What is the size of Lake Ladoga. Lake Ladoga: description, depth, relief, fish. Lake Ladoga in winter

Lake Ladoga is the largest freshwater body of water in Europe and the second in Russia after Lake Baikal. The first settlements appeared here in the 7th century, and two centuries later an important section of the Varangian trade route was built. The territories of the Ladoga region have more than once become the scene of military operations. Novgorodians, Swedes, Finns and Russian troops fought for them with varying success.

On geographical maps The lake was designated in the middle of the 16th century. Subsequently, handwritten diagrams were drawn up, on the basis of which at the beginning of the 19th century. Quite detailed drawings of Ladoga and the surrounding area were developed and published.

During the siege of Leningrad (1941-44), Lake Ladoga became a link between the besieged city and the mainland. The Road of Life passed through the reservoir, in winter - along the ice cover, and during the navigation period - along the water. Today Ladoga is used for recreational and economic purposes. On its banks there are many villages, holiday homes, tourist centers, children's health camps, as well as natural, religious and architectural and historical attractions.

Holidays on Lake Ladoga 2020

Popular in the Ladoga region hiking, kayaking, water travel and competitions, bicycle and car tours, “wild” and beach holidays, pilgrimages, skiing and fishing. Not only Russians come here, but also citizens of other countries. Routes are selected based on your own preferences, the allocated period of time, and the location of the starting, base or ending point. As a rule, holidays on Lake Ladoga are combined with cultural programs.

Since 1996, major international off-road competitions “Ladoga Trophy” have been held in the vicinity of the reservoir. Crews using SUVs, all-terrain vehicles and specially prepared equipment take part in them. There are tracks for lightweight vehicles.

Every year, competitions are organized on the Vuoksi river rapids. extreme species water sports. They attract thousands of participants and fans.

Beaches

Places suitable for beach holiday, are located in the southern and southwestern parts of Lake Ladoga. They are characterized by a gentle slope into the water, narrow sandy and rocky spits. There are wide beaches eastern islands Mantsinsaari and Lunkulansaari. The northern and northwestern shores of Ladoga are not intended for swimming.

Around Lake Ladoga

Many independent tourists go on a circular trip around Ladoga for several days. There are circular roads around the reservoir, along which you can drive from one settlement to another. But it should be remembered that not all of them have good coverage, so on rainy days it can be difficult to overcome some areas.

Trips around Lake Ladoga on bicycles and motor vehicles are no less eventful and memorable.

Recreation centers

In the vicinity of the reservoir there are a huge number of tourist centers - from budget options to elite. Many of them operate year-round. Guests are offered to stay in separate houses, 2-3-story buildings with all amenities, or in tents on a landscaped area. Rates depend on living conditions and the range of services provided.

In addition, there are fishing, hunting, ski bases and ski resorts on Ladoga.

Hotels

On Lake Ladoga, vacationers can stay in guest houses, family hotels and hotel complexes. Prices correspond to the level of comfort and location of the facility.

Shore of Lake Ladoga

The southern part of the reservoir is characterized by low, gently sloping shores, shoals, banks and reefs. The northwestern line is cut by fjords, skerries and dotted with numerous islands, separated by a complex network of straits. From Priozersk to Pitkäranta there are mainly rocky, elevated shores and an uneven, deep bottom. From the east and west the water line is smooth.

In the surrounding area there are many ponds and marshy areas with characteristic vegetation. The lake is surrounded by mixed forests, mostly coniferous. Reed thickets dominate its shores. Representatives of the middle taiga fauna live in the forests, mushrooms and berries grow. More than 250 species of birds are found in the district.

The largest bays are located in the southern part of the lake. This is Petrokrepost Bay and two lips - Volkhovskaya and Svirskaya.

• The area of ​​the lake with islands is more than 18,000 square meters. km.
• Dimensions: length - about 220 km, width - up to 138 km.
• The length of the coastline is more than 1.5 thousand km.
• Height above sea level - 4.84 m.
• Depth: average - 47 m, maximum - 230 m.
• The volume of water is almost 910 cubic meters. km.

Along south coast Even under Peter I, the construction of a bypass shipping canal began. In the middle of the 19th century. A new waterway was built along it, since the old one not only became shallow, but also did not cope with the increased load on it. Today the Ladoga Canal is used for the passage of small and medium-sized ships. It consists of three sections - Novo-Ladozhsky, Novo-Syassky and Novo-Svirsky. They stretched from the mouth of the Neva to the mouth of the Svir.

The shores and waters of Ladoga are divided between 9 municipal districts, 5 of which belong to Leningrad region, and 4 - to Karelia.

Islands

In the waters of Lake Ladoga there are a huge number of islands, concentrated mainly in the northwestern part of the reservoir. Some of them are inhabited, but most remain uninhabited.

Balaam

The most famous island of Ladoga and the largest in the Valaam archipelago. Here is the settlement of the same name and the Valaam Monastery (XI-XII centuries). The surrounding islands are marked as places of mass occurrence of the Ladoga ringed seal.

Konevets

Located southwest of Valaam. The local Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery, founded at the end of the 14th century, is often called the twin of the Valaam Monastery. The Horse-Stone, which was once used for pagan rituals, has stood on the island for a long time. A chapel was erected over it in late XIX V.

