What is a geopark?
Yangan-Tau Geopark is located in the Salavatsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russian Federation) (54°56"- 55°31" N 57°28"-58°38" E). The area is 1,774 sq. m. The geopark was created by Order of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan No. 1009-r dated 18.10.2017. There are more than 30 geological sites on the territory, of which 3 (Mechetlino section, Bolshaya Luka section, Yangantau Mountain) are of international, 10-national and 21 objects of educational significance.
The natural heritage is represented by a wide variety of plant and animal species listed in the IUCN Red List, the Red Book of Russia and the Red Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The territory is also covered by the key ornithological territory of Russia BS-022 ("Ufa Plateau"), which has national and international significance. 9 natural and geological objects are protected and are part of the regional network of specially protected natural areas.
The territory is characterized by a high level of development of intangible cultural heritage, in particular, the international festival "Salauat Yiyyny" is held annually in the district in order to preserve the cultural traditions of the Bashkir people. Numerous crafts and crafts are developed: horse breeding, kumysodelie, creation of folk costumes and musical instruments, pottery and the art of forging, medicine. Residents of the district participate in competitions of sasen-storytellers of myths and legends.
The material cultural heritage is represented by 32 archaeological sites (mounds, ancient settlements, villages, cave sites), of which 9 are of federal significance, including the Idris cave site and Idris Pisanitsa.
The territory has a highly developed tourist infrastructure. For lovers of 5-star recreation, Yangan-Tau Sanatorium JSC offers its services with a well-developed network of excursion routes (hiking, horseback riding, water, etc.). Those who want to spend an active time can stay in campsites, including the Shaitan-Kudey ethnic yurt camp and the Munai recreation center. You can learn the geological and natural history of the area by visiting the museums of the Yangan-Tau resort, the Karavella Maritime Museum, and the Salavat Yulaev Museum in Maloyaz village.
There are excursion and tourist routes with visits to geo objects: Laklinskaya, Idrisovskaya and Urmantau caves, Kurgazak spring, Kuselyarovsky sulfur springs, Stone Gate near the village of Lakly, Limonovsky ridge, etc. Geoeducation in the Salavatsky district is developed through a network of museums. There are 1 national museum, 4 municipal museums, 1 departmental, 1 private and 18 school museums on the territory. There is a House of children's creativity with a developed tourist and local history direction. Field practice of students of geographers and geologists of Bashkir State University takes place on the territory.
The economic development of the district is stable and has a steady positive trend. Agriculture and the service sector are the most developed. The largest enterprise of the district, JSC "Yangan – Tau Sanatorium", makes a significant contribution to the development of the latter. The geopark is managed on the basis of Yangan-Tau Sanatorium JSC with the participation of its numerous partners in the field of science and geoeducation, tourism, and local entrepreneurship (in particular, women's cooperatives).
The main geological site of international importance is the Mechetlino section, which contains a rich complex of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossils, which provides an insight into the Early Permian stage of the evolution of life on Earth, covering the interval from the Arta to Kungurian stages of the Permian system (290 – 285 million years ago). The sediments contain fossils of foraminifera (fusulinids), ammonoids, conodonts, ostracods, brachiopods, fish, calamites, and calcareous algae.
The natural heritage is represented by a wide variety of plant and animal species listed in the IUCN Red List, the Red Book of Russia and the Red Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The territory is also covered by the key ornithological territory of Russia BS-022 ("Ufa Plateau"), which has national and international significance. 9 natural and geological objects are protected and are part of the regional network of specially protected natural areas.
The territory is characterized by a high level of development of intangible cultural heritage, in particular, the international festival "Salauat Yiyyny" is held annually in the district in order to preserve the cultural traditions of the Bashkir people. Numerous crafts and crafts are developed: horse breeding, kumysodelie, creation of folk costumes and musical instruments, pottery and the art of forging, medicine. Residents of the district participate in competitions of sasen-storytellers of myths and legends.
The material cultural heritage is represented by 32 archaeological sites (mounds, ancient settlements, villages, cave sites), of which 9 are of federal significance, including the Idris cave site and Idris Pisanitsa.
The territory has a highly developed tourist infrastructure. For lovers of 5-star recreation, Yangan-Tau Sanatorium JSC offers its services with a well-developed network of excursion routes (hiking, horseback riding, water, etc.). Those who want to spend an active time can stay in campsites, including the Shaitan-Kudey ethnic yurt camp and the Munai recreation center. You can learn the geological and natural history of the area by visiting the museums of the Yangan-Tau resort, the Karavella Maritime Museum, and the Salavat Yulaev Museum in Maloyaz village.
There are excursion and tourist routes with visits to geo objects: Laklinskaya, Idrisovskaya and Urmantau caves, Kurgazak spring, Kuselyarovsky sulfur springs, Stone Gate near the village of Lakly, Limonovsky ridge, etc. Geoeducation in the Salavatsky district is developed through a network of museums. There are 1 national museum, 4 municipal museums, 1 departmental, 1 private and 18 school museums on the territory. There is a House of children's creativity with a developed tourist and local history direction. Field practice of students of geographers and geologists of Bashkir State University takes place on the territory.
The economic development of the district is stable and has a steady positive trend. Agriculture and the service sector are the most developed. The largest enterprise of the district, JSC "Yangan – Tau Sanatorium", makes a significant contribution to the development of the latter. The geopark is managed on the basis of Yangan-Tau Sanatorium JSC with the participation of its numerous partners in the field of science and geoeducation, tourism, and local entrepreneurship (in particular, women's cooperatives).
The main geological site of international importance is the Mechetlino section, which contains a rich complex of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossils, which provides an insight into the Early Permian stage of the evolution of life on Earth, covering the interval from the Arta to Kungurian stages of the Permian system (290 – 285 million years ago). The sediments contain fossils of foraminifera (fusulinids), ammonoids, conodonts, ostracods, brachiopods, fish, calamites, and calcareous algae.
On July 7, 2020, at the 209th session of the UNESCO Executive Board, Yangon Tau Geopark was added to the UNESCO List of Global Geoparks, along with 15 new geoparks from around the world. Thus, Yangan-Tau became the first geopark in Russia and in the entire post-Soviet space to receive international recognition. This achievement was made possible thanks to the well-coordinated work of the geopark team, consisting of real professionals in their field.
Yangan Tau Geopark Visit Center