How big is the largest swamp in Russia?
Length 570 km, width 320 km, area 53,000 km² (increasing year by year)!
Larger than Switzerland (41,284 km²), the Netherlands (41,528 km²), Belgium (30,528 km²), Denmark (43,096 km²), Estonia (45,339 km²), and other countries!
This swamp, which is larger than many countries, is the Washigan Swamp (Васюганское Болото).
The Vashugan Swamp is located in the heart of the West Siberian Plain, between the Ob and Irtysh rivers. Most of its territory is located in the territory of Themsk Oblast, and the rest is located in Novosibirsk Oblast, Omsk Oblast and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region.
Scientists estimate that the territory began to swamp about 10,000 years ago and continues to this day. In the last 500 years, the swamp area has tripled and is constantly expanding.
When it comes to swamps, many people think of danger, but swamps are so important!
It is the giant lung of the earth, and its main function is to purify the air. It plays an extremely important role in reducing air pollution. Essentially, the Vashugan Swamp has peat reserves of more than 1 billion tons, and it acts like a naturally made giant air filter that absorbs toxic substances from the air, complexes the carbon, increases the oxygen content of the air, and prevents the greenhouse effect.
It is also one of the most important freshwater resources in the region. There is a large supply of clean water, which is estimated at 400 cubic kilometers. According to scientists, there are at least 800 lakes in the swamp, but most of them are located in the northern part of the Washigan swamp. The large tributaries of the Irtysh and Ob rivers – the Washugan, Parabel, Chaya, Sheggarka, um, Tara, Shish and Taras – all originate from this swamp.
The Vashugan Swamp is a unique natural complex wetland system with an extremely stunning landscape structure and a special type of swamp landform, which is a unique natural landscape on the earth. Also known as the "Amazon of Russia", the southern part of the swamp is home to a large forest of evergreen and deciduous trees such as spruce, fir, pine and birch, and is home to some endangered species, even in the harsh winters.
To the south of the swamp is the endless Barabin Prairie, which is "sprinkled" with cranberries, yellowberries and bilberries. Scientists have found 122 species of wild bryophytes, including sheepbeard moss, peat moss, and water ash moss, in the depression here. These mosses and lichens purify sewage and soil layers, while also absorbing zinc, copper and silver and other heavy metal ions.
The rivers and lakes in the Vashugan Swamp are dense, and there are about 800 lakes of all sizes, accounting for 48% of the total area. In the lakes and rivers nearby between forests and meadows, there are many local animals, many of which are rare and endangered.
Although this vast swamp has the "belly" to accommodate the population of a country, it is a real wilderness and is rarely inhabited. There is a local legend that the swamp was created by the devil, and 100 villages in its area have been in ruins, and only wandering spirits are floating around.
Although most of the swamps are shallow, few people are willing to walk in the huge swamps. But those who are willing to try to travel through the swamp can choose to travel in the swamp for several days, because there are enough tree-filled islets in the endless swamp to rest.
Once upon a time, the Vashugan swamp became a place that people could not avoid. But in fact, it is not as terrible as imagined, its beauty is definitely a gift from nature. Its beauty is worth savoring.
Lush water and grass, rivers and lakes, rolling hills and grasslands and vast meadows make this place feel special. There is no noise here, more purity and tranquility. When the sun sets, the sunset blows and the lake & river turns golden, and such a picture is worth cherishing.
Such a view, would you like to go and see it?