Riekkala (Riekkalansaari)

Most large island in the waters of Lake Ladoga. There are several here settlements, connected by dirt roads. It is connected to the mainland pontoon bridge, leading to Sortavala.

Mantsinsaari

Located off the northeastern coast of Ladoga. During the Second World War, the island was held by the Finns until the signing of the general surrender. Under Khrushchev, a massive outflow of population began from Mantsinsaari, and by the end of the last century it was completely empty. Nearby is the island of Lunkulansaari, separated from the mainland by a small channel.

Most famous islands Ladoga skerries - Kilpola, Kukhta, Sorolansaari, Lauvatsaari, as well as Putsaari - the island of St. Sergius, long time served as a granite stone quarry site. The material was used for the construction of the Valaam Monastery and cladding of buildings in St. Petersburg.

Rivers

Lake Ladoga is fed by river tributaries, precipitation and groundwater. More than 30 rivers flow into it, the main of which are:

• Svir - stems from Lake Onega;
• Volkhov - carries water from Lake Ilmen;
• Vuoksa is the most large river Karelian Isthmus.

The only drainage is the Neva River.

Weather

The Ladoga region is located in the zone of influence of the marine temperate and continental climate. There are significant temperature fluctuations, cloudiness, high humidity, fog and insignificant amounts of precipitation. In winter it is moderately cold, windy and cloudy. Sudden invasions of Arctic masses contribute to a sharp cooling. Frosts recede in early April, but snow can also fall in May.

Summer on Ladoga is moderately warm. There are fewer cloudy days, but the amount of precipitation increases slightly. There are about 60-65 sunny days per year. From late May to mid-July, “white nights” dominate here.

The warmest month is July, the coldest are January and February. Average air temperatures at this time are +16.5 °C and -9 °C. The absolute maximum and absolute minimum were recorded between +31.7 °C and -42.8 °C.

Storms

Strong winds often blow on Ladoga, changing direction sharply. Their duration can reach 5 days, and their speed can be more than 15 m/s. The most dangerous storms occur in October. Maximum wind gusts are up to 84 m/s.

Depth map

There are two versions of the origin of the lake basin. The first, classical, implies its glacial-tectonic origin, and the second assumes the fall of a giant cosmic body to Earth. Proponents of the latter interpretation are based on the unusual bottom topography, reminiscent of a deep funnel in the northern part of the reservoir, as indicated by the map of the depths of Lake Ladoga. As additional arguments, huge boulders scattered on the flat terrain and, of course, anomalous phenomena- underwater lightning, sudden seething of water, mirages and barrantids (deep sounds). However, scientists argue that tectonic faults, the movement of lithospheric plates and, as a result, underwater seismic activity are to blame.

The depth map shows that the bottom of the lake deepens from south to north. The smallest areas, up to 3-4 m, are observed off the southern and eastern shores (in the area of ​​the island of Mantsinsaari and the village of Salmi). Next comes a strip of depths of 5-10 m, then up to 20 and up to 50 m. In the middle of the reservoir, measurements show 51-99 m, and closer to the north - 100-186 m. The deepest holes are located west of Valaam - 215, 221 and 228 m.

Fish of Lake Ladoga

The reservoir is home to more than 60 species of fish, including pike perch, smelt, sturgeon, burbot, sterlet, salmon, whitefish, trout, bream, perch, pike, etc. Both small and large specimens are found here (lake salmon reaches weight up to 10 kg). Most of the fish are native species, but some migrate from the Gulf of Finland, inflowing rivers and neighboring lakes.

Fishing

Fishing enthusiasts come to Ladoga in summer and winter. They are located in quiet backwaters on the southern or southeastern shore of the reservoir. Trophy fishing is popular on Lake Ladoga, the purpose of which is to catch large specimens of certain species of fish. For real professionals, this is a sport and a game of chance at the same time.

Water in Lake Ladoga

The water level in the reservoir changes periodically. During the observation period, an increase of 2 m and a decrease of 1.5 m relative to the average was recorded, although seasonal fluctuations are small. Experts claim that the water in the lake is completely renewed every 12 years.

Ladoga water is homogeneous, slightly mineralized and soft. On average, the salt concentration is 55 mg/l, which is almost two times higher than that of Lake Onega and almost two times lower than the salinity of water in Lake Baikal. The homogeneity of the composition is associated with vertical circulations, temporary and permanent currents. The softness of water allows it to be used for industrial and domestic purposes.

A feature of the reservoir is the color of the water, which takes on the shades of reflections of the sky and shores, as well as the bottom in relatively small areas. This is why Lagoda looks different in cloudy weather than in clear weather.

Water clarity:

• in the center - 4.5 m;
• at west coast— 2.5 m;
• at river mouths - about 1 m;
• at maximum depths - up to 10 m.

Water temperature

Great depths have a significant impact on the temperature regime of lake water. Even in hot weather it remains cool. The reservoir warms up for a long time and cools down slowly.

At the beginning of spring, the temperature in shallow waters rises to +4 °C. By mid-July, about +20 °C is recorded on the surface, rarely +24 °C, but a little deeper the temperature is lower. By the beginning of September, the reservoir begins to cool; in winter it is covered with an ice shell, but not every year it is completely covered with it. The average ice thickness reaches 60 cm. Freeze-up occurs in December - February. The autopsy takes place in May.

