Raifa Biosphere Reserve is situated in the middle of the European part of Russia in the high-density population region - in Tatarstan Republic (the population density is 120 persons/sq. km), with highly developed industry and agriculture. Only 17 % of the region is covered by forest. The GVKBR consists of four clusters: Raifa Forest, Sarali Land between Rivers, Spassk Insular Archipelago, Sviyzhsk Wetland Area. All of them are not far from the capital of Tatarstan Republic - city Kazan (see map). In correspondence to the Seville strategy, all clusters have core area, buffer zone and transition zone. The territory of the BR is distinguished for its biodiversity. The natural communities of coniferous, mixed, broadleaved forests, meadow steppes, herbaceous and sphagnum swamps, meadows and lakes together with the aquatic and semi-aquatic systems of the largest in Europe Kuibyshev Reservoir are present here.

on this subject: Man and the Biosphere Programme