Lake Baikal is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. To get on this list, you must meet at least one of four criteria. Baikal is unique in this sense. He meets absolutely all the criteria for the request.
Instructions
Step 1
Baikal is the oldest lake. According to some estimates, its age is 25 million years, that is, it was formed back in the Mesozoic period. The Baikal rift system extends for more than 2, 5 thousand km, and the lake itself is located in a rift depression with a rocky relief. To date, the deepest place in the reservoir is considered to be 1642 meters. The length of the lake is more than 636 km. The huge size is comparable, perhaps with the sea.
Lake Baikal is the world's largest source of fresh water (about 20% of all world reserves). Igneous formations are an excellent source for studying the evolution of the earth. The development of the history of our planet can be traced on the lake, which is of great value.
Step 2
Throughout the entire existence of the lake, unique rare species of terrestrial and aquatic organisms have formed, many of them exist only on Lake Baikal, that is, they are endemic. For example, 27 species of fish are found only on this lake. The number of crustaceans is about 80% of zooplankton. An important role is played by the Epishura crustacean; it is found only on Lake Baikal, being a water filter.
Freshwater sponges grow at great depths of the lake, this phenomenon surprises scientists. Such a variety of living organisms is explained by the high oxygen content in Baikal water. Even in winter, when the lake is almost completely covered with a sheet of ice, oxygen enters it through huge cracks that form during the entire winter period. The water is so transparent and clean that the sun's rays still penetrate deep into the lake through the ice. There are so few impurities and mineral salts in the water itself that it can be used as distilled water.
On the territory of the lake, there are 10 plants listed in the Red Book. Thus, Baikal is one of the most biodiverse lakes on the planet.
Step 3
Baikal is a zone of exceptional natural beauty. It is of great aesthetic importance in the country and in the world. A deep "bowl" surrounded by a mountain range cannot but attract the eyes. The lake is surrounded by forests and steppes. Surrounded by the lake, there are ancient graves and numerous historical monuments, many nature reserves and two large green parks. There are 27 islands on Baikal, the longest is Olkhon, its size is close to a country like Belgium.
