Russia’s northwestern Komi Republic was established in 1921, as an autonomous region. This RIA photo gallery presents the region's most spectacular sights.
© Yugyd Va National Park / G. BatulaThe Komi Republic's main attraction is the Yugyd Va national park, one of the largest natural reserves in the world, with a total area of nearly 2 million hectares. Yugyd Va means “clear water” in the Komi language.
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© Yugyd Va National Park / G. Batula
The Komi Republic's main attraction is the Yugyd Va national park, one of the largest natural reserves in the world, with a total area of nearly 2 million hectares. Yugyd Va means “clear water” in the Komi language.
© Flickr / UNDP in Europe and Central AsiaOn December 8, 1995, Yugyd Va and the adjacent Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve to the south were recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The national park was Russia’s first to receive such status.
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On December 8, 1995, Yugyd Va and the adjacent Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve to the south were recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The national park was Russia’s first to receive such status.
© Flickr / UNDP in Europe and Central AsiaThe Komi Republic is also famous for its Manpupuner rock formations, also known as the Seven Strong Men. Considered one of the seven wonders of Russia, they gave rise to many local legends and in the past constituted a site of religious importance for the Mansi people.
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© Flickr / UNDP in Europe and Central Asia
The Komi Republic is also famous for its Manpupuner rock formations, also known as the Seven Strong Men. Considered one of the seven wonders of Russia, they gave rise to many local legends and in the past constituted a site of religious importance for the Mansi people.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankThe republic’s population is nearly 1 million, with about 700,000 living in cities.
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The republic’s population is nearly 1 million, with about 700,000 living in cities.
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The village of Krivoi Navolok, Komi Republic.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankThe residents of the village of Krivoi Navolok, Komi Republic, celebrating their Village Day.
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The residents of the village of Krivoi Navolok, Komi Republic, celebrating their Village Day.
© Yugyd Va National Park / G. BatulaCattle-breeding is the republic's major agricultural industry. To this day, reindeer herders graze their deer by moving from one pasture to another in a nomadic way.
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© Yugyd Va National Park / G. Batula
Cattle-breeding is the republic's major agricultural industry. To this day, reindeer herders graze their deer by moving from one pasture to another in a nomadic way.
© Flickr / at8eqeq3The Komi Republic is one of the last European regions that has preserved pristine forests, with the largest of them located in the eastern part of the republic, close to the Ural Mountains.
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The Komi Republic is one of the last European regions that has preserved pristine forests, with the largest of them located in the eastern part of the republic, close to the Ural Mountains.
© Photo : Pechoro-Ilychsky Nature Reserve Komi’s wildlife counts nearly 4,400 of living species, belonging to 31 classes and 10 phyla, including 50 newly discovered species of spiders.
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© Photo : Pechoro-Ilychsky Nature Reserve
Komi’s wildlife counts nearly 4,400 of living species, belonging to 31 classes and 10 phyla, including 50 newly discovered species of spiders.
© Photo : Syktyvkar Administration Official WebsiteThe city of Syktyvkar, Komi Republic.
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© Photo : Syktyvkar Administration Official Website
The city of Syktyvkar, Komi Republic.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankTimber is the principal building material in the republic.
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Timber is the principal building material in the republic.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankThe village of Krivoi Navolok, in the Komi Republic.
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The village of Krivoi Navolok, in the Komi Republic.