnoyarsk) with a length of 749 km, M-55 (Vydrino – Irkutsk) with a length of 186 km, 1R-418 (Irkutsk – Ust-Orda) with a length of 59 km.

Automobile transport

Basic water transport

carried out for tourism purposes in the waters of Lake Baikal, Irkutsk and Bratsk reservoirs. In total, 6 river ports operate in the region, 52 berthing facilities operate. The Irkutsk region has a cruise fund for walking groups of Lake Baikal tourist groups, as well as for meetings, conferences, presentations.

Basic water transport

In the Irkutsk region there are more than 100 railway stations. Most of the railways in the region belong to the East Siberian Railway.

Railway stations

Basic symbols of the region

Basic symbols of the region

Flag of Irkutsk region

Basic symbols of the region

Coat of arms of the Irkutsk region

Lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake in the world, which, due to its unique natural properties, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is not only a natural phenomenon, but also a treasury of the material and spiritual culture of Central Asia, as evidenced by archaeological sites, ritual shamanistic texts, petroglyphs and preserved rites of the Baikal Buryats.

Lake Baikal

The Baikal seal is a living symbol of Lake Baikal, one of its most beautiful inhabitants and the only species of mammals that live in lakes. Nerpa is one of the three freshwater seal species in the world, endemic to Lake Baikal. It is still not known exactly how the seal got into Lake Baikal. In the natural habitat, it is difficult to see a seal because of its secrecy and timidity, but there is always an opportunity to watch it in a nerpinary. In total, there are three nerpinaries on Lake Baikal - two permanent ones in Irkutsk and Listvyanka, and one that opens only for the summer period, in the Sakhyurt village. This soft toy in the shape of a seal is one of the most popular souvenirs brought by tourists from the Baikal region.

Baikal seal

Baikal fish is rightfully considered one of the main treasures of Lake Baikal. It is impossible to visit Lake Baikal and not try dishes from Baikal fish, which has excellent taste.

Baikal fish

The Irkutsk Regional Historical and Memorial Museum of the Decembrists is located in the center of Irkutsk - its historical center. The museum consists of two estates with the houses of princes S.P. Trubetskoy and S.G. Volkonsky. The collection of the future Irkutsk Museum of the Decembrists began to take shape in 1925, when an exposition dedicated to the Decembrists was created at the Irkutsk Museum of the Revolution on the 100th anniversary of the uprising on Senate Square.

Museum of the Decembrists

Olkhon Island is the largest of the Baikal islands. The island is part of the Baikal National Park. According to Buryat folk legends, the island of Olkhon is a reserved and mystical place, it is called the current center of shamanism. The island is rich in archaeological sites, history and ancient legends.

Olkhon Island

Quarter 130 (Irkutsk Sloboda) - the restored historical part of the city of Irkutsk, which serves as a cultural and tourist center. Here wooden houses of historical value were restored, blacksmith and pottery workshops, souvenir shops, cafes were opened, the House of Music of the world-famous pianist - Denis Matsuev was built.

Irkutsk Sloboda

The Circum-Baikal Railway is an architectural and historical monument of the beginning of the 20th century. From it, you can see not only stunning views of Lake Baikal, but also a huge number of unique engineering structures: long tunnels, many stone and reinforced concrete galleries, bridges, viaducts. The longest tunnel of the Circum-Baikal Railway, 778 meters, passes through Cape Polovinny at the 110th kilometer of the road.

Circum-Baikal Railway

Ratings and awards

In 2018, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, according to the results of the assessment for 2017, assigned the first degree of regional financial management quality to the Irkutsk region. The region has been confirming this assessment for the past four years.

According to the results of 2017, the Irkutsk Region showed the highest growth among all subjects of the Russian Federation (27 positions) in the ranking of regions by the level of development of public-private partnerships and took 19th place.

The Irkutsk region is in first place in Russia and in non-tax revenues of the consolidated budget from the forest industry - in terms of payment for the use of forests.

Irkutsk Region assigned a credit rating on the national scale at the level of C22AA- (RU); Stable outlook.

According to Expert RA, the credit rating of the Irkutsk Oblast debt instrument (34001 series bonds) is assigned the ruAA + level

Irkutsk region - in fifth place in the ranking of event tourism “Russian Event Awards” of 2018

The Irkutsk region was included in the top ten most popular among foreign tourists cities and regions of Russia according to the results of 2018 (295 thousand tourists a year).

