Novaya Zemlya

The archipelago of Novaya Zemlya (Russian: ?????? ??????, "New Land"; formerly known as Nova Zembla) consists of two major islands in the Arctic Ocean in the north of Russia, separated by the narrow Matochkin Strait, and a number of smaller ones. The two main islands are Severny (northern) and Yuzhny (southern). Novaya Zemlya separates the Barents Sea from the Kara Sea. The total area is about 90,650 km².

Related Topics:
Russian - Arctic Ocean - Russia - Matochkin Strait - Severny - Yuzhny - Barents Sea - Kara Sea - Km²

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The area is very mountainous, as geologically Novaya Zemlya is the continuation of the Ural Mountains. It is separated from the mainland by the Kara Strait. The mountains reach a height of 1070 meters. The northern island contains many glaciers, while the southern one has a tundra climate. Natural resources include copper, lead and zinc. The indigenous population consists of about 100 Nenetses, who subsists mainly on fishing, trapping and seal hunting.

Related Topics:
Ural Mountains - Glacier - Tundra - Copper - Lead - Zinc - Nenetses - Fishing - Trapping - Seal

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The Russians knew of Novaya Zemlya from the 11th or 12th century, when traders from Novgorod visited the area. For western Europeans, the search for the Northeast passage in the 16th century led to its exploration. The first visit was by Hugh Willoughby in 1553. Willem Barents in 1596 rounded the north point of Novaya Zemlya, and wintered on the east coast near the northern tip. During this voyage the west coast was mapped.

Related Topics:
11th - 12th century - Novgorod - Northeast passage - 16th century - Hugh Willoughby - 1553 - Willem Barents - 1596 - Mapped

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