Altay State Nature Reserve - a unique specially protected territory of Russia, is a World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The history of the reserve began April 16, 1932

According to the biological diversity of the Altai Reserve is one of the leading places among the protected areas of the country. The reserve is located in the north-east of the Altai Republic in Turachakskiy and Ulagansky areas. Central Estate Nature Reserve is located in the village of Yaylyu, and the central office - in the capital of the Republic, the city of Gorno-Altaisk. Today, Altai Nature Reserve consists of four departments: the Department of Science, Department of Environmental Education, Department of protection of the economic department.

The total area of ​​the reserve is more than 881 235 hectares, including the waters of Lake Teletskoye area of ​​11757 hectares. Altai Reserve gradually increased toward the southeast. The main ecosystem of the reserve - the lake, the Siberian taiga, taiga lowlands and midlands, alpine and subalpine highlands and midlands, glacial-nival high mountains, tundra-steppe highland tundra highlands and midlands.

Everywhere in the mountains are scattered pure springs, streams of cold water. The largest alpine lake - Dzhulukol, located at the headwaters of Chulyshman. Its length - okolo10 km. Among the most common tree species - pine, cedar, spruce, fir, birch. The real pride of the reserve are considered high-altitude pine forests. In general, flora of the reserve consists of more than 1,500 species of vascular plants, 111 species of mushrooms, and 272 species of lichens.

One of the main species of animals living in the Altai taiga, a sable. Of the hoofed animals here live reindeer, red deer, Siberian ibex and roe deer, mountain sheep, musk deer, and so on. In the mountain ranges is very common ibex. In the south of the reserve and the adjacent territory live Altai mountain sheep.