The Region
The essence of the Korgalzhyn region
Wetlands inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their exceptional importance to birdlife
International importance
Saryarka — the steppe and lakes of Northern Kazakhstan
In 2000 the lakes of the region joined the global Living Lakes network.
In 2008 the Korgalzhyn region was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its exceptional importance to migratory birds. The region lies at the crossing of three flyways: the Central Asian–Indian, the Siberian–East African and the Siberian–North African.
Water bodies
A mosaic of lakes across the steppe plains
A great number of saline and freshwater lakes, rich in fish and vegetation, able to feed more than 5 million waterbirds and shorebirds during migration, breeding and moulting.
Ecosystem
From semi-desert to reed-fringed lakeshores
The region preserves untouched stretches of the Eurasian steppe: silver feather-grass plains, salt marshes and reed-fringed lakes.
The ecosystem creates favourable conditions for wildlife and its inhabitants — breeding colonies of flamingos, pelicans, herons, cormorants and gulls, herds of saiga antelope and colonies of bobak marmots.
At a glance
- Ramsar wetland
- since 1976
- Living Lakes network · IBA
- since 2000
- UNESCO listed
- since 2008
- From Astana
- ~130 km
Korgalzhyn region · Akmola Oblast · Kazakhstan