Irkutsk region is included in the Golden League "Best of the Best" of the National Event Tourism Development Rating in Russia

Irkutsk Oblast ranks 13th in the ranking of tourist attractiveness among Russian regions.

Main events

Business events

Recognized at the international level, the Baikal International Ecological Water Forum brings together government representatives, scientific and public organizations, international environmental organizations, heads of Russian and foreign business structures to discuss the application of effective solutions aimed at preserving Lake Baikal and the Baikal Natural Territory (in 2019 the year the Forum will be held for the third time from September 19 to 20, 2019 in the city of Irkutsk).

 the Baikal International Ecological Water Forum

The Baikal2020 International Youth Forum, the purpose of which is to create effective mechanisms for the inclusion of young citizens in the socio-political, socio-economic and cultural life of the Baikal region, the Siberian Federal District and other constituent entities of the Russian Federation and foreign countries.

The Baikal2020 International Youth Forum

The Baikal Business Forum is a platform for dialogue between business and government, for the exchange of experience and the acquisition of new knowledge. The format of the Forum involves coverage of relevant areas of business development with the participation of about 60 speakers from all over Russia, a demonstration of existing tools to support and develop small and medium-sized enterprises. Participants will learn from entrepreneurs how small and medium-sized businesses adapt to constant changes, what decisions their representatives make and why, together with section participants, they will form a list of business rules and principles. Performing one of the tasks to support entrepreneurship, many economic problems are subsequently resolved: from the fundamental improvement of the investment climate to innovative breakthroughs, from the development of the latest business standards to the growth of wealth and the achievement of social harmony.

Baikal Business Forum

Major sporting events

Silk Way 2019 International Rally Marathon. The ceremonial start of the Silk Way 2019 international rally-marathon, which brought together a large number of participants and guests from different countries, became a significant event in the world sports calendar in Irkutsk on July 6. The total length of the race, which brought together athletes from 36 countries of the world, amounted to 5003.5 km - the pilots covered this distance in 10 days. Representatives of 99 sports crews, including 55 off-road vehicles and 16 trucks, 25 motorcycles and three ATVs, took part in the marathon. Teams went through the territory of Russia, Mongolia and China, finishing in the Chinese city of Dunhuang. Today, the race is held in the status of a transcontinental marathon.

Silk Way 2019

Category A international sambo tournament “Baikal Cup”. More than 100 wrestlers from Russia and near and far abroad countries take part in the competitions. The Baikal Cup has become a traditional tournament, which is held in the Irkutsk region for the second time.

Category A international sambo tournament

Ice golf is a sport that is quite popular in the Irkutsk region. Unique entertainment, which is held only in 2 places on Earth - in Greenland and on Lake Baikal. Hundreds of square kilometers of ice, hummocks, irregularities, cracks, snow deposits serve as a field for it. Each year the event attracts up to 100 participants from Russia and the world - both professional golfers, beginners and just travelers.

Ice golf

The international Baikal Cup competition is held annually on ice-boats. Many foreign riders come to the competition. Some loyal fans of the Baikal Buer Week from Poland overcame 7,000 km in 2019 to take part in the competition. Arrival is expected in 2020 in the Irkutsk Region 40 foreign participants, as the Russian Championship in ice-boat sports will be held as part of the Baikal Buer Week.

Baikal Cup

The International Speed Skating Competition “Open Baikal Marathon” is a traditional sporting event that attracts athletes from all over Russia and foreign countries to Lake Baikal, as well as positively influences the popularization and development of speed skating. The marathon includes: a night race of 5 km for adults and 100 meters for children from three years old, starts at distances of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 km in a circle, family relay races.

Open Baikal Marathon

The World Bandy Championship is a regular international tournament held by the International Federation of Bandy among men's national teams. The 40th World Championship, tournament A will be held from March 28 to April 5, 2020 in Irkutsk at the arena “Center for hockey and ice-skating sports”.

The World Bandy Championship

Fairs, festivals, etc.

The international music festival “Stars on Lake Baikal” is held annually in early September. The organizers of the event set themselves the task of introducing the inhabitants of the Angara region with the best achievements of domestic and world musical culture. Within the framework of the festival, performances are held by scholars of the New Names Foundation, winners of the competitive auditions of young talents, as well as the charity auction Nota Do. In different years, world-class orchestras and stars performed as part of the festival in Irkutsk.