Svirskaya Bay is considered the warmest part of Ladoga.

Where is Lake Ladoga located?

The reservoir is located on the territory of two constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Its northeastern part belongs to Karelia, and the south, west and southeast belong to the Leningrad region.

The shortest distances to the nearest shores are from:

• St. Petersburg - 40 km;
• Vyborg - 85 km;
• Petrozavodsk - 125 km;
• Veliky Novgorod - 150 km;
• Moscow - 580 km;
• border with Finland - 30-35 km.

Attractions

On the shores of Lake Ladoga there are religious, archaeological, military-historical, architectural and geological monuments, as well as nature reserves, nature reserves and natural parks. The most famous and popular attraction of Ladoga is the complex of the Valaam Monastery. No less famous is the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery on Konevets Island.

The city of Sortavala is interesting for its historical buildings 1930s in a style characteristic of Northern European Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism. 20 km from it, in the Ruskeala mountain park, there is a cascade of Ruskeala waterfalls and former royal quarries. Lined with marble mined here

Lake Ladoga (also known as Ladoga, previously called Nevo) is considered the largest freshwater reservoir in Russia. Ladoga in its popularity is only slightly inferior to Baikal, known throughout the world. Hundreds of tourists come to its coast every year to enjoy wonderful views and capture the beauty of these places in your memory.

In this article you will learn the main features of this reservoir - where it is located, what characteristics it has, what surrounds the lake, what flora and fauna there are, what it is like in winter and summer.

Lake Ladoga belongs to two territories - the eastern and northern shores are located in the Republic of Karelia, and the southern and western shores delight the residents of the Leningrad region. The lake belongs to the pools Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea.

Characteristics

Lake area

If we take the total area of ​​Ladoga, we get an impressive figure - 17,870 km², and if we also take into account the islands, then it comes out to 18,320 km². The volume of water in the lake is 838 km³. The maximum recorded width is 125 kilometers, and the total coastal length is as much as 1,570 kilometers.

The height above sea level is small - only 4.8 meters, but the depth is dozens more. It is impossible to accurately measure the depth throughout the lake; it is uneven - in the northern part the range varies from 70 to 220 meters, in the southern part - from 19 to 70 meters. But it was possible to measure the greatest depth; in Lake Ladoga it is 230 meters.

Water temperature

Like the entire Leningrad region, Lake Ladoga remains in a cold and rainy haze all year round. Average temperature water in warm periods of the year is about +19. In autumn it drops to +10 degrees, and in winter frosts it drops to -3 degrees. In August, if the year is successful, you can catch a temperature of +24 degrees on the surface of the lake, but closer to the bottom it will be only +17 degrees. At a depth of more than 200 meters, the water temperature is almost always +3, +4.

Nature of Ladoga

Northern and east coast(Karelia) belongs to the middle taiga zone, and part of the lake in the Leningrad region belongs to the southern taiga subzone. The northern subzone is characterized by the appearance of mosses and shrubs (mainly blueberries, blueberries), and an abundance of spruce forests; The southern part is characterized by dark coniferous forests, sometimes linden and maple are found, but the moss cover is less developed.

In Ladoga, scientists count more than 110 species of aquatic plants. There are more than 76 subspecies of blue-green algae alone, and there are also green algae and diatoms. Together with the violent underwater world Planktonic animals also found shelter. The lake is home to cladoceran copepods, rotifers, daphnia, cyclops, water mites, a wide variety of worms, mollusks and other crustaceans.

The waters of Ladoga are rich not only in mites and single-celled organisms; more than 50 species of fish are found here. For example, Ladoga slingshot, trout, whitefish, salmon, bream, smelt, rudd, pike perch, catfish, cheese, asp, palia, roach, perch, pike, sturgeon, silver bream, burbot and many others. The area of ​​the lake richest in seafood is the shallow southern zone, where the depth is only 20 meters. But in the northern deep-sea region, the catch will be less varied.

In addition to fish, this reservoir can also show tourists more than 200 species of birds. The most attractive place for birds to live is the southern zone, however, many birds can be seen in Karelia. On the territory of Lake Ladoga there are: gulls, dabbling ducks, geese, swans, cranes and waders, eagle owls, grebes, short-eared owls, ospreys, falcons, herbal birds, golden plovers and even a white-tailed eagle.

Lake Ladoga became the habitat for the world's only representative of pinnipeds - the Ladoga ringed seal (a special subspecies of the ringed seal). There are about 4,000 of them in the world, so these animals are listed in the Red Book and are strictly protected by law.

Cities

The following cities are located on the shores of the lake itself: Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Sortavala, Shlisselburg, Pitkyaranta and Lakhdenpokhya. The largest of them are Priozersk and Novaya Ladoga, although the number of people there does not exceed the 50 thousand level.

Larger cities are located near Lake Ladoga, for example, St. Petersburg. From the northern capital of Russia you can get to Lake Ladoga in various ways, starting from public transport(trains, buses, trains, ferries) and ending with travel by car. In this case, the travel time will be no more than three hours, and if you use a car and plot the correct route on the map, you can get it done in an hour and a half.

