Rakitnoye Chalk Quarry

District centre Rakitnoye is known for chalk deposits — writing chalk has been mined since the 19th century for construction, chalk sticks and agriculture. Quarry outcrops form white terraces visible from afar against the steppe. Chalk beds lie near the surface; sections show Upper Cretaceous layers with flint concretions typical of Belgorod chalk. For travellers this is an industrial-geology route: not a park but an active or abandoned mining zone. Filming and access may be restricted — do not enter without approval. Rakitnoye is a compact steppe town near the Ukrainian border; combine the quarry with a town walk and trip to Grayvoron (~35 km). Chalk crumbles and dusts — stay off unstable ledges and do not damage outcrops for samples. Rakitnoye chalk quarry is industrial, not a park — agree access on site. Do not drive under crumbling faces.