Applicatopn dossier for nomination as a European Geopark ...

A. DEFINITION OF THE REGION BEING PROPOSED FOR NOMINATION AS A UROPEAN
GEOPARK
A.1. NAME OF THE REGION PRPOSED FOR
NOMINATIONS AS A EUROPEAN GEOPARK:
The name that is proposed for the site applying to take
part in the EUROPEAN NETWORK of GEOPARK is
“BOGDINSKO-BASKUNCHAKSKY GEOPARK”. The
area lies within the borderline of the present Bogdisko-
Baskunchaksky reserve.
A.2. LOCATION
The geopark settles down in the south of Russia in the
western part of Near-Caspian lowland on a left bank of
the river of Volga within Ahtubinsky administrative area
of the Astrakhan area.
The geopark territory settles down in 50 kilometres
from an administrative centre of the given territory -
Ахтубинска. In immediate proximity from the given
territory on distance about 12 km settlements the
Verhny , Nigniy Bottom and Srednij Baskunchak settle
down.
Geopark area it is possible to reach railway and motor
transport. By train it is desirable which settles down in
15 kilometres from geopark will stop at station Verhny
Baskunchak, further journey is carried out by motor
transport. For Journey on the car the network of the
highways connecting an connect the Astrakhan and
Volgograd areas too can be used for journey to
geopark.
The nearest international airports settle down in the
cities of Astrakhans and Volgograd, located within 300
kilometres from geopark territory. This distance can be
overcome by the bus, a train, or the car on it will leave
about 4 hours.
A.3. SURFACE AREA, GEOGRAPHICAL AND
HUMAN STATISTICS
The area is in limits of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak
reserve. Its area makes 18478 hectares. The reserve
consists of two sites: Vicinities of salty lake
Baskunchak and mountain Big Богдо (16483
hectares) and a site «the Green garden» (2004
hectares). In all territory of geopark the economic
activities are not carried out, the given area is
especially protected territory.
Geopark holistic way
Our geopark policy is aimed to create a connection
between man, environment, culture, society and
geology in close agreement with the general
philosophy of the European Geoparks Network.
The geological diversity found within the geopark
offers great possibilities to demonstrate how geology is
able to influence the bio-diversity, animal breeding,
agriculture, communication and the very important
aspects of life and cultural evolution like the human
presence ever since pre-history and proto-history, and
the great epopee during which the exploitation of
gypsum and saltwas carried out.
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Population
The resident population of the District involved is equal
to 73152 in habitants (Istat, 2007). The average
population density is 9.3 inhabitants / sq.km.
In the last ten years the resident population of the
area, likewise for the total province population, has
been subject to a decreasing flux. Such trend however
results as a contrast, compared to the regional value
which is substantially stable.
B. Bogdo
Tourism
Despite presence of a considerable cultural heritage.
The tourist stream which concerns all area comes to
an end in the digital form bad.
Tourism in territory of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak reserve
has the big history and is developing branch. Here in
territory of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak reserve there are
the unique objects, capable to draw attention of
tourists. Those are nature sanctuaries: mountain Big
Bogdo, natural oundary a green garden, salty lake
Baskunchak and karstic caves in its vicinities.
No other geopark comparable to this in the
European Geopark Network.
Here there is unique in area денудационная a plain
complicated by various forms of a relief: funnels,
caves, beams which were formed throughout many