From the northern part, the closest city to Ladoga is Petrozavodsk. From there you can also get there by car or by public transport. However, you will have to spend a little more than 4 hours on the road.

Climate and seasons of Lake Ladoga

It is no secret to avid tourists that in the autumn and winter months Ladoga looks extremely inhospitable. Even in Karelia, where there are picturesque rocks all around and wildflowers making their way among the thick grass, Lake Ladoga is inhospitable.

During cold periods, the lake is affected by an Arctic anticyclone, which brings strong gusts of wind, storms, prolonged rains and sub-zero air temperatures. In October, the storm season begins, it becomes damp and wet, and frequent fog appears on the lake. The only outlet for lovers autumn holiday is September, in this month Ladoga is more or less ready to share its beauty - heavy rains do not come often, water surface calm and clean, the air retains a piece of summer.

In summer, the reservoir kindly welcomes guests with a southern anticyclone, delighting with picturesque places and clear water. Only seasoned people will be able to swim here, but everyone will be able to enjoy the beauty. The average air temperature in July and August exceeds +20 degrees, so tourists will definitely be able to capture the glare of the sun playing on the surface of Ladoga.

Twelve centuries of crow's vestments,

Features and cuts of Noah's tribes.

Normans, Fryags, Rus, Finns,

Khazar Bazaar at the Sloven Marketplace

A. Chernov

In Europe, Lake Ladoga is the SECOND in size after the Caspian Sea, ranks 4th in depth (215 m), and has been known since ancient times as very rich in FISH. There are 53 species of fish here, including valuable commercial ones: slingshot, salmon, trout, whitefish, vendace, smelt, bream, raw fish, bluefish, silver bream, rudd, asp, catfish, pike perch, roach, perch, pike, burbot. The lake is home to the only representative of pinnipeds, the Ladoga ringed seal, its population is estimated at 4000-5000 heads (2000); 256 bird species are regularly found in lakeside areas; in ancient times, the fauna and flora (forests) of the lake were more numerous and diverse.

A) Existing etymology
Wiktionary
Root: Ladog-; ending: -a.
Meaning
Common name for Lake Ladoga; an ancient Russian city located on the banks of the Volkhov River not far from its confluence with Lake Ladoga, now a village Staraya Ladoga Leningrad region.
Etymology according to Max Vasmer
“Derived from ancient Russian. Ladoga in both meanings, often in Novgorod. gram. XIV century; Ladoga residents (Suzd. chronicle); other Scand. Aldeigjuborg. This name was previously explained as the original. designation of the lake and was derived from the Finnish. aaldokas, aallokas “worried” - from aalto “wave”. A different etymology is given by Mikkola, who explains the name of the lake from the name of the city, and the latter from the tributary of the same name of the lower Volkhov, ultimately from the Finnish. Alodejoki - from алode, aloe “low area”. Apparently, from a phonetic point of view, preference should be given to the old ones. etymology. It is not clear how the name of an insignificant river could be transferred to the BIG LAKE.”

In other etymological and explanatory dictionaries there is no interpretation of the name; in foreign dictionaries there is no such name.

Wikipedia
Ladoga, today Staraya Ladoga (until 1703 Ladoga) is a village in the Volkhov district of the Leningrad region on the banks of the Volkhov River; the city was known as part of the route from the “Varangians to the Greeks”; the first treasure of Arab dirhams found in Ladoga dates back to 786. The city was first mentioned in the chronicle in 862, among the ten most ancient cities of Rus'; until 864, the Varangian king Rurik ruled here, who subsequently moved the princely residence to the future Novgorod. Found by archaeologists ancient settlements Scandinavians (c. 753), in 760 it was destroyed by the Ilmen Slovenes, their settlement lasted until 830 and was captured by the Varangians; “There was a lack of CONTINUITY between the first inhabitants of Ladoga and the subsequent population who had different cultural traditions” (Wikipedia).

Origin of the name
The Old Norse name is Aldeigja, Aldeigjuborg (Old Norse Aldeigja, Aldeigjuborg).
The name Ladoga is a river, a lake and a city, but it is not determined which of the names is the primary one; the name of the city was derived from the name of Lake Ladoga (from the Finnish aaldokas, aallokas “worried” - from aalto “wave”), or from the name of the Ladoga River (now Ladozhka, from the Finnish Alode-joki, where alode, aloe - “low terrain” and jok(k)i - “river”).
T. N. Jackson believes that: “by now it can be considered almost proven that the name of the river first arose, then the city and only then the lake”; She considers the primary hydronym Ladoga, from ancient Finnish. Alode-jogi (joki) "lower river". The name of the city of Old Norse comes from the name of the river. Aldeigja, and it was already borrowed by the Slavic population and transformed with the help of metathesis ald; lad in other Russian Ladoga. T. N. Jackson suggests a Scandinavian mediation between the Finnish and Old Russian words: the Scandinavians first appeared on Ladoga in the early 750s, that is, a couple of decades earlier than the Slavs.
E. A. Khelimsky, on the contrary, proposes a German etymology; in his opinion, the primary name is the name of the lake - from Old Scand. Aldauga "old source, similar open sea" This hydronym is associated with the name of the Neva (which flows from Lake Ladoga) in Germanic languages ​​- “new”. Through the intermediate form Aldaugja this word was given to Old Norse. Aldeigja "Ladoga (city)".

