Kronotsky Biosphere State Reserve was founded in 1934. Its area is 1142 thousand ha, of which 135 thousand ha is accounted by water area. It is located on the eastern shore of the Kamchatka peninsula and is bordered by natural boundaries - the rivers Chazhma and Semyachik, the pacific Ocean shore, and the Valaginsky Ridge. Lake Kronotskoe is situated in the inter-mountain depression. A chain of 16 volcanoes goes along Kronotskoye Lake; the highest of them is the dome of Kronotskaya (33528 m above sea level). In the eastern part of Kronotsky state reserve mountains are lower ( up to 1400 m above the sea level); mountain- glacier landscapes are widely present here. The greatest of the glaciers (Tyushevsky) reaches 8 km in length. The network of rivers and streams is dense- one each 100 ha of area are 650 rivers and streams, on average, are located. The Kronotsky biosphere state reserve has a unique natural feature - The "Valley of Geysers". Along 6 km of the valley of the river Geysernaya at the foot of Kikhpinych volcano 22 big geysers function. With changes oh height several landscape belts can be seen- sea shore, forests, bush thickets, and forestless highlands. Near the shore line sites of bushy and moss tundras are met. Forests are composed mostly of birch wood-meadow of Betula ermanii. Among rare communities in the reserve are plantations of Chosenia and Populus komarovii. There are isolated forest sites of Dahurain Iarch (on the Northern coast of Kronotskoye Lake), and a grove of Abies sachalinensis ( on the lower parts of the river Stary Semyechik).Flora accounts for 810 plant species, including 38 which are and endemic. Groups of Fimbristulis ochotensis, true mosses, Lycopus, and sometimes - of Ophioglossum thermale are especially notable. The animal world is formed of representatives of taiga and tundra fauna with some steppe species (Citellus parryi, Marmota camchatica). Widely spread subspecies are often present with larger than usual and more darkly colored( the Okhotsky subspecies of wild reindeer, Kamchatka species of sable, Kamchatka brown bear, etc.) Kronotsky biosphere state reserve is distinguished by its very high density of brown bear. At the sea shore sea birds and sea animal communities are located. In the lakes and in near - sea tundras numerous waterfowl nest. Of rare and disappearing animals in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation there are met: sea beaver, Steller's sea eagle, fish hawk, Artic falcon, and Aleutian tern. The reserve has biosphere status. It integrates the South-Kamchatka Federal Nature Zacaznik under its jurisdiction. It belongs to the World Natural Heritage Site "Volcanoes of Kamchatka"(since 1996).