Meshchyorsky National Park

Meshchyorsky National Park
Мещерский, Meshchersky
Meshchyorsky National Park
Map showing the location of Meshchyorsky National Park
Map showing the location of Meshchyorsky National Park
Location in Russia
LocationRyazan Oblast
Nearest cityRyazan
Coordinates55°08′N 40°10′E / 55.133°N 40.167°E / 55.133; 40.167
Area6,621 hectares (16,361 acres; 66 km2; 26 sq mi)
Established1992 (1992)
Governing bodyFGBU "Meshchyorsky"
Websitehttp://sovka.narod.ru/7.html

Meshchyorsky National Park (Russian: Национальный парк «Мещерский») covers extensive wetlands (swamps, peat bogs, rivers and lakes) and pine/birch woodlands in the Meshchera Lowlands on the East European Plain in the northern section of Ryazan Oblast, Russia, about 120 km east of Moscow. The wetland habitat provides for extremely rich biodiversity among the plants and animals.[1] "Meshchersky" (Мещёрский) National Park is not to be confused with "Meshchyora" (Мещёра) National Park, which is just to the north, over the border in Vladimir Oblast. The park protects a section of the Pra River, Lake Beloye ("White Lake"), and associated wetlands and forests. About 54% of the park territory is used and managed for agricultural purposes by local communities.[1]

Meshcheyorsk National Park forms a portion of the "Oka and Pra River Floodplains" wetland site under the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar ID #167), as a wetland of international importance.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Official Site: Meshchyorsky National Park". FGBI "national park" Meshchersky.
  2. ^ "Oka and Pra River Floodplains". Ramsar.org.