Lake Onega message. Lake Onega (Republic of Karelia, Leningrad region, Vologda region)
In the wonderful northern region of Karelia, among rocks, forests and swamps, there is a large Lake Onega, which is often called the younger brother of Ladoga. Maybe because it is the second largest lake in Europe, or maybe also because they were formed almost simultaneously, after the retreat of the last glaciers. And although Lake Onega is almost two times smaller, and much smaller than Lake Ladoga ( average depth- 30 meters), but the water here is of very high quality, it is considered much purer than Ladoga.
The lake has long been called Onego, and there is still debate about the origin of its name. Many believe that the reservoir got its name from the ancient Finnish language, and means “smoking lake”, since strong fogs became a frequent occurrence in this place. According to another version, Onego is a noisy lake; according to a third, the name means “large, significant.” There is also a version that the lake got its name from one of the 50 rivers that flow into it. But most likely, this river got its name from the lake. It is also curious that only one river flows from Onega - the Svir, which carries its waters to the great Ladoga.
Lake Onega is rich in islands, there are more than 1500 of them. Shores of the islands rugged by bays and bays, they give Onega a peculiar charm and picturesqueness. And a number of rocky capes, polished by the glacier and the Onega wave, became sheets of a stone book, on which ancient man more than four thousand years ago he chronicled his life. Petroglyphs of Lake Onega, depicting men, birds, lizards, tools, boats, deer, swans, fish and some mysterious signs, in the form of mysterious circles and lines, are located for the most part on the east coast.
The ichthyofauna of Lake Onega is very diverse; more than 47 species of fish are found here: from bream and crucian carp to trout and salmon. Therefore, fishing has become one of the main types of recreation in the Onega region. Lake Onega is also very popular among yachtsmen. The festival of wooden ships “Blue Onego” and the All-Russian sailing regatta of cruising yachts “Onego” are held here.
Watch the video: Fishing trips - fishing on Lake Onega. Part 1
Part 2
The main attraction of the lake is the island of Kizhi, where the State Historical, Architectural and Ethnographic Museum-Reserve is located. And the Kizhi Pogost, consisting of the twenty-two-domed Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the nine-domed Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and a hipped bell tower, has long become the hallmark of Karelia.
See where Onega is located on the map:
Sorry, the card is temporarily unavailable Sorry, the card is temporarily unavailable
Lake Onega can be considered one of the treasures of Karelia, where thousands of tourists from different cities come.
Lake Onega is the second largest freshwater lake in Europe. Its other name sounds like Onego, which is no coincidence. There are several opinions about the reasons for the appearance of the name. From the point of view of scientists, the reservoir received its name from the river flowing next to it. Another opinion is due to the fact that in the area where the reservoir is located there is often fog, which is why it received the name Onego - translated from ancient Finnish as a smoking lake. About 1000 rivers flow into Lake Onega, and only one flows out - the Svir.
Its area is approximately 9.9 thousand square meters. km. The depth varies in different areas. In the northern part the depth is 127 m, and closer to the south it is only 20-30 m. In the spring, Lake Onega is characterized by a rise in water, which lasts for 1.5-2 months. Storms are frequent. The weather is unpredictable, calm can instantly give way to a storm. In some parts of the lake the water is so clear that it can be seen to a depth of up to 8 m. The water is of high quality.
Lake Onega is especially popular among fishermen. Which is not at all surprising, since it is famous for its fish wealth. It is home to various fish, including valuable commercial fish such as trout and salmon. In total, 47 species of fish live in the reservoir. In addition, at the mouths of some tributaries of Lake Onega there is a bivalve mollusk that forms pearls the size of a pea. Pearl fishermen come to the pond in search of a precious ball, but finding a pearl takes a lot of effort.
Lake Onega is very surprising for its shape, structure of the shores, complex bottom topography, water quality, picturesque bays, mesmerizing sunsets and dawns. Sunsets and sunrises are especially mesmerizing. The shores are mostly sandy, but there are also rocky and even marshy shores. In the middle of the lake there are a lot of islands, in total there are about 1,500 islands, among which there are wild ones, covered with dense forests, some of the islands are inhabited by people.
Lake Onega is the pride of Russia and is located in its northern part. It is huge in size, in size, among freshwater bodies of Europe, second only to Lake Ladoga.
