July 26, 2021

Locating Lotuses


Locating Lotuses
Not only is the lotus beautiful, but it is said to have medicinal properties as well.  Photo by Parul Gupta via Unsplash

Specialists from the Russian Ministry of Culture and Tourism have developed an interactive map of blossoming lotus flowers in the Astrakhan region

The digital map is available on Yandex.Maps, so it is possible to not only zoom in on each tagged location and see pictures, but you can also create travel routes between the different points to plan your lotus-viewing journey. Some of the tagged locations just give descriptions of villages or parks where it is possible to see lotuses in general, while others have more specific instructions as to where the flowers can be found specifically. 

The specific variety of lotus that grows in Astrakhan is called the Caspian lotus, and it is the northernmost growing lotus flower in the world. It begins to blossom every year in late July and continues through mid-September. 

A word of warning: if you do decide to go and search for the lotuses in Astrakhan, keep away from the camels

You Might Also Like

Precious Water
  • July 01, 2019

Precious Water

A shortage of clean drinking water threatens to become the main ecological problem of our time.
Astrakhan
  • July 05, 2016

Astrakhan

Let's go south with Liailia Gimadeeva, who acquaints us with the beauty and wonders of Astrakhan!
Criminal Camels
  • August 09, 2020

Criminal Camels

A herd of camels, released by an 83-year-old pensioner, is wreaking havoc in Astrakhan region.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955