Zhiguli Nature Reserve
| Zhiguli Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Russian: Жигулёвский заповедник имени И. И. Спрыгина (Also: Zhigulevsky Zapovednik "I.I. Sprygin") | |
Zhiguli Zapovednik | |
| Location | Samara Oblast |
| Nearest city | Zhigulyovsk |
| Coordinates | 53°24′54″N 49°49′17″E / 53.41500°N 49.82139°E |
| Area | 23,157 hectares (57,222 acres; 89 sq mi) |
| Established | 1966 |
| Governing body | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia) |
| Website | http://zhreserve.ru/ |
The Zhiguli Nature Reserve (Russian: Жигулёвский заповедник им. И. И. Спрыгина; also Zhigulevsky) is a Russian 'zapovednik' (strict nature reserve) located on the Samara Bend in the Samara region, where the Volga River swings around the Zhiguli Mountains. The reserved is situated in the Stavropolsky District of Samara Oblast. The reserve is important because of its scientific value in the biodiversity of its closely placed variety of habitats. In 2007, the Zhiguli Reserve was added to the UNESCO Middle Volga Biosphere Reserve, along with the surrounding Samarskaya Luka National Park.