Let's summarize:
- Max Vasmer expresses bewilderment: “It is not clear how the name of an insignificant river could be transferred to a BIG LAKE”;
- Aldeigja, Aldeigjuborg – Old Icelandic names;
- the lake has long been famous for its FISH RESERVES;
- There are no such words-concepts in the Russian language.
Conclusions:
- the name LADOGA must contain information about the BIG lake(quality category, space, size);
- the name must contain information about large fish stocks.

B) Interpretation of names using HEBREW
1) LA + DOGA = LA accessory + DOG, DAG fish, fish; fish; “The lake is rich in fish,” commercial fishing for salmon, trout, sturgeon and other types of fish is still ongoing (TSB).
2) LADOGA = A + GODAL (vice versa) = GADAL to be big, GADOL to be big; this root forms the concepts: greatness, glory, importance, nobility.
3) other-isl. Aldeigja; AL top, upper lake+ ARC fish; or read the word the other way around and highlight the root: ALDEIGJA = AJ+GIEDLA = TELLING to be big.

Related Concepts

Lake Nevo, Neva River
Lake Ladoga (according to the Nevo chronicles, until the 13th century) - NIVE open; those. open water; or NAVA flow out; hence the name of the Neva River - it flows from Ladoga.

The Volkhov River often has a reverse flow, connecting two large lakes(Ladoga, Ilmen) - depending on the water level in the lakes, it flows in one direction or the other, this fact is noted in the chronicles: “Again the Volkhov flows upstream for 5 days” - record of 1176 (Zhekulin V.S. Historical geography. M., 1982); “Volkhov went back 5 days” (PVL, under 1063);
VO + LH + OV = BO (VO root) to come, arrive + LEH to leave + AB main, main (river route).

The Tale of Bygone Years - "Ezera Ilmer" (Ilmen)
- There is a legend where the Volkhov River appears in the form of Ilmen - a widower; Hebrew - ILMEN to leave a widower;
- LAKE = AZAR to encircle, the main feature of a lake is a closed reservoir, the shores encircle the lake, in contrast to a river (river) - stripes, RAC stripe;
- lakes Ilmen and Ladoga are connected by the Volkhov River (rapids), where the flow is often reversed, depending on the water level in the lakes, the name is a direct indication of the navigation regime and water balance - the inflow is equal to the source: ILMER (Ilmen) = IL (IEL) balanced + M from, from + EPA connect; IEL balanced, in balance + MEUAN to reinforce. According to V. Dahl, Ilmen is a lake into which a river flows and flows out; let's read the name backwards - NEMLI = NAMAL port, harbor; those. Novgorod, located 4 km from Lake Ilmen.

Thus, by pulling the “tip”, the word-concept LADOGA, we pulled out from the toponymy of the region a rich “catch” of HEBREW VOCABULARY, and this can only mean one thing - during colonization (8th century) there was a significant JEWISH POPULATION here, THERE WERE JEWS ORGANIZERS and CONSTRUCTORS of trade routes “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and “from the Varangians to the Khazars.” All previous Slavic-Finnish, Scandinavian and other etymologies are from the Evil One.

Europe is famous for its beauty and attractiveness. Its nature has more than once become the property of songs and legends, fairy tales and poems, essays and stories. Among all the diversity, stand out water spaces. Lake Ladoga is a bright representative. Its main difference from other water bodies is the rich flora and fauna.

General characteristics

Lake Ladoga is called the largest in all of Europe. Its area exceeds 18 thousand square kilometers. It is interesting that 457 kilometers of water area are occupied by the islands of Lake Ladoga, which in themselves are not so large. For example, the area of ​​the largest land areas located in the middle of the lake surface does not exceed one hectare. And in total there are more than 650 of them. Nature has placed the islands so that over 500 of them are located in the northwestern part of the lake.

Rocky Islands are different bizarre shape and unusual shapes. Their height is 60-70 meters. It is especially interesting to observe the harmonious combination of coastline and island lines. The islands are separated from each other by numerous bays that cut into land areas.

Mother Nature has worked for thousands of years on the artistic and aesthetic design of this corner of the globe. Lake Ladoga is one of the oldest water bodies. In its lifetime, it has seen a lot and experienced amazing events, which can be judged by the numerous remnants and remains on its banks and bottom.

New research has made it possible to find out more accurate parameters of the water body. Lake Ladoga stretches 83 kilometers wide and 219 kilometers long. Without the island territory, it occupies a total of 17,578 square kilometers, which allows it to be called the largest European lake.

The length of the coastline exceeds one and a half thousand kilometers. Scientists were able to calculate the coefficient of its ruggedness. It is 2.1, which suggests the presence of multiple bays. The bowl of the lake is distinguished by its impressive capacity, which is 908 cubic kilometers.

Lake depth

The average depth of Lake Ladoga is 51 meters. However, if we talk about the largest, the figure already grows to 230 meters. The depth map of Lake Ladoga also shows impressive indicators. It usually marks the areas that are considered the deepest.

