The biosphere reserve Spreewald
Monday, 23 February 2015 - 08:38 am (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination: European Union / Europäische Union Environment , UNESCO World Heritage
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Spreewaldgurke – Cucumber of the Spree Forest © spreewald-info.de
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The Spreewald (German for “Spree forest”) is situated 100 km south-east of Berlin and designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1991. It is known for its traditional irrigation system which consists of more than 200 small channels (called “Fließe”; total length : 1,300 km ) within the 484-square-kilometre (187 sq mi) area. The landscape was shaped during the ice-age. Alder forests on wetlands and pine forests on sandy dry areas are characteristic for the region, however, also grasslands and fields can be found.
About 18,000 kinds of animals, flowers and plants are there. In 1991 the Spreewald got the approval of UNESCO as a “Biosphärenreservat” (Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme).
A tourist boat on a Spree Forest canal in Lübbenau-Lehde © Reinhard Kraasch
As of 1998 about 50,000 people live in the biosphere reserve. Many of them are descendants of the first settlers in the Spreewald region, the Slavic tribes of the Sorbs/Wends. Until today, they have preserved their traditional language, customs and clothing.
People mostly depend on tourism. Many tourists enjoy the exploration of the Spreewald in punts. However, also agriculture, forestry and fishery are important sources of income. The principal town of the area is Lübbenau.
Read more on
spreewald.de ,
spreewald-info.com ,
Cucumber of the Spree Forest – Online Shop (German only),
Spree Forest Cycle Route and
Wikipedia Spree Forest . Learn more about the
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