Olkhon

Olkhon island

In Baykal lake 22 islands, of them Olkhon - largest island. The length of its 71,7 km, the greatest width of 15 km, area exceed 700 sq.km. The island is mountainous according to the nature of relief. The eastern edge of island practically for entire elongation breaks itself to Baykal by multi-meter rocky rocks, and west gently gets down to the shallow molded edges of small sea. Their name island obtained from the buryat word “oh- hone” - “small wood” or “a little wooded”. Forest on the island can be in actuality met only in the center section, the northern and southern extremities of island steppe.

The population of island does not exceed 1500 people, large part from whom they live in the settlement Of Khuzhir (1200 men) only large on the island. Is here located the fishery largest in Baykal, on which work 250 local residents, and state farm “Olkhonskiy”. Yearly catch is 500-600 tons of fish, depending on the season it varies from 50 to 120 tons of fish per month. Majorities of the inhabitants of island - buryat. Fishing and sheep breeding are the basic forms of activity. On the island are counted 2,5 thousand sheep even 150 head of large livestock.

From the passage to the island to p. Of Kharantsy (53 km) is laid the improved gravel road, from p. Of Kharantsy to the northern extremity of island (37 km) - forest road with the sandy sections. Road goes along the West Bank of island, the East Coast has the highest marks 1274, 1149 m and steeply it breaks itself to Baykal. The mountains of the center section of the island it is dense of verdure by forest. To the eastern part of the island are laid forest roads only in folds Tashkiney (Tyshkine) and atrophy. In summer tourists divide off camp in the warm molded edges: on the West Bank Of Noe lake, in Khankhay lake and in the natural boundary sandy. The vacationers are rarely on the northern part of the island because of the high rocky shores.

Why Olkhon island draws the tourists

After resorting to the poetic means, it is possible to say that Baykal - these are the blue heart of Siberia, and after resorting to the poetic means, Island is the geographical, historical and sacral center of lake. On the legends on Olkhon island were encountered the ancestors of Khorintsev. Here the hunter Of Khoridoy was married the celestial virgin- swans, and in them eleven sons, who became the ancestors of 11 Khorinskikh kinds, were born.

Island is the large cult center of the Kurumchinskoy culture OF THE VI-X substances is here concentrated the large number of Kurumchinskikh fortification- sanctuaries and tent tombs.

That located in the center section of Baykal, near the greatest mark of depth (1637 meters) at the equal removal from the northern and southern extremity of lake, Olkhon concentrated in its territory entire variety of the natural landscapes of Baikal shores. Even on its form it resembles the outlines of Baykal. On the island it is possible to see steppe landscapes with the being deeply gone into the land and well warmed thoroughly by summer molded edges, rare for the Baikal region eolian sections of sand with the dunes and the hills, the mixed deciduous scaffolding with the sections of relict fir grove, picturesque cliffs on the shore from the marble, densely covered with red lichens. For the amateurs of wild nature and photographers this is the present preserve of amazingly diverse landscapes and majestic views.

On Olkhon there are no dangerous predators. In 1996 ; according to the data of island forestry, here were counted 150 izyubrs, 120 roe, 15 lynxes, 60 foxes, 260 hares, 150 lag bolts, 180 hazel-grouse, 700 partridges. Gnats and there is no gnat practically.

In the myths and the legends they bore Olkhon they call abode of the terrible perfumes of Baykal. Here on the legends went down from the sky the main thing from Khatov - Khaan-Khute of baabay, sent to the earth by the mythical of Tengeri - by highest gods. Here lives in the means of white headed eagle- golden eagle its son on the name the khan To Shubuu of Noyon, which first obtained shaman gift from Tengeri. To Olkhon island, which was being considered as the sacral center of northern shaman peace, ran off Mongolian shamans during their pursuit by lamas in the epoch Of Chingiskhan.

The territory of island is rich in archaelogical monuments, in their quantity to 1 sq.km. there are no equal in entire Baikal region. It is known 143 archaelogical objects on it is known 143 archaelogical objects on These are tombs, ancient fortifications, the remainders of rock walls. The number noticeable includes the preserved ancient Kurykanskaya shielding wall with an extent of about 220 meters, which partitioned the isthmus Of Khorgiy cape.

Interesting also that from Olkhon island precisely began the mastery of Baykal with first Russian explorers. Under the leadership of Ivanov's Kurbata they left in 1643 along the valley of the river Of Sarma to the coast of small sea and, after constructing vessels, they swam across to the island.

In the museum of local lore Of khuzhir settlement is assembled the diverse collection of the ancient objects, which reflect way of life and culture of islanders. In the museum it is possible to see the badges of soldiers of Chingiskhan obtained on the island and to hear legends about their stay on the island. Is based museum by the teacher of geography N.M. Revyakin.