Located among the mountains in northern Altai Republic, Lake Teletskoye is considered to be the second largest reserve of fresh water in Russia after Lake Baikal. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 325 meters and is about 78 kilometers long, with an average width of 3.2 kilometers.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaLocated among the mountains in northern Altai Republic, Lake Teletskoye is considered to be the second largest reserve of fresh water in Russia after Lake Baikal. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 325 meters and is about 78 kilometers long, with an average width of 3.2 kilometers.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
Located among the mountains in northern Altai Republic, Lake Teletskoye is considered to be the second largest reserve of fresh water in Russia after Lake Baikal. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 325 meters and is about 78 kilometers long, with an average width of 3.2 kilometers.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaThe lake receives its name from the Teles (or Teleut) tribe, which has inhabited the shores of Lake Teletskoye since ancient times. The locals, however, refer to the lake as Altyn-Kol, which means "Golden Lake."
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
The lake receives its name from the Teles (or Teleut) tribe, which has inhabited the shores of Lake Teletskoye since ancient times. The locals, however, refer to the lake as Altyn-Kol, which means "Golden Lake."
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaIt acquired the name during a legendary famine that swept across the land. According to legend, an old man who had a gold ingot the size of a horse's head tried to trade it for food. But gold no longer had value anywhere and the old man remained hungry. In despair, he climbed a high mountain, flung the useless gold bar into the clear waters of the lake below, and hurled himself in after it. It has been known as the Golden Lake ever since.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
It acquired the name during a legendary famine that swept across the land. According to legend, an old man who had a gold ingot the size of a horse's head tried to trade it for food. But gold no longer had value anywhere and the old man remained hungry. In despair, he climbed a high mountain, flung the useless gold bar into the clear waters of the lake below, and hurled himself in after it. It has been known as the Golden Lake ever since.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaMany routes for exploring the lake and its shoreline - by boat, on foot, or on horseback - begin at the village of Artybash, located at the lake's northern tip, where there are a large number of resorts and campgrounds. Another major settlement is Iogach on the opposite shore.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
Many routes for exploring the lake and its shoreline - by boat, on foot, or on horseback - begin at the village of Artybash, located at the lake's northern tip, where there are a large number of resorts and campgrounds. Another major settlement is Iogach on the opposite shore.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaStone Bay is a large circular crater 11 meters deep, which is connected to the lake by a strait. There are many theories as to how this area was formed, including impact by a meteorite. Supporting this theory are the shape of the crater and the unusual form of the rocks scattered along its edge, which seem to have fused edges.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
Stone Bay is a large circular crater 11 meters deep, which is connected to the lake by a strait. There are many theories as to how this area was formed, including impact by a meteorite. Supporting this theory are the shape of the crater and the unusual form of the rocks scattered along its edge, which seem to have fused edges.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaIn May, the shores of Stone Island, one of two islands in Lake Teletskoye, are covered in bright pink ledum flowers. Because of this, and because of the shape of the island, which resembles a heart, it is often called the Island of Love.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
In May, the shores of Stone Island, one of two islands in Lake Teletskoye, are covered in bright pink ledum flowers. Because of this, and because of the shape of the island, which resembles a heart, it is often called the Island of Love.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaStretching along both banks of the lake is the Altai State Nature Reserve. The reserve was established in 1932 and currently ranks second in Russia, after the Caucasus Nature Reserve, in plant and animal species diversity. Almost all possible inhabitants of the forest and mountains of Siberia live there: bears, lynx, otters, wolverines, sable, elk, maral, argali, and Siberian roe deer.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
Stretching along both banks of the lake is the Altai State Nature Reserve. The reserve was established in 1932 and currently ranks second in Russia, after the Caucasus Nature Reserve, in plant and animal species diversity. Almost all possible inhabitants of the forest and mountains of Siberia live there: bears, lynx, otters, wolverines, sable, elk, maral, argali, and Siberian roe deer.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaLake houses can be rented for the summer. They are usually fully booked before the end of winter.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
Lake houses can be rented for the summer. They are usually fully booked before the end of winter.
© RIA Novosti . Svetlana SannikovaThere are often strong winds blowing across the cold waters of the lake. The verkhovka, or "upper wind," predominates (blowing from the mouth of the Chulyshman River to the head of the Biya River), along with the nizovka, or "lower wind" (which blows in reverse, from the head of the Biya to the mouth of the Chulyshman). During severe weather, the lake can be a dangerous place.
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© RIA Novosti . Svetlana Sannikova
There are often strong winds blowing across the cold waters of the lake. The verkhovka, or "upper wind," predominates (blowing from the mouth of the Chulyshman River to the head of the Biya River), along with the nizovka, or "lower wind" (which blows in reverse, from the head of the Biya to the mouth of the Chulyshman). During severe weather, the lake can be a dangerous place.