And in terms of area on the globe it ranks 20th. The lake attracts lovers of amazing fishing and connoisseurs of harsh nature with dense forests and interesting historical places. The water in the lake is fresh and very clean. It’s easy to find Lake Onega on a map of Russia, just look at the labels carefully and know the location.
Lake Onega on the map of Russia
Lake Onega, by its location, unites two regions - Leningrad and Vologda, as well as Karelia, is located in the basin Baltic Sea. But its main part is still located in Karelia - 80% of the lake’s area.
On the shores of Lake Onega there are the cities of Medvezhyegorsk, Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga, Povenets, Shuya, Girvas. Near Pindushi, Pyalma, Chelmuzhi, Peschanoye and others settlements. There are 57 of them in total, but the bulk of the population, about 90%, lives in the three largest cities.
Part of the lake’s area (about 50 sq. km) is made up of islands; the largest are Kizhi, Suisari, Klimetsky, Kerk and are located mainly in the northern part of the lake. It is noteworthy that as many as 50 rivers flow into Lake Onega, but only the Svir River, which connects this lake with Ladoga, has its source.
How to get there?
You can get to Lake Onega in different ways - by train, by car, or by water. From any city you can come to Petrozavodsk by train and start your journey from this city, or maybe limit it to it. By train you can come to the city of Kondopoga, and to Medvezhyegorsk, and to Voznesenye, and to Vyterga.
Considering that the lake is navigable and belongs to the waterway, motor ships regularly ply along it, on which you can go to the opposite shore without making a car detour along the shore.
To the islands in summer time You can get there from Petrozavodsk without any problems by "Komet", but in winter it will be more difficult. Here you will have to opt for a helicopter or try a more extreme method - a snowmobile or hovercraft, straight on the Onega ice.
Lake Onega interesting facts and origin
The origin of Lake Onega is glacial-tectonic, which means that it arose as a result of the melting of a glacier in places of tectonic depressions in the earth’s crust.
Thanks to the glacier, certain forms of relief were polished, which allowed the appearance of valleys and high ridges of different widths. Well, the water of the melting glacier first filled the Littorina Sea, which over time was reborn into Lake Onega.
In the place where the lake is now located, 400 million years ago everything was covered by a shelf sea. But there is no reliable information about the origin of the name of the lake, and not all sources even recognize another name, Onego, saying that it has nothing to do with this lake.
However, Onego is the Old Russian name for this lake, which cannot be said about the word “Onega”, because this is already the name of a river that does not even come into contact with Lake Onega.
According to one version, the name of the lake comes from the Finnish language and means “sound,” that is, a sonorous or noisy lake. There are other versions of what the name could mean. Either it is a low-lying plain, translated from the Sami, or significant and huge, translated from the Baltic-Finnish. And there is also an option that in translation this name means pleasure or satisfaction.
What Lake Onega is like: features
Lake Onega is not a simple freshwater body of water, it is also pure water, and a variety of fish, which means favorite place fishermen and spearfishers, and beautiful nature, and crystal air, and rugged shores, and magnificent sunrises, and enchanting sunsets.
Almost 50 species of fish are found here, many of which are of industrial importance, and this is almost all of those found in Karelia. The fishing season starts in mid-May and lasts until December.
Of course, given such favorable conditions for fishing, in many areas you can rent boats and fishing equipment, which will make the lot easier for tourists and add variety to their vacation.
Every year the Russian Sailing Championships are held here. cruising yachts, attracting a huge number of fans and tourists. The lake is navigable, but frequent storms often make water transportation difficult. Passenger transport by water is not regular, but some routes are quite constant.
Attractions
The entire coastline of Lake Onega is teeming with attractions - a variety of architectural buildings, temples, and interesting historical villages.
True, getting to all these objects is not so easy, so be prepared for a long hike, in which there will be few hotels and guest yards, but there will be many villages with hospitable hosts.
If you have enough time to travel around the entire shore of Lake Onega, then get ready to hit the road, you won’t regret it. Well, you can start the journey from the very large city on the lake - Petrozavodsk.
What region is Petrozavodsk and how far is it?
