Karadag Nature Reserve, one of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the south-eastern part of the Crimean Peninsula, covers 28.7 square kilometers of land and aquatic areas. It was established in 1979 to preserve the region's unique topography of landforms and cliffs, as well as to protect and study rare species of diverse flora and fauna.
The Reserve got its name from a 577-meter-high rock massif on its territory, the Kara Dag ("Black Mount"). It was formed as a result of an ancient Jurassic volcano eruption, nearly 150 million years ago.
A volcanic rock massif of Karadag Nature Reserve seen from the settlement of Kurortnoye, Crimea.
Sea surf in the Pozzolan Bay at Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea.
Golden Gate Rock at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
The coast of the Black Sea, seen from the height of the mountain ridges at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
An inspector at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
Cormorants on the rocks at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
Ivan Razboinik Rock and Pozzolan Bay at Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea.
Cormorants at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
The Kara Dag mountain range during the sunrise at Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea.
Elements of a volcanic rock massif at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
Dolphins in the Black Sea waters at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
A jellyfish in the Black Sea waters at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
A volcanic rock massif at Karadag Nature Reserve seen from a boat at the village of Koktebel in Crimea.
A feather-grass meadow at dawn at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
A volcanic rock massif in Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea.
Flowers at Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
The main building of Karadag biological research station established in 1901 at the site of the modern Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea.
A bird at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea.
A pleasure boat in the water at Karadag Nature Reserve, Crimea.
