Russia is the largest country in the world, with a total land area of over 17 million square kilometres.0:07
It's no surprise that it is full of incredible natural wonders.0:15
Some of these places, however, are so wonderful and so fragile that maybe we shouldn't go there.0:19
The Orda Cave, the Western Urals.0:26
Just as Neil Armstrong once reported back from the moon, a team of daring and experienced cave divers recently got the chance to go where no one had ever been before when they explored the longest underwater gypsum crystal cave0:29
At temperatures barely above freezing and carrying heavy and expensive equipment, the divers took photographs in order to show people the 3-mile-long underwater wonderland.0:44
The unique cave is full of stunning rock structures.0:54
Because of the gypsum, a mineral that can form clear crystals, the water was so clear that the divers could see over 45 meters ahead of them.0:58
The environment in the cave is so delicate though that even air bubbles from the divers could damage it.1:07
Because of this, the team used an underwater funnel to take their air bubbles safely out of the cave.1:14
They hope that now people can see the stunning photographs of the cave, they will understand how important it is for precious places like this to be protected.1:20
Kronotsky Nature Reserve, Kamchatka Peninsula.1:31
This remote nature reserve along Russia's Pacific coast covers over 10,000 kilometers.1:35
Frequently described as the land of fire and ice, it is home to the Geyser Valley, with the second largest number of steaming geysers in the world.1:42
In 2007, the valley was badly damaged by a massive mudslide.1:50
This didn't affect one of the most amazing sights in the valley though, the Velikan Geyser, which erupts every 6 hours, shooting tons of water 30 meters into the air.1:56
Within the valley also lies the 10-kilometer-wide Uzon Caldera, a collapsed volcanic cone where magma heats groundwater to near boiling point, and there are hundreds of bubbling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs.2:06
As if all this isn't enough, fly over the crater of the Malý Semíáček volcano, and you'll see a stunning turquoise acid lake.2:21
It isn't uncommon to spot the footprints of brown bears on a trip here either, of which there are over 700 in the reserve, along with eagles, leaping salmon, and other rare wildlife.2:30
The wonders at this UNESCO World Heritage Site are endless, but the only way to visit it is by helicopter, and a day trip costs at least $700.2:41
Well, perhaps not quite the only way.2:51
An online virtual tour of the Geyser Valley has recently been launched.2:54
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