This city is the largest on Lake Onega, the capital of the Republic of Karelia. Of course, there are more places worth visiting in this city than anywhere else on Lake Onega. Definitely worth a visit National Museum Karelia and get acquainted with the life and color of the Russian North.
There are also famous Petroglyphs here, which attract tourists so much. But you can meet modern art in the form of various sculptures by visiting the city’s embankment.
In addition to avant-garde compositions and monuments, various unusual events and historical reconstructions are constantly taking place here. Here you can admire the lake or go by water to Kizhi Island.
Various attractions, including a Ferris wheel with a wonderful view, await you in the recreation park of Petrozavodsk. And if you want to see with your own eyes the three-million-dollar collections of stones and minerals, then you should definitely go to the Museum of Precambrian Geology.
Also, in Petrozavodsk there is medical resort Marcial waters with healing mud and a museum about its history, as well as wonderful healing air. Don't forget about the postal museum and maritime museum, and about the Museum of Industrial History.
Although the city's founding began with the construction of factories and was not intended as a place for tourism, over the years, many places have accumulated here, forcing people to travel great distances to see them.
Karelia City Medvezhyegorsk
This is one of the ancient Russian cities on Lake Onega. As the name suggests, its peculiarity is the huge number of bears.
There is really nothing to be afraid of, they are mostly made of wood, bronze or plaster. You are unlikely to see a real furry bear. But there are other attractions here.
For example, a hundred year old railroad station, which has retained its appearance and even its heating system since its construction.
Don't go far from the station, but take a look at the history museum railway transport. Also visit the local history museum, which is housed in a beautiful ship-shaped building.
But, of course, the main attraction is the nature of Lake Onega surrounded by pine forests. It will be interesting here both in winter and summer.
In the warm season, you will enjoy going for mushrooms, of which there is a great variety; and fishing with the obligatory catch in the form of roach, sabrefish or even catfish; and water travel by boat; and unforgettable beach holiday on fine sand; and healing baths in a shungite pool.
But with the onset of cold weather, Medvezhyegorsk should be appreciated ski resort and other snow fun - ride on the ice of a frozen lake or in the snow on airboats, in dog sleds or using other unusual devices.
Kizhi Island on which lake?
The main attraction is not even the island of Kizhi itself, but the unique museum-reserve of the same name located on its territory. open air, one of the largest in Russia.
The wooden architectural monuments in his possession cannot but please the eye. There are no residential buildings or hotels on the island, only ancient buildings, examples of peasant settlements, churches, mills, chapels, and barns.
Be sure to leave at least a whole day for visiting Kizhi, because it takes a huge amount of time to get around everything and you won’t want to miss the slightest corner.
And if you want to extend your acquaintance with this place for several days, you can rent a room on some neighboring island, from there they organize excursions or simply transport you on boats.
However, organized excursions People travel to this federal reserve from both St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk by boat, and in winter by dog sled on the ice of Lake Onega.
The most remarkable building on Kizhi Island can be called the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. You definitely won’t miss it and can see it from anywhere on the island, because it’s as tall as an 11-story building. Wonderful facades, smooth, ideal-looking wooden domes located at different heights compensate for the fact that the church can only be admired from the outside.
It amazes with its majesty and the impression is enhanced by the realization that it was built without a single nail. But you can go inside to the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and see ancient icons and paintings of church content.
In general, it is impossible to list all the attractions of the island - every building, every mill, has cultural significance, is of interest and is famous for a certain history.
Visit the house of the peasant Oshevnev and the house of Sergeev, compare the water and windmills, look at the ancient baths and admire the chapels. And don’t neglect time to quietly enjoy nature, which is beautiful anywhere on the shores of Lake Onega.
Kondopoga city Karelia
Previously, this place was a village, and now it is the second largest city in Karelia after Petrozavodsk, but more ancient. In addition to its attractions, the city of Kondopoga is famous for the lovely lakes and rivers located in the area, magnificent nature, wonderful fishing and the possibility of organizing rafting on the Suna River.
Holland gave the city a wonderful gift - these are bell compositions that produce incredibly melodic, enchanting sounds.
The bells are located on the arch and also on the pillars, and their ringing is controlled using modern computer technology. Of course, you can’t do without a local local history museum, in which exhibits tell the story of the transformation and reincarnation of Kondopoga, as well as the life of the Karelian people.
