Polesia, Natural landscape in Eastern Belarus and Northwestern Ukraine.
Polesia is a vast expanse of wetlands, peatlands, woodlands, and lakes that spreads across three countries and forms Europe's largest floodplain. The area covers roughly 186,000 square kilometers and hosts a rare diversity of plants and animals in its hard-to-reach zones.
In the late 18th century, the region passed from Polish-Lithuanian rule into Russian hands after the Partitions of Poland. This shift changed land use and brought new settlement patterns to the wetlands.
Local residents call themselves Poleshuki and continue to gather wild honey and use plants for healing purposes. These skills pass from one generation to the next and shape everyday routines in remote villages scattered across swamps and woodlands.
Protected nature areas offer marked trails and viewpoints where you can observe the landscape. Local guides help visitors find animals and plants and explain how to move safely through the swamps.
The Almany Mires cover more than 100,000 hectares and store large amounts of carbon in peat. These wide wetlands provide habitat for rare birds and insects that barely exist elsewhere.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
