OLKHON ISLAND
Olkhon is Lake Baikal biggest island. Situated at the
geographical center of Baikal, Olkhon is also an important shamanist center
and a prime destination for eco-tourists.
Despite of its remoteness, the island has been inhabited for centuries.
Its first indigenous people were the Kurykans. The present Olkhon population
- about 1500 - consists mainly of Buryats, Russians and Tartars. To learn
more about the island's history, visit the museum of Local Lore in Khuzhir.
The island has a combination of all Baikal vegetation zones:relict steppes,
alpine fields and boreal forests. The climate is dry. The vegetation season
has a shift in compare with Irkutsk. For example, people on the island
seed and harvest potatoes two weeks later than people of the main land.
The islanders' needs are provided by fishing and farming their own land.
- ../images/aventures/b003a_map.htm" target="_blank" onclick="openWin4(this.href,this.target); return false;">Map of Olkhon Island