Year: 2018, Number: 2, Pages: 66-84
Characteristics of Prielbrusye national Park are given in the article. The Park is located on the territory of Kabardino-Balkar Republic in the mountainous part (Northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, Central part). It was created to preserve the unique nature of high-altitude landscapes and the development of the small Balkar ethnos within the boundaries of the oldest international center of mountaineering and tourism "Prielbrusye". Recreational activities are a priority for the Park. At the same time, sports tourism is mainly developed. New types of tourism (agro-tourism, ethno-tourism, scientific-educational tourism) is also developing in recent time. Geoecological problems exist in the Park. The widespread development of dangerous natural processes in the Park leads to the fact that some areas can not be used for economic activities. Part of the territory needs to be protected from dangerous natural processes. A number of specific tasks of the Park are also associated with its location in the border zone. The presence of local indigenous populations also requires the solution of several problems. It is employment of local population by national crafts and increase of their ecological culture.