The Samara region is unique in its natural resources: on its rather large territory there are more than 300 natural monuments. It is here that the rarest species of plants and animals are preserved. This territory produces oil, gas, sulfur, gravel, chalk, clay and sand. But still, the main attraction of this region is its natural world.
The nature of the Samara region
Samara Territory is primarily the famous Zhiguli Mountains (Zhiguli). They rightfully bear the title of the most picturesque, because the delightful Samarskaya Luka park is spread on their slopes. Maples, pines, linden and aspen, bearberry, wormwood, juniper - here you can find more than 700 species of various plants. The fauna of the Lada is much poorer. This is due to the fact that in the mountains themselves there is practically no water. In total, no more than 40 species of animals can be found in the territory: rodents, predators, hare-like (martens, moose, badgers, black grouse). The region is also famous for its mineral springs, for example, on the basis of Sernovodsky resort area Sergievsky mineral waters operates.
Vegetable world
It is worth noting that the region is located in two zones: steppe and forest-steppe. That is why the plants of the Samara region are very diverse. Broad-leaved and coniferous forests, meadow steppes, floodplain meadows, swamps and peatlands - each zone is distinguished by its views of the plant world. I must say that the forest cover of the region occupies a very small percentage (12). There are also rocky steppes: they are found mainly on the slopes of the Zhiguli Mountains. Strong lighting coming from the Cretaceous deposits, great water resistance and strong heatability have become a real obstacle to the growth of many plants: only drought-resistant herbs survive here.
In the shadow of wooden giants
Forests in the Samara region are unevenly distributed. Most of them are on the right bank - in the Samarskaya Luka National Park. Here the climate is suitable and the humidity is more favorable - that is why the forest cover of this territory exceeds 50% of all forests. On the north side of the Samara River, forest cover is only 14%, but the south side barely reaches 4% (mostly forests are found in gullies, river valleys or ravines).
That is why some of the plantings are specially planted trees. Of the conifers in the region, pine trees have taken root best. The nature of the Samara region is rich in steppes: meadow, feather-grass, fescue, grass-feather-grass. The once prevailing shrub steppes were eventually destroyed by humans. Today they can be found only on the slopes of river valleys, beams.
Unique places
How unique is the nature of the native land, Samara region shows firsthand. For example, Ozernaya Gora: its foot is surrounded by several small reservoirs, and at the very top archaeologists found an ancient settlement dating back to the Iron Age. There is even a cave with a waterfall. Maiden tears. Waterfalls in the Samara region are quite rare, and when water jets fall down from the peak of the cave, in general, is unique.
A huge ravine, along which streams of a waterfall rush, is blocked by an arch, under it there is a beautiful lake with a grotto deep into the depths, its ceiling is decorated with natural growths. Unusual plants of the Samara region are also known. For example, oak is a wish-fulfiller. It has long been believed that if you put your hands on the bark of a tree and make a wish, it will certainly come true. Aybolit House, a shelter for animals in distress, is also located in Samarskaya Luka. This is a grandiose project that monthly saves the lives of hundreds of birds, animals and their very young cubs and chicks.
What else is Samara region famous for?
The nature of the Samara region holds many secrets and legends. There are more than a hundred different natural monuments, which can be talked about for a very long time. This is Tsarev Kurgan, on which the Tatar Khan, who dreamed of conquering Russia, rests forever. These are the Zhiguli Sea and the Molodetsky Kurgan, which forced one of the greatest rivers, the Volga, to turn to the side. This is Strelnaya Mountain, which is the highest among the Zhiguli Mountains: it offers magnificent views of the entire reserve.
This is the cave of the Greve brothers, with a length of about three hundred meters, which forever repose one of the brothers. Its remarkable thing is that even in the hottest summers, the air there remains icy, and the walls are always covered with a layer of hoarfrost. And how many unrest among tourists still causes the cave of Stepan Razin, according to ancient legends, just filled with looted treasures. We cannot help but recall the Stone Bowl - a place where (according to legend) the tears of the Mistress of the Zhigulevsky Mountains flowed. It is here that you can find pure spring water. And there are many more such examples, because the nature of the Samara region is an inexhaustible cradle of unique places and unique experiences, memories of which will remain for a long time.