When you get tired of visiting museums, go straight to the Kivach waterfall. It is located in a nature reserve, the name of which is similar to the name of the waterfall. In addition to the ten-meter waterfall, you will be amazed by three-hundred-year-old pine trees and an arboretum.
Among the natural beauties, one can also note Mount Sampo, which is considered a place of incredible strength and fulfillment of desires. The mountain can be considered observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of Lake Onega and the adjacent forests.
Don’t be lazy and go to the very top, because it won’t take too much effort, but the result will be worth it - you will enjoy the beautiful view.
Klimenets Island
Most large peninsula Lake Onega is Zaonezhsky, located in its northern part. But to the south of it is located the most big Island– Klimenetsky, on whose territory the Holy Trinity Monastery is located, or rather its ruins.
It is significant in that it operated back in the 18th century and is practically the oldest stone monastery on the territory of Karelia.
Archaeologists and tourists will definitely not bypass this place and come to see the preserved fragments of frescoes with their own eyes.
Of course, this is not all that the island attracts. It attracts lovers secluded relaxation in nature, because here you have the opportunity to forget about the bustle of the outside world, go fishing and sunbathe on the sandy beach.
Lake Onega is the second largest lake in all of Europe. This lake is 2 times smaller than Lake Ladoga and contains three times less Veda. However, at the same time, the water in Lake Onega is of the highest quality: it is much purer than Ladoga water, and even the water in Lake Baikal.
The length of Lake Onega from north to south is 248 kilometers, and from west to east – 96 kilometers. Here a large number of capes, islands, lips and bays. The total number of all islands is 1500.
The shores of the lake are mostly sandy and pebble, but at the same time there may be rock outcrops. The shores of the northern region of Lake Onega consist of crystalline rocks, they are rugged and elevated. The topography of the lake bottom is quite simple, especially in its northern part. Lake Onega is home to almost all species of fish that are known in the reservoirs of Karelia. More than 110 tributaries flow into this lake.
Lake Onega. general characteristics
Lake Onega is one of the largest freshwater bodies of water in Karelia, which is located in its southeastern part. The total area of the water surface of Lake Onega is 10,050 km2, and the total area including the islands is 10,340 km2. The maximum width of the lake is 248 kilometers, and the maximum width is 83 kilometers. The total number of islands is 1650, with an area of 290 km2. The length of the entire coastline is 1542 kilometers, and together with the islands - 2699 kilometers. The total volume of water masses is 295 km3. The height of Lake Onega above sea level is 33 m2.
The lake has an elongated oblong shape from the northwestern part to the southeastern part. Lake Onega is divided into several large bays and reaches. It is divided into 3 main parts:
- The main part is Central Onego.
- Northwestern region - Bolshoye Onego.
- The northeastern region, which consists of Maly Onego, Kuzarandsky Onego, Pyalemsky Onego, Tolvuisky Onego, Povenetsky Onego, Bolshaya Guba and a number of small bays.
Sandy and rocky shores predominate here. Rocky shores are common in the northern part of the lake and in the area west coast. Sandy shores stretch from the mouth of the Vodla River to the source of the Svir River.
The area of the Lake Onega river basin is 51,540 km2. From it, approximately 16 km3 of water flows into the lake every year.
The water level in the lake changes every year. This is mainly due to the amount of precipitation. The constant current is expressed only in some parts of Lake Onega and is weak.
Lake Onega is one of the deepest reservoirs in Karelia (after Lake Ladoga). Its average depth is 29.4 meters and its maximum depth is 120 meters. At a depth of up to 10 meters there is approximately 26 percent of the total area of the lake, at a depth of up to 20 meters - 42 percent, at a depth of up to 40 meters - 69 percent, and at a depth of up to 60 meters - 92 percent.
The bottom topography of Lake Onega is quite complex. This especially applies to the northern part of the lake. This lake is characterized by depressions and rises in the bottom. Typical landforms for the lake are selgi, luds, underwater ridges and ridges, holes and depressions. In addition, the lake also has some areas with a flat bottom. The soils of Lake Onega are very diverse. Rocky, stony-sandy, sandy and sandy-gravel soils are found here. The colors of the water in Lake Onega range from light yellow to yellow or orange-brown.
