Lake Baikal is located right in the heart of Eurasian continent at the border of Irkutsk Oblast and the Republic of Buryatia. It stretches from the North-East to South-West for 636 km in a half-moon shape.

336 rivers flow to Baikal, with the Selenga River carrying the half of the total water amount. The lake is drained through a single outlet, the Angara River.

There are 27 islands at Baikal, Olkhon being the largest (its area, 723 sq km; its width, 12 km).

Baikal flora and fauna are highly diversified, which makes the lake unique among freshwater lakes. 848 animal species и 133 plant species are endemic, that is, you can find them nowhere else in the world.

Baikal climate differs from that in Eastern Siberia because of a large water volume and mountain surrounding. Thus Irkutsk air temperature in December reaches 25-30 degrees below zero; Baikal air temperature, 15-20 degrees only.

In all fairness, Baikal can be called a sunny area. Annual sunshine here equals to 2500 hours. To put this in perspective, it is necessary to note that this amount is 2000 hours annually at the Black Sea Resorts.