The state nature biosphere reserve "Uvs Nuur basin" is situated on the border with Mongolia. Its length is 160 km from the north to the south, the width is 600 km. the nature reserve was founded in 1993. Its territory includes 9 areas: Kara-Khol, Khan-Deer, Uruku-Shinaa, Ular, Mongun-Taiga, Aryskannyg, Tsugeer-Els, Ub-Su-Nur and Yamadlyg.

Uvs Nuur basin is one of the unique places in Inner Asia where nature created an amazing phenomenon - "a parade of landscapes". The basin is surrounded by mountains. On the bottom of the basin there is a big salty lake Ubsu-Nur. Rivers flow down into the lake from the mountain peaks. Uvs Nuur basin combines different ecosystems which represent almost every natural region of a temperate zone. It turns the basin into a small model of the world - a small biosphere living according to the laws of the planet. We can see here both the northernmost deserts and the southernmost tundras in the world.

This land has witnessed several great people movements. The Scythians, Huns, Turkic and Mongols - all of them left memory about their deeds here. That's why ancient burial mounds and stones are the essential elements of the scenery. The unique combination of different landscapes and archaeological objects make Uvs Nuur basin a valuable natural monument.

The climate here is rather severe. The winter is cold (30 below zero), the summer is warm (20 above zero). But very often the temperature rises up to 35 degrees - Mongolian deserts influence.

The fauna of the nature reserve is also unique. The majority of the animals are included in the Red book. The most well-known of them are yak, ounce, bustard, musk-deer and snow leopard.

In 1994 a Mongolian nature reserve also called "Uvs Nuur basin" was founded on the territory of Mongolia. It also has several territories. So, on the whole, Uvs Nuur basin is the one big international nature reserve situated on the territory of two countries.

The state nature biosphere reserve has its own flag, emblem and pennon.