Geography

The Braslav region is located in the north-west of the Vitebsk oblast. The total area of the region is 2.2 thousand square kilometers. The population of the region is 32,150 people (as of January 1, 2007).

The region borders on the Scharkovschina, Miory and Postavy regions. The town of Braslav is the center of the region. The population of Braslav is 9.8 thousand people. The region includes the town of Vidzy (the population is 1,954 people), 628 villages. Roads to Scharkovschina, Druya, Postavy and Daugavpils (Latvia) run through the region. The oil-pipe line Druzhba runs through the region as well.

The Braslav region is one of the most beautiful places of Belarus. There are many lakes surrounded with picturesque hills in the region. The most beautiful places abundant in lakes and hills are located in the north of the region.

The major part of the region is situated within the bounds of the Braslav Ridge, the south part of the region – the Polotsk Lowland. The region’s highest point is 210 meters. Minerals: peat, fusible clays, sand-gravel materials.

A 1.2-km ridge is located between the lakes of Nedrovo and Potsekh. It is 30-35 meters high. The ridge was formed as early as the glacial age. The Western Dvina River with confluents Disna and Druika run through the region.

Lakes occupy 10% of the total area of the Braslav region. The largest lakes are Dryvyaty, Snudy, Strusto, Boginskoe, Drysvyaty and Richi. The Braslav lake area includes 31 lakes the total area of which – 113.2 square kilometers. The lakes are interconnected by small rivers, streams and canals. Agricultural areas occupy 43% of the region. Forests cover about 35% of the total area. 

The National Park Braslav Lakes was founded in 1995. It takes one third of the Braslav region and stretches 56 kilometers from north to south and from 7 to 29 kilometers from west to east. Lakes occupy around 13% of the reserve. Forest covers 46% of Braslav Lakes area.

The National Park Braslav Lakes has rich fauna. There are more than 20 species of fish including eel, zander, pike, burbot, more than 200 species of birds, 189 of which nest in the reserve, and 800 specimen of flora.

The National Park Braslav Lakes includes the landscape reserve Mezhozerny, the biological reserve Zabolotie, the hydrological reserve Richi.