The bottom topography is heterogeneous. Therefore, it is not surprising that the depth of Lake Ladoga varies throughout its entire water area. For example, in the southern part the bottom is flat and smooth. This helps reduce the depth. The decrease is observed from north to south. In the northern part, the depth reaches 10-100 meters, and in the southern part this value is an order of magnitude lower and varies in the range from 3 to 7 meters. The bottom is distinguished by rocky spits and shallows, and you can even find clusters of boulders.

Bottom relief

In general, such differences in depth are explained by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the bottom. Which, in turn, is due to its impressive length. Geological structure also leaves its mark on the lake basin and its appearance. Interestingly, the bottom topography seems to resemble islands. He copies them exactly. Thus, at the bottom of the lake you can observe mountains and plains, depressions and potholes, hills and slopes.

Depressions up to 100 meters deep most often predominate. There are more than 500 of them in the northwestern part of the lake. Interestingly, such formations are concentrated in groups. And they, in turn, create a kind of labyrinth of bays. This phenomenon is called skerry. The depth map of Lake Ladoga allows you to verify this.

The slope of the lake has an average of 0.0105, and the angle averages 0.35 degrees. This value is close northern shore is already equal to 1.52 degrees, and for the eastern one - 0.03. This is also considered a fairly important indicator.

Animal world

In a country like Russia, Lake Ladoga plays a huge role. He is called the supplier drinking water for the northern capital of the state - St. Petersburg. However, in addition to this, Ladoga is home to a huge number of different animals. The main place among them, of course, is occupied by fish.

Today, more than 58 varieties and species of fish are known to exist in the waves of Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that there are also those who are “guests” in Ladoga. These include conger eel, Baltic salmon and sturgeon. They only occasionally swim into the waters of the lake. Their permanent habitat is the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic.

Unfortunately, due to the massive fishing of fish today, not all of its former inhabitants remain alive in Ladoga. Sometimes representatives of the fish kingdom disappear for no apparent reason. For example, sterlet. It no longer occurs in Ladoga waters, and researchers have never discovered the reason for this.

New species

But new inhabitants appeared in the lake. They are represented by peled and carp. The latter appeared in Ladoga relatively recently - in 1952-1953. The reason for this was that it was bred in the nearby Lake Ilmen. The fate of the peled was similar. It “wandered” to Ladoga from the Karelian Isthmus, where they began actively breeding it in the late 50s of the last century.

In addition, in the waters you can also find such fish as palia, salmon, pike perch, whitefish, bream, trout, ripus and vendace. They are distinguished by their value in the field of industry. These species are called commercial. There are also less valuable inhabitants of the lake. Among them are roach, smelt, pike, ruffe, blue bream, bleak and silver bream. They are considered no less tasty, but their use in food is represented in smaller volumes.

It is probably impossible to really name all the fish that are found in the waters of Lake Ladoga. There are so many inhabitants there that work to discover and study them continues to this day.

On the verge of extinction

Some fish of Lake Ladoga are now on the verge of extinction. Among them there are those that are considered valuable in the industrial field. The clearest example is salmon. In Ladoga there are individuals whose weight exceeds 10 kilograms. They are real giants. Interestingly, the fish go to spawn in late spring and summer. The young live there for no more than a couple of years, and then return to the lake.

The rivers are now clogged with lumber, making it difficult for salmon to spawn. In this regard, it was decided to suspend mass fishing. The corresponding law was passed back in 1960.

Another valuable fish is palia. She lives in the northern part of the lake. In winter it can be found at a depth of more than 70 meters, and in the warm months it rises to 20-30. Reproduction occurs in mid-autumn.

Whitefish also live in Ladoga. Now there are seven varieties of them in the lake. Four of them, namely lake Ladoga, Ludog, black and Valaam, are considered exclusively riverine, and the other three - Svir, Vuoksa and Volkhov - can live both in the lake and in the river. On average, during the breeding season, each individual lays about nine thousand eggs in October and November.

Just recently, people were massively engaged in catching whitefish, but now this species is on the verge of extinction. A peculiar reason for this can be called the construction of the Volkhov hydroelectric power station dam. Pisces were unable to overcome such an obstacle, and the measures people took to achieve this did not save the situation.

Rivers of Lake Ladoga

Now let's talk about waterways.

The rivers of Lake Ladoga are very numerous. This allows us to talk about its wide drainage basin. Its area exceeds 250 thousand square kilometers. Not every lake can boast such figures.

Finland and Karelia, located nearby, share water resources with Ladoga; rivers also carry their waves from the Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda lands. The water bodies of the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad regions make their contribution.

In total, about 45 thousand streams and rivers flow into Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that before becoming part of Ladoga, river waters accumulate in nearby lakes, including Saimaa, Onega and Ilmen. They, in turn, allow the formation of such tributaries of the main Ladoga as the Volkhova, Vuokse and Svir. In total, they bring more than 57 cubic kilometers of water into the lake per year. This represents approximately 85 percent of the total water mass that accumulates in the area we are considering. geographical object per year.

All other tributaries are called small. There is no explanation for this, because among them there are such impressive deep rivers as Janisjoki, Syas and Tulemajoki.

