Altaisky, Russian Federation

Altaisky, Russian Federation, is located in the North-Eastern and Eastern Altaï along major mountain ranges. Noteworthy for its biodiversity and cultural heritage, it covers 3,532,234 ha and is home to 15,000 inhabitants. The core area is a part of the Golden Mountains of the natural UNESCO World Heritage site of Altaï. The site, which cooperates with Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina Biosphere Reserve and the Khakassky national reserve, is important for tourism, including the development of green tourism. Established as a reserve in 1932, it is among the areas of the world least affected by human intervention and has rich flora and fauna. Indigenous populations living in the biosphere’s transitional area include Tubalars, Chelkants, Telengits, Kumandins, Telengits, Kumandins, and Teleuts.

• © A. Lotov
• Teletskoe lake