Russian North - the territory is difficult andlittle studied. However, it does not cease to attract its magnificence. The protected lands of Karelia, Obonezhya, Vologda need protection and care. The Russian Arctic National Park is designed to preserve the natural and cultural wealth of an exceptional part of the Russian North.
Ownership "Russian Arctic"
In order to realize the potential of Russia in the Arctic,preserving the special nature of the North and conducting scientific research in 1999, the deputies of the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly decided to organize the Russian Arctic National Park. It was planned to unite natural complexes on Victoria Island, in the Barents Sea, on Franz Josef Land and in the north of Novaya Zemlya. 10 years later, Vladimir Putin ordered the establishment of a national park "Russian Arctic". The territory of the park includes many reserve islands, among which Fr. Gemskerk, oh. Loshkina, oh. North, Oran Islands. The total area of the “Russian Arctic” is about 1.5 million hectares: the largest part is occupied by the water area (about 790 thousand hectares).
Reserve "Franz Josef Land"
One of the most northern areas of the world isFranz Josef Land, the archipelago actually adjoins the "Russian Arctic". The archipelago’s lands have been considered to be reserved since 1994, when the state nature reserve Franz Josef Land was created. The reserve, the protection of which is carried out by the Russian Arctic, was established to preserve the pristine nature, solve environmental problems, reproduce 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 here creates a favorable atmosphere for the establishment of offspring.
Unique microclimate
"Russian Arctic" (a national park inArkhangelsk region), has a unique microclimate. The location of the park is original. It is washed by two Arctic seas: the Barents and Kara. At the same time, the southwestern part of the Barents Sea is always free from ice, the Kara Sea, on the contrary, does not freeze only in summer near the mouths of the rivers. This feature of nature creates in the park an exceptional microclimate, under which there is such a diversity of fauna, which is not found in any Arctic territory.
Fauna
"Russian Arctic" - a national park, permanentinhabitants in which very little. There are only 11 species of animals, but they are all unique. Most of them are found in the Red Book of Russia: the Atlantic walrus and the new ground deer, the bowhead whale and polar bear, the narwhal and minke whale Minka. The park plays an important role in the protection of the Karsk-Barents polar bear. Arctic foxes (on dry elevations) and lemmings (near reservoirs) inhabit the tundra zones of the park.
"Russian Arctic" - an important habitat of the bowhead whale, its Spitzbergen population.
Avifauna
The avifauna of the park is the largest in RussianNorth. Conditions on the territory are favorable for permanent habitat and seasonal nesting. There is enough food, especially in the warm period, many places for nest arrangement, practically no predators. Terrestrial are partridge and polar owl. On the rocky shores of the islands, the Murre, the polar Chistik, the Lurik, the common moevka, the white gull, the burgomaster and other species of birds nest.
National Park "Russian Arctic" (Arkhangelsk)attractive for migratory birds. They arrive from the southern countries in early spring, during the mating season. All passerines, except for the purochka, are migratory. Horned Lark, Lapland plantain, Kamenka, tap-dance nest in dry grass and under polar willows. The family of ducks is also represented in the "Russian Arctic", here there are 12 species. Together with other freshwater birds, they nest and feed on arctic lakes and streams. In September, the colonies replenished with chicks migrate to warm places.
Cultural and historical heritage
National Park "Russian Arctic" - a place withspecial historical and cultural heritage. Objects that have a connection with the history of the discovery of the Arctic are concentrated here. It is known that in the 11-12 centuries in the park there was fishing, walrus was hunted because of their tusks, foxes because of their exceptional fur, and birds with rare feathers. The first European navigator who reached Novaya Zemlya was the Englishman Hugh Willoughby. His ship in 1553 went to look for the northern passage from Europe to China. Reaching the south of Novaya Zemlya and stopping at the mouth of the Varzina River, the entire crew died under mysterious circumstances, possibly from carbon monoxide. The famous Dutch navigator, Willim Barents, reached Novaya Zemlya at the end of the 16th century. He sailed near the northern coast of Novaya Zemlya, spent the winter on the island with the crew. On the way back, the navigator became deadly sick with scurvy. The crew returned home with valuable scientific observations.
The first Russian navigator to go toNew Earth, was Fedor Rozmyslov. He spent about a year on the expedition, during which he took notes, described the territory and its features, conducted meteorological observations and geodetic work. His crew reached the mouth of Matochkin Shara and was forced 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. In Soviet times, various studies were conducted in the current park.
Currently, ecotourism is developing here.
