Lake Svitiaz

Shatsk territorial community includes 31 settlements. It is is situated in the north-western part of Ukraine and borders with the Republic of Belarus and Poland.

Shatsk has got a long history and some cultural attractions. Shatsk National Nature Park contains a varied flora and fauna and it is a part of “West Polesie” Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, which was established on the borders of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus and is under UNESCO protection. On its territory there are 30 lakes that cover an area of approximately 8,000 hectares, thus representing one of the biggest lake groups in Europe. The largest lake in the park is Lake Svitiaz (2,622 hectares and 58.4 meters deep).

The unique nature of the region hosts approximately 80 thousands of migrating swimming birds. This makes Shatsk national nature park a perfect location for watching different kinds of birds, including some threatened ones. The park is also a scientific institution, where its scientific department together with specialists from the other scientific institutions perform constant research to provide stable ecological processes, disturbed natural ecosystems optimization and recreational usage of the territory.

Many people visit the area to swim in the lakes, cycle or practice other water sports such as canoeing.

Cover picture by Ihor Tsvyd