Description of the attraction
In the south-west of Karelia there is a wonderful and unique lake - Lake Yanisyarvi. People settled on the shores of this lake in the Stone Age. There were always a lot of fish here, and in the forests that surround the lake, there were always animals that could be hunted. Later, when people began to engage in agriculture and construction, some of the local residents lived by cultivating the nearby lands, which are very fertile, and some by deforestation. With the appearance of sawmills here, many residents of the glorious lake began to live off the harvesting and rafting of timber. At the bottom of the lake, an unknown ore and marble were found, which were raised to the surface and sold. Local residents called the lake "the lake-breadwinner", since all their income came only from it. At that time, no one thought about when, and under what circumstances this wonderful lake-breadwinner arose.
Scientists began to study the lake only in the twenties of the last century. Finnish geologist Eskola has thoroughly studied the lake and all the nearby islands. He discovered unusual rocks on the islands and in the center of the lake. The researcher suggested that these unusual rocks are the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred about 700 million years ago.
Other researchers believe that Lake Yanisjärvi was formed as a result of a meteorite fall and that it is nothing more than a fractured meteorite crater. This hypothesis is supported by glassy rocks of dark green and dark gray plates, which are found here in large numbers. Another circumstance that testifies in favor of this hypothesis is that the lake is located in a basin about 80 meters deep and about 18 kilometers wide. The average depth of the lake is 11.6 meters, and the greatest is 57 meters. It is these parameters that could be obtained as a result of the fall of a meteorite-asteroid. Indeed, the composition of many rocks found here is composed of minerals that could only have formed as a result of the impact of a huge meteorite on the surface of the Earth. One way or another, the opinions of scientists agree on one thing: the age of Lake Yanisjärvi is about seven million years!
The ancient history of this unusual lake still attracts scientists, researchers and curious tourists. However, in addition to scientific interest, the lake attracts primarily with its extraordinary beauty. There are forty-three most picturesque islands around it. The lake itself is calm, with very clean, transparent water in which fish and other aquatic inhabitants are found. Avid fishermen say that there are roach, pike, bream, perch, whitefish, ruff, burbot, salmon - about 14 species in total. The lake is able to delight and surprise the most demanding fisherman.
There are rocky, rocky shores all around, completely covered with forest. Virgin nature, age-old forests, fresh air and a calm surface of water under a deep blue sky - this is what opens up to the eye when approaching the lake.
The lake itself has an oval shape, slightly elongated towards the north and south. On the western side of the lake, there are two fairly large bays - Kontiolepyalahti and Kirkkolahti. There are also two bays on the south side: Ulmalahti and Oravanniemenlahti. From the lake, on the southern side, flows the river Janisjoki. thanks to the rocky terrain, the river turned out to be rapids and very picturesque at the end of its path the river flows into Lake Ladoga. But the lake itself replenishes its water reserves from 20 small streams and rivers.
Tourists who have visited this place claim that it looks like the Swiss lakes. One way or another, this is a place for everyone who is tired of the bustle of the city, from the noise of civilization. Here, in the bosom of picturesque virgin nature, you can relax, gain strength, think about the greatness of nature and understand that we are part of it, an integral part of this eternal beauty and harmony.