It should be understood that the tributaries of the Ladoga are quite young - by the standards of rivers - in age. They are only 10-12 thousand years old. That is why most of them have not yet formed wide valleys. They flow among rocky areas and steep banks.

The Baltic crystalline shield lies in the northeastern part of the lake. That is why the deepest and loudest tributaries flow into Ladoga from that side. Very often they turn into full-flowing stormy streams, encountering rocks on their way that are quite difficult to erode.

Tributary Svir

Lake Ladoga is located in Russia, and its deepest stream is called the Svir. This river flows from the Svirskaya Bay of Lake Onega, and flows into Ladoga from the southeast.

Its length is about 224 kilometers. The river includes two large tributaries, which are named Pasha and Oyat. It is interesting that the origin of this object is still covered in secrets and mysteries.

The Svir River itself and its banks are not distinguished by the picturesqueness inherent in Ladoga. The description of Lake Ladoga tells about the amazing beauty of its shores, which Svir cannot boast of. Its coastline is covered with alder bushes and marshy plants, and there are coniferous forests. Basically, the banks of the Svir River are accumulations of stones and boulders.

In ancient times, Svir was famous for its numerous rapids. They could not be called high, but the piles of boulders presented a serious obstacle to navigation. Locals very often they rescued sailors, helping them cope with crossings. Very often, residents of coastal villages and towns themselves served as sailors, pilots and even captains. The proximity to a deep river left its mark on the character and way of life of the people.

But if we talk about the animal world, it is quite large. It is in the waters of this river that salmon spawning is often observed. In spring you can find schools of these fish heading to the mouth of the Svir. The tributaries Oyat and Pasha play the main role in spawning. Ichthyologists believe that it is these rivers that can contribute to the revival of salmon in Lake Ladoga.

When to visit

Over its centuries-old history, Lake Ladoga has been shrouded in secrets, riddles and legends. All this, of course, attracts numerous tourists. People also travel to Ladoga to admire the amazing beauty of nature and see with their own eyes one of the largest lakes in the world.

In order not to make a mistake, you should know when it is better to go and what time to give preference.

A trip here in May and June will be foggy in the truest sense of the word. At the end of May and beginning of June, thick fogs descend on Ladoga, in which it is quite easy to get lost. In such cases, it is very important to take experienced guides with you who will help you get on the right path and see all the surrounding beauty.

This time is considered quite cold for those places. In the evening, the skerries can be covered with a thin crust of ice, and the wind brings dampness. Of particular interest are the few hours after sunny weather. At such moments, the lake shines with calm and attractiveness. However, the very next moment a breeze blows in. It causes meter-long waves in the bays, although the lake off the coast continues to be peaceful.

One of the most striking advantages of this time, of course, after the attractive appearance of the coastal area, is the complete absence of mosquitoes. The extraordinary cleanliness of the lake is also considered a virtue. The bottom, even at a depth of several meters, can be seen extremely clearly. It is believed that if you drink water at such a moment, happiness will not take long to arrive. The water itself is clean and tasty.

Those people who value comfort and coziness should visit Ladoga in the last two months of summer. This period is considered the best for proper rest. In this case, the air and water temperatures exceed the optimal mark, allowing you to swim in the waves of the lake and sunbathe on the shore. On the islands you can pick berries and mushrooms, which are abundant there.

For those people who travel to Ladoga with the aim of admiring local beauties, it is worth choosing the autumn months, when literally the entire coast shimmers with gold and bronze. In October, the weather worsens, accompanied by fog and storms. At such times you can meet many artists and landscape painters here. They try to capture the lush beauty of Ladoga.

Lake Ladoga in winter also presents an interesting sight. However, it is quite cold here at this time of year. But the middle of the lake does not freeze even in severe frosts due to its impressive depth.

Those people who want to visit this corner of our vast Motherland should look for Lake Ladoga on the map. Many travel companies offer entire routes. If you wish, you can choose one of the proposed ones or create your own.

A trip to the coast of Lake Ladoga will surely be memorable for everyone. This area is distinguished by the amazing beauty of nature at any time of the year, the diversity of flora and fauna, as well as the opportunity to have a great rest.

Lake Ladoga: description, photo, video

The size of Lake Ladoga in the Leningrad region is amazing. It covers an area of ​​18 thousand square kilometers. Due to its glacial origin, the reservoir has low thermal conductivity - the water warms up slowly and also takes a long time to cool down. The low level of mineralization, in turn, ensures high transparency of the lake, which is especially noticeable in good weather.

Lake Ladoga has been formed over centuries, so its water area is devoid of monotony and boring. There are 650 islands on its territory. The largest of them is located at a distance of 22 kilometers from the coast, and its area is 36 square kilometers. This island on Lake Ladoga is called Valaam. It is part of the archipelago of the same name and is famous for the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.

The northern shores of the reservoir are rocky and high. They're cut up a large number small peninsulas and straits. In the south, the coastal zone is low-lying and swampy, and coastline smoother. The reservoir has three large bays called lips. On the eastern side of the lake there are bushes and forests, mixed with stone deposits and sand beaches.

