Keen geographers know that Baikal is the world’s largest freshwater lake, and that it’s home to unique species such as the nerpa freshwater seal. But Lake Baikal is much more than a body of water. Here, two cultures—Russian and Mongol—meet. The area is steeped in shamanism and Buddhism, while the lake’s shores are scored by the tracks of the Trans-Siberian Railway. This is the first English-language guide dedicated to Lake Baikal and its surroundings. It provides full coverage of activities, wildlife, culture and religion, as well as practical information on traveling in this diverse corner of Siberia.