Lake Onega. Flora and fauna
Higher aquatic vegetation is the least common in Lake Onega. Its thickets can be found only in the northern part, in small bays and other places that are protected from waves.
The total length of the thickets is approximately 1 percent of the length of the entire coastline. These thickets mainly consist of reeds, and in some places you can find pondweed, reeds, water lilies, horsetails, villains, egg capsules, sedges and other types of vegetation.
The fauna of the lake is quite diverse, if we talk about its quality. Here you can see aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans, water mites, worms, bryozoans, sponges and others. In Lake Onega there are only 350 different forms and species of bottom fauna, however, only 30 percent of them have a significant distribution in the lake itself, but the rest are quite rare.
The richest and most diverse population is the thicket areas of the littoral zone, which make up approximately half of the forms and species known for this lake.
The average volume of biomass of the bottom mass of the lake in the summer and autumn periods is 11.5 kg/ha, with an average population of 5.72 million individuals/ha.
Of all the bottom fauna of Lake Onega, the most valuable food for fish are crustaceans, including pontoporea. Oligochaetes, in turn, are quite rarely used by fish as food. The most significant accumulation of food objects is in holes and depressions with a depth of up to 50 meters.
If we talk about the crustacean plankton of the lake, it is distinguished by significant species diversity in composition. In total, 37 species of lower crayfish live in the lake.
In the shallow coastal waters of Lake Onega you can find various forms of planktonic crayfish. Planktonic crustaceans reach their greatest quantitative development in the summer in the surface layer of water.
In terms of the abundance of crayfish, as well as their biomass in the horizon up to 2 meters, Lake Onega is an average productive reservoir in the entire republic. However, individual areas of this lake are unequal in terms of food resources in the shallow, most warmed areas.
In addition, if we talk about feeding, the composition of the crustacean plankton of Lake Onega has a number of positive features. The plankton of the lake is significantly dominated by cladocerans, most the masses of which constitute valuable food substances, which include holopedium and bosmina.
Lake Onega. Fish
In Lake Onega you can find almost all species of fish that are known for the reservoirs of Karelia. This lake is inhabited by sturgeons (sterlet), salmonids (salmon, trout, brook trout, pike fish, pit fish, vendace, whitefish), choriaceae (grayling), smelt fish (smelt), pike fish (pike), carp fish (roach, dace, silver bream, sabrefish, bream, golden crucian carp), loaches (mustached char, spined loach), catfish (catfish), eels (eels), perch (pike perch, perches, ruffs), gobies (Onega slingshots, lopars, sculpin), sticklebacks (nine-spined sticklebacks, three-spined sticklebacks), cod (lake burbot and lake-river burbot). Of the minigidae, the most common are the river lamprey and the brook lamprey.
In general, Lake Onega is home to 47 varieties and species of fish, which belong to 13 families and 34 species. It is possible to find chub in the lake.
The greatest fishing value in the lake is given to 17 species of fish, namely vendace, whitefish, ruffe, roach, pike, pike perch, pike perch, smelt, salmon, bream and perch, and the least important are crucian carp, ide, dace, bleak and grayling. Other species of fish in Lake Onega are quite rare.
The main commercial fish of this lake is vendace. It is common in almost all places. The vendace feeds only on crustacean plankton. In turn, kilets is a large form of vendace. It is mainly found in the southern part of the lake. Smelt is an object of mass fishing. But at the same time, it will also be used as food for fish such as pike perch, salmon, burbot and palia. If we talk about whitefish, there are 9 different forms of them in Lake Onega. In addition, all whitefish are divided into 2 large groups - lake-river whitefish and lake whitefish. Also in Lake Onega there is also burbot, or rather its two forms - lake-river and lake burbot. Burbot, like vendace, is ubiquitous. Pike perch is one of the most valuable fisheries on the lake, but its catch is quite small. However, the most common and numerous fish in Lake Onega is the ruffe, which is found at a depth of up to 70 meters. Perch can be found mainly in coastal areas, as well as in the shallow waters of an open lake. Bream are found here in the area of river mouths and sources. But pike is not of significant importance in the fishery of the lake. It lives in shallow, vegetated areas. If we talk about salmon, there are several stocks of this fish in Lake Onega. Now the most numerous is the herd of Shuya salmon.
