There are 3 National Parks and 2 Nature Preserves in Karelia.

Vodlozersky National Park Its the largest national park of the wild nature. It covers about half million hectares of taiga, which is rich in animals and plants diversity. There are more than 400 lakes there with over 20 species of fish. It was founded in 1991.

It was founded to protect plants and animals of the unique wild forests, swamps, lakes and rivers. People are allowed to visit ancient villages, walking, skiing (in winter), sport fishing, looking at birds and animals there.

Paanayarvi It was founded on the 20 th of May, 1992, to protect great lakes and rivers system and unique forests, their animals, birds, trees and flowers.

People can go fishing, climb the mountains (there is the highest point of Karelia – mount Nuorunen in this park), visit waterfall, walk on a boat, or pick up berries and mushrooms.

Kalevalsky National Park It was founded in 2006 to preserve unique ancient forests, swamps and their animals (such as a bear, a golden eagle – беркут, kite – коршун, owl – сова, crane – журавль.) People a re allowed to go nature tourism and watch animals and the forest there.

Nature Preserve Kivach You can see legendary waterfall Kivach here. Tourists can visit the Museum of Nature and make interesting excursions. This preserve was founded in There are a lot of rare animals and trees (such as Karelian birch, for example) on its territory.

Nature Preserve Kostomukshsky It was opened on the 18 th of September, 1991 to protect ancient villages, clean lakes and rivers, pine-tree forests and their animals (otters, rain deer, golden eagles, swans) and rare fish.

Consolidation: Have you ever been to one of Karelian protected natural areas? Would you like to visit some of these places? Which ones? Why? Why not?