LAKE BAIKAL NATIONAL TREASURE OF RUSSIA

LAKE BAIKAL - NATIONAL TREASURE OF RUSSIA

The Lake Baikal basin is in a highland known as the Stanovoy Range which is in fact a system of ranges divided by deep intermountain areas. One of these is filled by the waters of Lake Baikal so that the surface of the lake is 454 m above sea level while its bottom is 1166 m below it. The lake is encircled by mountain ranges rising 2000-2700 m above sea level. Many of them run steeply down to the surface of the lake the whole presenting a picture of compelling rugged beauty.

The mountains around Baikal are rich in mica, graphite, marble, gold and other minerals. And the slopes of these mountains are covered with pine and cedar forests. Baikal's

natural wealth is of immense importance to the national econ­omy.

Various explanations have been put forward of the ori­gin and formation of the Lake Baikal basin.

The discussion continues. Two points are, however, cer­tain. First that the basin is of tectonic origin connected with powerful orogenic processes that are still going on in the vast area of the Stanovoy Range; second that basin is of a great age, has undergone drastic changes, and has been form­ing during millions of years.

Lake Baikal is the only old lake that has preserved to this day an enormous volume of water. The deep blue-green of its crystal-clear water is especially striking. A white metal disc sunk to a depth of 20-25 and sometimes even 40 m can still be seen as in an ocean. Sunbeams penetrate deep into this water, providing enough light for plant life at a depth of many metres.

The Baikal depression contains about 20% of the global stocks of fresh waters.

This water has such a small percentage of mineral admix­tures that in some cases it can be used instead of distilled water. In view of these factors Russian scientists have worked out the "main trends of the general scheme for the all-round utilization of the natural resources of the Lake Baikal ba­sin". The invaluable treasures of Baikal are protected by the state.

Baikal is one of the most remarkable lakes in the world.

It is the deepest in the world, plunging down to a mile in depth, its surface nearly 1,500 feet above sea level and its bottom 3,800 below, set in beautiful mountain scenery.

The lake is an inland sea 370 miles long and between 19 and 43 miles wide and, because it warms up slowly in spring and summer and cools slowly in autumn and winter like the ocean, it modifies the climate nearby, giving cooler summers and milder winters.

While its surface freezes in late December or early Jan­uary and does not thaw again until May, the deeper part of the lake below 800 ft is at constant temperature between 3,2 and 3,5 degrees Centigrade.