"Lubana Lake" - the largest lake in Latvia

History

The Lubāna Lake formed about 10 to 13 thousand years ago due to the melting of glaciers. Initially, approximately 8300 years ago, the large lake almost disappeared. After a short disappearance (causes of this process are not known yet), the lake formed again, and despite the fluctuations of its level, it has existed for about 3,000 years. This shallow but very large lake, in warm and humid conditions of Atlantic climate, rapidly overgrew and was filled with sediments. As evidenced by archaeological excavations, lowland area at this time was densely populated. It is evidenced by 27 human settlements of the Stone Age found by archeologists.  The great archeological significance of the wetland of Lubāna Lake is usually related to the very first appearance of the population in the then Latvia’s territory after glacial retreat to the north. It is believed that the wetland of Lubāna Lake was one of the largest Neolithic amber-processing centers in the area.

Complex of the Lubāna Wetland

Lubāna Wetland is located around the Lubāna Lake. It covers 513,51 km². 23% of the territory are occupied by water. Besides, there are also another 7 lakes, fish ponds (27 km²) and rivers. 41% of the territory are occupied by coniferous and deciduous forests, 3% - agricultural land, 10% - meadows, 23% - marshes. From a biodiversity perspective, it is a unique place not only in Latvia, but also internationally - more than 257 species of birds have been registered here; about 51 of these species are entered in the Latvian Red Book. There are approximately 20 species of fish living in lakes and rivers.

Lubāna Lake and fish ponds are one of the most important places for resting and feeding of migratory waterfowl in Latvia; during the migration period more than 20,000 water birds can be observed here.