Caucasus Nature Reserve
Russia’s oldest and largest protected natural area in the Caucasus, this vast mountain reserve preserves the region’s alpine ecosystems and wildlife across nearly 280,000 hectares.
At a glance
Caucasus Nature Reserve spans 280,335 hectares (1,082 square miles) of mountainous terrain in the Northwest Caucasus. It functions as a strict ecological reserve—a zapovednik—where nature conservation takes absolute priority over public access.
History
The reserve was established in 1924 as the Caucasian Bison Reserve, making it the oldest protected area in the Caucasus region. In 1979, UNESCO designated it a Biosphere Reserve, recognizing its international ecological importance. The site received World Heritage status in 1999. In 2008, it was officially renamed in honor of Khachatur G. Shaposhnikova, the biologist who founded the reserve and shaped its conservation mission.
What you see
The reserve encompasses the heavily mountainous section of the Northwest Caucasus Mountains, preserving alpine landscapes, mountain forests, and high-altitude ecosystems that characterize this dramatic region.
Cultural significance
Caucasus Nature Reserve represents one of Europe’s most important conservation areas. Its dual UNESCO designation—as both Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site—underscores its role in protecting irreplaceable mountain biodiversity and serving as a model for ecological preservation in the Caucasus.
Key facts
- Location: Mostovsky District, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
- Area: 280,335 hectares (2,803.35 km²)
- Founded: 1924
- Coordinates: 43.84°N, 40.40°E
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: 1979
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1999
- Named after: Khachatur G. Shaposhnikova (2008)
Practical information & getting there
As a strict ecological reserve (zapovodik), access is limited and requires special permits. Contact the reserve administration or local authorities in Krasnodar Krai for current visiting regulations and permit applications.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una foto