Sunflower is a major oilseed crop in Russia. In 2013, the gross yield of sunflower seeds amounted to about 10.2 million. tons – 3 times more than in 1990 during the Soviet period, and by 27.7% more than in 2012.

Russia occupies a leading position in the world in this area, together with Ukraine (10.0 million tons of oilseeds in 2013). Blooming sunflower fields look very picturesque. The following wonderful pictures were taken in Lipetsk region by Petr Ushanov

beautiful field of sunflowers

Tags: landscapes · Lipetsk oblast

“Zyuratkul” is a national park located in the southern part of Satka region of Chelyabinsk oblast, 200 km west of Chelyabinsk. The total area of ​​the park is 88,249 hectares, the length from north to south – 49 km, from east to west – 28 km.

The park preserves unique natural complexes, monuments of nature, history, culture, archeology and other cultural heritage sites. There are such natural sites as the alpine Zyuratkul Lake, Kalagaza and Berezyak rivers, Zyuratkul Pillars rocks and others. Photos by Andrey Grachev

majestic nature views

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast · landscapes

Somewhere on the Pomorsky coast of the Onega Bay of the White Sea (north of Arkhangelsk region), there is an old village called Vorzogory.

The population of the village is only about 100 people and who knows for how long it will exist. It is a very picturesque place with a unique flavor of the Russian North. Photos by Petr Ushanov

severe beauty of the Russian North

Tags: Arkhangelsk oblast

Summer doesn’t come to Kamchatka every year, but this year it has happened and we can enjoy this beautiful view. Photo by Igor Shpilenok

Tags: Kamchatka krai · landscapes

Cosmodrome “Vostochny” is being built in the Far East of Russia in Amur region, near the village of Uglegorsk. The total territory reserved to the needs of the cosmodrome is 1035 square km.

The first launch is scheduled for the end of 2015, the first launch of manned spacecraft – in 2018. The total cost of the project is about $ 9 billion. Several new photos from the construction site taken two days ago (June 1, 2014) by Dmitry Rogozin.

future of Russian space program

Tags: Amur oblast

An exciting walk to the far corners of the mountainous Ingushetia. You can see the unique symbiosis of majestic nature and ancient watchtowers.

Unfortunately, the North Caucasus region remains unsafe because of high level of terrorist activity, that’s why tourist trips there are very risky. Luckily, there are still people who can visit these beautiful places and take some pictures. Photos by Timur Agirov

amazing scenery

Tags: Ingushetia Republic · landscapes

Trinity Church, built in 1827-1832, is located near Pyatino village (western edge of Ulyanovsk region). Previously, next to the church, there was a manor of noble family of Annenkov.

The church is rapidly decaying; domes and columns in the interior are crumbling. It looks like nobody cares about preserving it. Pyatino landscape is definitely one of the most fascinating Russian landscapes. Photos by av_otus

abandoned beauty

Tags: Abandoned · churches · Ulyanovsk oblast

“Sheremetevo Castle” is a unique park and palace complex, located in the village of Yurino in Mari El Republic (about 200 km from Yoshkar-Ola and 650 km from Moscow), an architectural monument of federal importance.

Construction of this huge castle-palace was going about forty years (1874-1915). As a result, you can see a wonderful eclectic mix of Western European and Oriental Gothic, Romanesque and Old Russian architecture.

very picturesque place

Tags: Mari El Republic

In this photo made not far from Udina volcano (Kamchatka krai), you can see the lava tube window. If you look into this truly hellish pit, you can watch the lava river. Photo by Denis Budkov

Tags: Kamchatka krai

Snow is almost gone in many Russian cities and soon nothing will remind of winter.

Goodbye winter frosts! Let’s enjoy these beautiful winter photos taken in the forest somewhere in Chelyabinsk region by marateaman

dreamlike winter forest

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast · landscapes