Irkutsk region

Irkutsk region is located in the southeast of Siberia and borders on Zabaykalsky Krai, Yakutia, Buryatia, Tuva and Krasnoyarsk Krai. The region ranks 21st most populous and takes the 5th place in Russia in relation to area size. Most part (about 80%) of all population lives in the cities.

The largest city of the region, as well as its administrative center is Irkutsk. Other large cities of Irkutsk region are Bratsk, Angarsk, Ust-Ilimsk and Usolye-Siberian.

The first states in this territory appeared during a Paleolithic therefore the Irkutsk region is a region with the richest history. The architectural and historical monuments attracting in the region many tourists and historians from every corner of the world, are located here simply at every step.

Baikal Lake located in the territory of Irkutsk region is certainly the brightest sight of the region, as well as the Baikal National Park being an object of UNESCO World heritage. Not less popular among tourists Taltsy, the architectural and ethnographic museum near Irkutsk. There are more than 40 monuments of wooden architecture and more than 8000 exhibit items telling about the life of the Siberian villages at 18th-19th centuries in this museum.

260 km long Circum-Baikal Railway is also of considerable interest. Along the entire length of the railway travelers are met by 58 tunnels and galleries, hundreds bridges and viaducts and a set of architectural monuments.

Pistes of high quality in the city of Baikalsk are made available to fans adventure travelers.

Besides, Irkutsk region is a large industrial region, with strongly developed forest, woodworking, pulp and paper industry and a number of large enterprises making the significant contribution to the economy of the region.