But one of the most valuable fish of the salmon family is the palia, which is common in the area adjacent to the deepest parts of the lake. Ide in this lake is of insignificant commercial importance, but grayling can be found almost everywhere. Golden crucian carp are very rarely found in Lake Onega, unlike bleak and dace.
This body of water has an interesting shape - it stretches towards the north with tentacle-like bays, its shores are dotted with many headlands, there are also islands overgrown with lush vegetation. Lake Onego is the second largest freshwater body of water in Europe; it is sometimes compared to the majestic Ladoga and called its younger sister.
As is known, they are almost twice as large as Onega, but they were formed at the same time.
History of the origin of the lake
This body of water appeared on the surface of the Earth as soon as the last glaciers that filled it retreated and melted. pure water huge pits that existed long before the formation of the glaciers themselves. Scientists claim that the reason for their appearance was faults and shifts in the earth’s crust in ancient geological eras.
The deep waters of this mysterious lake have seen many amazing creatures that settled here many thousands of years ago. Who knows, perhaps their descendants still live at the bottom of the reservoir.
The lake has an oblong shape, its maximum length, taking into account the river mouths flowing into it, is 245 km. Its widest part is 91 km long.
About 50 rivers flow into this reservoir, while only one flows out - the Svir. Maximum depth The reservoir reaches 107 meters, with an average depth of 30 meters. In terms of purity and transparency of Onego water, it is comparable only to the famous one.
Coastline
The reservoir deservedly enjoys unprecedented popularity among tourists who love to explore remote corners of the country. It is worth noting that the two parts of the lake are strikingly different from each other in the outline of the shores and their structure.
The southern part (the so-called Central Lake Onega) is a wide reach. It is here that the greatest depths are concentrated, and the shores are striking in their diversity - these are rocks, sandbanks, and swamps.
Nature itself divided the northern part of the reservoir into two picturesque bays, which are called Small and Large Onega lakes. They stretched towards the north, crashing their cold waters into the southern edge of the Baltic crystalline shield. Thanks to excellent natural conditions, is well developed here.
Islands of Lake Onega
The surface of the beautiful Lake Onega is literally dotted with numerous islands. In total there are more than 1.5 thousand of them - large and small, rocky and covered with vegetation. The largest islands are Bolshoi Lelikovsky, Klimetsky, and Suisari. One of the most famous among them is the protected island of Kizhi, known for its unique monuments of folk architecture.
Some of the islands are wild, rarely set foot by humans. Many islands attract travelers with an excellent opportunity to spend time alone with nature and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of the Karelian region.
Due to the sheer quantity and variety of fish, the best fishing experience of a lifetime can be staged here. The waters of the lake are especially rich in such species of fish as grayling, whitefish, perch, vendace, roach, and smelt. Lamprey and valuable commercial species such as trout and salmon are also found here.
In addition to trout, which was once brought from the Armenian city of Sevan, the Baikal omul has taken root here and has spread throughout the entire reservoir. The picturesque shores of Lake Onega and its numerous islands will be a wonderful place for those who are interested in real life.
Mysteries of Lake Onega
In the famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg there is an interesting exhibition, which is a huge piece of stone slab weighing several tens of tons. This gigantic block was once part of Lake Onega, or rather, its rocky cape Peri Nos.
Literally the entire surface of the granite slab is covered with ancient images of swans, deer, fish and people. In addition to living figures, you can see numerous signs on the stone in the form of lines and circles. What they mean is still a mystery.
Scientists have established that the age of the rock paintings of Lake Onega is 4 thousand years. The shores of this reservoir have always been inhabited by people, as evidenced by the remains of their ancient sites found in different places.
On the banks of Onego there are the most unique monuments antiquity - this is the Oleneostrovsky burial ground ( City of dead) and Onega Sanctuary. Surely there are others here Amazing places, so far inaccessible to humans. Unraveling the ancient mysteries of the lake is a great reason to head to its shores.
How to relax on the lake
It is famous for its unique corners of nature, where everyone can relax and gain strength. Lake Onega is one of these places.
It’s worth coming here with families or friends, but even single travelers will have something to do in this amazing land. Excellent conditions have been created here for all lovers of an active lifestyle. Exciting hikes, picking berries and mushrooms - all this is available to travelers.
