The Karelian Isthmus

Location The Karelian Isthmus is situated in Leningrad region between the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea and the lake of Ladoga. In the south it borders with the Grinevskaya lowland.

Geolodical structure Ancient rocks outcrop in the north of the isthmus. These heights polished by a slipped glacier are called “curly rocks”. Oblong and narrow trenches formed along the glacier bed were flooded upon its thawing.

Mineral resources: bauxite, clay, phosphorite, shale, granite, limestone, sand. Mineral resourses

Climate Climate of the Karelian Isthmus is temperate, transient from continental to the coast one. Average annual temperature is 3—4° degrees as well as in Saint-Petersburg. Winter is rather mild, the average temperature in February is 8° degrees of frost. South-west winds carry the moisture to the coastal part of the isthmus. The best period on the Karelian Isthmus is the early summer, so called “white nights” season.

Rivers and lakes The Karelian Isthmus is crossed by the Vuoksa river. There are many lakes of glacial origin.

Plant and animal life. 1.Forests of the Karelian Isthmus are rich in animals. Bears, foxes, lynxes, polecats, hares and squirrels are found there, and wolves live in the middle part. In the forests hazel hens and black grouses are common, and wood grouses, woodcocks, wild ducks and gooses are found near the marches. There are more than 50 spices of fish, at that the spices diversity in the lakes of the Ladoga basin is more than in the Gulf of Finland. Perch, roach, pike, ruff and bream are the most common in the lakes. Burbot, bleak, ide, rudd, crucian are found in some lakes.

T ourism Climate of the Karelian Isthmus is favorable for summer and winter rest. People, who are fond of tourism, hunting, fishing, berry picking and mushroom gathering, will find places to their liking.