Stars on Lake Baikal

The international festival "Jazz on Lake Baikal" is held in the Irkutsk region annually, starting in 2006. The guests of the festival are world-famous musicians from Russia, Europe, the USA, Japan, Brazil and other countries, many of whom visit the Irkutsk region more than once. The symbol and prize of the festival - a cheerful seal who plays the saxophone, went to different parts of the world. An integral part of "Jazz on Lake Baikal" has already become the international Children and Youth Festival-competition of pop and jazz performers under the patronage of People's Artist of Russia Igor Butman.

Jazz on Lake Baikal

The international festival of opera music “The Breath of Lake Baikal” was first held in Irkutsk in 2011. The main goal is the popularization of opera music, support for young vocalists. Within the framework of the festival, master classes in vocals are held, which are conducted by famous teachers of Russia and other countries. Also under the auspices of the festival, a qualifying round of the prestigious European competition for young opera singers named after Hans Gabor "BELVEDERE" is held.

The Breath of Lake Baikal

The international ethnocultural festival "Yordyn Games" has been held in the Irkutsk region since 2000 in a sacred place for all the peoples of Siberia - near Mount Ehe Jord in the Olkhonsky district. The revived traditional festival of the numerous peoples of Eurasia is held once every two years and includes a shamanic prayer, competitions in national sports, competitions of bators and beauties, singers and storytellers.

Yordyn Games

In 2013, the Yordy Games were included in the UNESCO calendar of events. In 2016, the festival became a laureate at the All-Russian event tourism competition - the winner in the nomination "Folk Traditions", as a result of which it entered the national calendar of cultural and tourist events of the country. As part of the Yordyn Games, scientific and creative conferences are held in which the faculty of universities and research institutes take part - research scientists in cultural studies, cultural anthropology, history, folklore, and philosophy. Representatives from different regions of the Russian Federation take part in the festival: Irkutsk Oblast, Republics of Buryatia, Sakha (Yakutia), as well as from foreign countries - Mongolia, China, Great Britain, Germany and others. The culmination of the holiday is the grandiose ritual circular dance Yokhor.

The International Winter Games Festival on Lake Baikal “Zimniada” ("Winter Games") is a traditional event that takes place annually, from February to March. In the framework of the “Zimniada” such popular events are held among tourists as the Baikal ice marathon “For the Preservation of Clean Waters”, an ice golf tournament on Baikal’s ice, snowmobile races, dog sled races and others.

Zimniada

The international festival of wooden sculpture "Lukomorye on Baikal" was first held in 2011. Over the eight years of its existence, more than a hundred sculptors from around the world, as well as craftsmen from almost all regions of Russia, took part in the events. Various wood carving schools are represented at the festival. Every year the geography of the festival is expanding, the work of the participants is becoming more interesting and stronger. Currently, the tangible result of the festival has been the creation of two parks in the region, where sculptures from the Angarsk pine stand all year round.

Lukomorye on Baikal

The Baikal International Film Festival of documentaries, popular science and educational films “Man and Nature” is a film platform that enables society to reflect on the complex relationship between man and nature. The first festival was held in 1999. Its opening was timed to coincide with the first celebration of Baikal Day - an interregional holiday established on the initiative of public environmental organizations of the Irkutsk and Chita Regions and the Republic of Buryatia.

The Baikal International Film Festival

The international tourism exhibition "Baikaltur" is one of the largest tourism forums in Eastern Siberia, a unique business platform for meeting industry professionals on the eve of the new tourist season on Lake Baikal. For over 20 years, Baikaltur has been demonstrating the Baikal region as a promising territory for the development of tourism, sports and recreation, represents the potential of tourist opportunities in the regions of Siberia and the Far East, and also promotes the development of cooperation with the tourism industry of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. A rich business program of the exhibition, including conferences, presentations, seminars and round tables, unites professionals in the tourism industry, creates comfortable conditions for establishing business relations and exchanging experience. Within the framework of the exhibition, the international tourist forum “Time to relax on Lake Baikal” is held in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Eastern Siberia for representatives of the hotel and tourist business in the region.

Baikaltur