Soomaa is a land of large mires and overflowing rivers. The national park occupies an area of more than 400 km2 containing five bogs separated by woodlands and rivers with extensive floodplains. The slope gradient of rivers is small in this area, consequently the rivers springing from the upland areas become overfilled with water during the snow-melting period. This period is known as the "fifth season" in local terminology. Every place becomes flooded - the meadows, fields, forests, roads and sometimes even houses. The dependence of people on the caprices of nature has made it possible to preserve the archaic lifestyle. For example people still use and make ancient watercraft called haabjas ('dugout') - a boat carved out from a single aspen trunk. Soomaa is very popular among canoeists, as the canoeing is one of the best ways to explore the wilderness of the area. Additionally, hikers may choose between different nature tracks. The visiting centre of the national park is located in Tõramaa.
Links:
www.soomaa.ee
www.soomaa.com
www.soomaa.net
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