In the west you can see many stone ridges going deep into the reservoir. Visiting this shore of Lake Ladoga and taking a photo is the task of every tourist. Flows into Ladoga large number rec. The lake is home to 58 species of fish - from trout and perch to salmon and burbot. The main advantage of the reservoir is the Ladoga seal; it is slightly smaller and darker than the sea seal. Also worth mentioning are dolphins, which quite often swim here and the Baltic.

Where is Lake Ladoga located?

Lake Ladoga spreads over two administrative regions Russia - the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region. Its length from north to south is 219 kilometers, and its width between the most distant points is 138 kilometers. The bottom of the reservoir has an uneven structure, so the depth in the north varies between 70-130 meters, and in the south – 20-70 meters. Anyone who wants to visit Lake Ladoga and find out where it is located should look for it near the settlements located on its shore:

• Priozersk, Shlisselburg and Novaya Ladoga - Leningrad region;
• Olonets, Sortavala, Lakhdenpokhya - Republic of Karelia.

The reservoir is the main source of fresh water feeding St. Petersburg. The distance from the Northern capital of Russia is only 47 kilometers. This is where the Neva has its source.

Coordinates of Lake Ladoga on the map:

• Latitude — 60°50′3″
• Longitude — 31°33′10″

Lake Ladoga on the map

How to get to Lake Ladoga

The region around Lake Ladoga has a well-branched transport infrastructure, which makes it accessible to tourism. You can get to the reservoir in various ways. Excursions are organized to Lake Ladoga, and ferries also go here. The last option is the most expensive, but allows you to completely immerse yourself in wonderful atmosphere Ladoga.

How to get to Lake Ladoga by car:

• It is best to start the movement from St. Petersburg;
• After leaving the city, you should take the Ryabovskoye Highway or the Road of Life.

How to get to Lake Ladoga by public transport:

• You can come to St. Petersburg by car, train or by plane;
• a minibus runs regularly to the reservoir from the Dybenko metro station;
• Electric trains constantly run from the Finlyandsky Station in the direction of the lake, and an electric train also runs in this direction from the Baltic Station; the exact schedule can be checked on the stations’ websites.

When is the best time to visit Lake Ladoga

The coastal zone of the reservoir freezes at the beginning of winter, and in the middle - in February. Moreover, the lake is covered with solid ice only in the coldest winters. Strong and prolonged cooling in winter means that even in summer, the water warms up well only on the surface and near the shore. The reservoir thaws completely in April-May.

The most warm water– in August. During this period, it can warm up to +24 degrees at the surface and +4 at the bottom. The most favorable weather on Lake Ladoga for water tourism– in June-July. With the onset of autumn, a stormy period begins, so you can only admire the power of the elements from the shore.

Peculiarities

Throughout the year, on the territory of the reservoir there are family hotels, guest houses and peasant estates. You can come here either alone or with a group. The cost of accommodation for 1 night varies from 1.5 thousand rubles in a budget double room to 25 thousand rubles for renting a cottage. However, you can also stay in the Ladoga area with tents.

At recreation centers and rental stations you can rent rowing boats, bicycles, and motorboats. In winter, skis and snowmobiles are available. Winter swimming enthusiasts are provided with equipped ice-holes. As for souvenirs, the St. Petersburg shore of the lake is not particularly rich in them - typical sets of postcards, wooden products and magnets. More interesting from this point of view is the Karelian coast.

In Sortavala, Pitkyaranta and Lakhdenpokhya you can buy bracelets, beads and cosmetics made of shungite. Karelia is rich in deposits of this mineral. They also sell such famous tinctures as “Karelian Collection” and “Karelian Balsam”. Those who go on a visit to Valaam should definitely bring with them local gingerbread cookies, candles, icons, and crosses from the monasteries. Of course, you shouldn’t forget about the goodies – herbs, various mushrooms, berries and smoked lake fish.

What to see in the area

There are a large number of museums on the territory of Ladoga. They talk about folk crafts, local prominent people, the history of their cities, etc. Separately, we can highlight the Kronid Gogolev Museum, located in Sortavala. Here you can see the works of various wood craftsmen. The Road of Life Museum is also a must-see. It is located in the village of Lake Ladoga and contains exhibitions military equipment various times. 5 kilometers from here there is a memorial called “The Broken Ring”.

One of the main places of pilgrimage to Ladoga is the island of Valaam. Its main attraction is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. You can get to the island by boat, which goes from Priozersk. In the city itself you can see the Korela fortress, built in the 13th century. Not far from Priozersk there is the island of Konevets. It is famous for the ensemble of religious buildings with the Konevsky Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery.

If you travel by car, you should set aside at least two weeks for your vacation. We advise you to visit, as well as the beautiful one in Karelia.

In the south of Ladoga in Shlisselburg there is the majestic Oreshek fortress, which was built by the grandson of Alexander Nevsky. Co observation deck Indescribable views of the lake and the Neva River open up. A little to the east is Novaya Ladoga with a group memorable places and cathedrals.

Video: Karelia. Lake Ladoga. Koyonsaari Island

– this is the sea in miniature. Even if it’s not as warm and sunny here as on, it is rich in scenic spots and is suitable for lovers of varied recreation. Cozy beaches, clean air, churches, cathedrals and rich history won't let you get bored. It’s worth escaping here at least for a day to recharge with positive energy.