The White Sea is an inland sea located in the north of the European part of Russia. The Solovetsky Islands (also known as Solovki) is the largest archipelago of the White Sea, part of Arkhangelsk region.

The Solovetsky Islands, as well as the five-kilometer area of the White Sea, are included in the protected area – Solovki State Historical and Nature Museum-Reserve. Photos by borh_84

frozen landscapes

Tags: Arkhangelsk oblast · landscapes

European part of Russia is dominated by abnormally warm weather. The temperature often rises above zero degrees; it is raining; snow in many places has almost completely melted. Global warming?

However, there are still places in Russia “enjoying” ringing frost, and they are located in Siberia of course. In particular, you can see how life looks when the temperature is below 30 degrees Celsius in Yakutia. Photos by Alex Cheban

pictures of the frozen world

Tags: Sakha Republic

Chirkeisk Hydro Power Plant (HPP) is standing on the Sulak River near the village Dubki, in the Buinaksk district of Dagestan Republic. It is the largest HPP in the North Caucasus.

This power station has the second highest dam in Russia (232.5 meters). Also, it is the highest arch dam in Russia. Chirkeisk HPP is located in the narrow gorge bearing the same name.

magnificent views

Tags: Dagestan Republic

Defense expenditures in Russia are growing every year (about 14-18% of the total expenditure of the budget). In 2012, these costs amounted to about 1865 billion rubles (62 billion USD).

Some of these funds are spent on the purchase of new equipment, weapons, warehousing of the equipment at military bases scattered throughout Russia.

scenic post-apocalyptic views

Tags: Abandoned

Baskunchak is a salt lake located in Astrakhan region, about 270 km north of the Caspian Sea, and 53 km to the east of the Volga River.

The lake is a kind of hollow on top of the salt mountain. Numerous springs flow into the lake on the north-west coast bringing in the lake more than 2.5 thousand tons of salts per day. Baskunchak Lake location on Google Maps. Photos by Denis Frantsouzov

unusual colors of salt lake

Tags: Astrakhan oblast · landscapes

Lena Pillars is a geological formation and nature park of the same name located on the banks of the Lena River in Yakutia, about 104 km from the town of Pokrovsky. It is a complex of vertically elongated rocks up to 100 meters height piled along the banks of the Lena River.

The total area of the park is 485 thousand hectares, the main goal – the development of ecological tourism. Lena Pillars are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lena Pillars location on Google Maps. Photos by Sergey Dolya

look at the bizarre rocks

Tags: Sakha Republic

Forests in Moscow region hide a lot of various abandoned buildings and structures. Some buildings are in ruins, but others are hardly affected by time.

Most often you can find abandoned military facilities, academic institutions, and summer camps. In the latter, usually, you can’t see anything unusual, but not in this case. On the territory of one summer camp the following collection of retro cars has been found. Photos by saoirse_2010

explore the abandoned camp

Tags: Abandoned · Moskovskaya oblast

These days are particularly hot in Russia. The temperature in many cities has risen above plus 30 degrees Celsius. It’s a good time to enjoy picturesque scenery of cold Russian winter like the following photos taken in Ugra at the temperature of minus 20 degrees C.

Ugra is the territory in the Northern Urals, between the Pechora River and the Ural mountains. These wooden cabins-yurts belong to the indigenous people of this land – Khanty. Photos by Sergey Anashkevitch

enjoy the snowy winter

Tags: Ural

Ingushetia is located on the northern slopes of the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. The length of the republic territory from north to south is 144 km, from west to east – 72 km.

Northern part of the republic has steppe relief, in the south – the terrain is mountainous, consisting of ridges separated by valleys and gorges. The highest point is Mount Shan (4500 meters).

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Tags: Ingushetia Republic · landscapes

The Republic of Karelia is located in the north-western part of Russia, bordering Finland. The region is of great interest in the first place from a tourist point of view. Active, cultural and green forms of tourism are the most popular.

Karelia attracts tourists for its environmentally friendly nature, low population density and relatively low prices. A large part of the region is above the Arctic Circle and at night in the sky you can see fascinating pictures of Aurora Borealis like the following ones taken near the village of Rabocheostrovsk (Google Maps location of the place). Photos by Denis Frantsouzov

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Tags: Karelia Republic