Реферат: Lake Baikal

In the midth of a thinly populated wildnesslies the foremost natural wonder — lake Baikal. It’s the oldest lake in theworld — its age is about 25-30 million years. Scientists estimated that morethan 1500 life forms live in and around this lake, which can be found nowhereelse on Earth. It’s the world's largest reservoir of drinking water. It occupiesthe territory of 12000 m2 and 400 km long. It contains 1/6 of freshwater found on the planet and in spite of the vast pollution by the nearbyindustry the most of it still remains unspoilt. About 30 uninhabited isles arescattered throughout the  lake.

Most of the coastline lies in anenvironmentally protected area.

The most numerous of the indigenous peopleare Buryats. They has been living here from untold centuries, even beforeYanguis Khan swept through during the early XIII century.

A feeling of tranquillity settles over thecoastal village in long summer afternoons. A vehicle driving along thevillage’s mainstreet is a rare sight. A motorcycle with a sidecar is the mostpopular civil transport; and a passenger car still remains an object of curiosityfor children.

The area’s largest city is Ulan-Ude whichwas first established by the Russians as an outpost for tzar’s tax collectorsduring Russia’s Eastward expansion in the XVI and XVII centuries. It lies inthe border area between the Siberian forests and the grassy steppes.

It’s an average Siberian town without muchdistinction, except for a strange fancy relict in the main square. The world’sbiggest head of  Vladimir Lenin has more than 25 feet tall and it is ironicallysaid by rumour that it was inspired by the head of Buddha that was located inUlan-Ude before the Soviet takeover. And now although most of Soviet monumentshave been dismantled this one is going to stay because the locals became quitefond of it.

Alexander V. Myskin, gr.2o1.