National Park "Russian Arctic" (Arkhangelsk region)

The Russian North is an area that is difficult to access and little known. However, it does not cease to attract its splendor. The reserved lands of Karelia, Obonezh, Vologda need protection and care. The National Park "Russian Arctic" is designed to preserve the natural and cultural richness of the exceptional part of the Russian North.

Possessions of the "Russian Arctic"

In order to realize Russia's potential in the Arctic, preserve the special nature of the North and conduct scientific research in 1999, the deputies of the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly decided to organize a national park "Russian Arctic". It was planned to unite natural complexes on the island of Victoria, in the Barents Sea, on Franz Josef Land and in the north of Novaya Zemlya. Ten years later, Vladimir Putin ordered the establishment of the Russian Arctic National Park. The territory of the park includes many protected islands, among which Fr. Gemskerk, about. Loshkina, about. Northern, Orange Islands. The total area of the Russian Arctic is about 1.5 million hectares: most of it is occupied by the water area (about 790,000 hectares).

The reserve "Franz Josef Land"

One of the most northern territories of the world is Franz Josef Land, the archipelago actually adjoins the "Russian Arctic". The reserve lands of the archipelago are considered since 1994, when the state nature reserve "Franz Josef Land" was created. The reserve, which is protected by the "Russian Arctic", is formed to preserve the pristine nature, solve environmental problems, and replicate resources. An important task is to protect the local fauna from human influence.

On the lands of the archipelago live polar bears, for which nature has created a favorable atmosphere for the establishment of offspring. Rookeries of walruses occupy significant areas of the reserve. On the islands of Appolonov and Stolichki you can see rare Atlantic walruses on the rookery. There are numerous bird markets here.

Unique microclimate

"Russian Arctic" (a national park in the Arkhangelsk region), has a unique microclimate. The location of the park is peculiar. It is washed by two Arctic seas: Barents and Kara. At the same time, the southwestern part of the Barents Sea is always ice-free, the Kara Sea, on the contrary, does not freeze only in the summer period near the mouths of rivers. This peculiarity of nature creates an exceptional microclimate in the park, in which a variety of fauna is observed, which is not found on any Arctic territory.

Fauna

"Russian Arctic" - a national park, permanent residents in which very little. There are only 11 species of animals, but they are all unique. Most of them are found in the Red Data Book of Russia: the Atlantic walrus and the new-earth deer, the bowhead whale and the polar bear, the narwhal and the minke whale Minke. The park plays an important role in the protection of the Kars-Barents polar bear population. In the tundra zones of the park there live arctic fox (on dry heights) and lemmings (near reservoirs).

"Russian Arctic" is an important habitat for the bowhead whale, its Spitsbergen population. In the early 20th century this rare mammal was on the verge of extinction. Now the population is increasing. In coastal waters there are such marine mammals as the sea hare, the harp seal, the ringed seal, the Atlantic walrus, the seal, the narwhal.

Ornithofauna

Ornithofauna of the park is the largest in the Russian North. Conditions on the territory are favorable for permanent habitation and seasonal nesting. There is enough food here, especially in the warmer period, there are many places for nesting, there are practically no predators. Terrestrial partridge and polar owl are terrestrial. On the rocky shores of the islands nest guillemots, polar cleaners, luriki, ordinary kittiwake, white seagull, burgomaster and other species of birds. With all the diversity of avifauna, representatives of different populations seldom settle together. Luriki inhabit coastal areas and do not leave them even at winter quarters. The guillemots, on the other hand, only nest on the shore, and spend the rest of the time in the sea, like seagulls and kittiwakes. The predators of the burgomaster and skuas settle near the large nesting of seabirds serving for them.

The National Park "Russian Arctic" (Arkhangelsk) is attractive for migratory birds. They arrive from the southern countries in the beginning of spring, during the mating season. All passerines, with the exception of puffins, are migratory. A horned lark, a Lapland plantain, a sauna heater, tap dancing nest in dry grass and under polar willows. The family of ducks is also represented in the "Russian Arctic", there are 12 of them. Together with other freshwater birds, they nest and feed on arctic lakes and streams. In September, the colonies added to the chicks migrate to warm places.

Cultural and historical heritage

The National Park "Russian Arctic" is a place with a special historical and cultural heritage. There are concentrated objects that are connected with the history of the discovery of the Arctic. It is known that in the 11th-12th centuries fishing was practiced on the territory of the park, walruses were hunted for their fangs, for arctic foxes because of their exceptional fur, for birds with rare feathers. The first European navigator to reach New Earth was the Englishman Hugh Willoughby. His ship in 1553 went to seek the northern passage from Europe to China. Having reached the south of Novaya Zemlya and making a stop at the mouth of the Varzina River, the whole crew died under mysterious circumstances, possibly from carbon monoxide. Famous Dutch explorer Willim Barents arrived at the end of the 16th century to Novaya Zemlya. He sailed near the northern shore of Novaya Zemlya, wintered on the island with the crew. On the way back, the seafarer fell ill with scurvy. The crew returned home with valuable scientific observations.

The first Russian navigator, who went to the New Earth, was Fyodor Rozmyslov. He spent about a year on the expedition, during which he made notes, described the territory and its features, conducted meteorological observations and geodetic work. His crew reached the mouth of Matochkin Shar and had to return to Arkhangelsk. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the Novaya Zemlya archipelago began to be visited more often, especially by Russian researchers. In 1909 Vladimir Rusanov, a Russian navigator, made the first reliable cartographic description of Novaya Zemlya. During the Soviet era, various studies were carried out on the territory of the present park.

Now ecotourism is developing here. Everyone can visit the national park "Russian Arctic". Photos and videos can be made from the sides of the cruisers following from Murmansk, and during numerous berths to the shores of the islands.