Shushensky District is located in the south of Krasnoyarsk Krai, on the right bank of Yenisei River. The M54 highway runs along the territory of the region, linking Krasnoyarsk Krai, Khakassia and Tuva with the border with Mongolia. There is the functioning airport in Shushenskoye. The nearest railway stations are located in the cities of Minusinsk and Abakan (the distance is not more than 80 km.). The region has developed economic ties with other southern regions of Krai, such as Minusinsk, Karatuz, Ermakovskiy. On the territory of District there are 29 settlements, the total population is 35 thousand people.

Climate

The climatic conditions of the region are considered to be very soft for Siberia, with warm or even hot summer, and not very severe winter. This is due to the location of the region in the very center of the Asian continent, the great variety of relief forms, the distance from the seas and oceans, and the prevalence of southwestern winds during all seasons of the year. The formation of the climate was also influenced by construction of the Sayano–Shushenskaya Dam with the forming of reservoir. Due to this, non-freezing water increases air humidity and smooths the continental character of the climate. Almost 80% of the territory of Shushensky District is located in the mountainous region. Its geographic basis is the dividing Sayan Range and its Dzhebash-Borus branch.

Nature

In the mountains, there are natural zones of Sayan Mountains and steppes of the Minusinsk basin. The flora and fauna of Altai, Mongolia and Sayan are mixed here, that is why it is so diverse and unique in this area. In the mountainous terrain, Siberian pine prevails, and taiga passes into pine-deciduous forests closer to Yenisei River. Among the representatives of animal world there are rare species listed in the Red Data List. The most famous of them is the snow leopard or ounce. It is the symbol of Shushensky District and it is depicted on its coat of arms. On the territory of district, there are two specially protected natural areas: Sayano-Shushenski Nature Reserve and Shushensky Bor National Park, where work is under way to study and preserve natural resources.