Береговая линия Кольского полуострова была mastered by Finno-Ugric tribes in the Stone Age. Even after the baptism of Rus on these lands came the Novgorod colonialists, who were engaged in the fishing of sea animals and fishing. On the shore there were Russian villages. In the 17-19th centuries, the population of the peninsula lived mainly by reindeer herding and fish production (on an industrial scale). And only at the beginning of the 20th century Kola Bay was recognized as strategically (and not only economically!) Important. Here was founded the seaport - now the largest in the Arctic Circle.
Geographical position
There is a bay on the Murmansk coast of the Kolathe peninsula. His name is due to the cola settlement, which arose on the river of the same name, supposedly in the 11th century. A detailed description of the bay was made by Mikhail Franzevich Reineke, the head of the hydrographic expedition, which explored the northern maritime boundaries of the Russian Empire in 1826.
Kola Bay - this is a classic fjord, narrow (from 200 m to 7 km)and a long one (about 57 km). It is divided into three tribes, each of which has different depths. The two main rivers flowing into the bay are called Tuloma and Kola. The banks are cut by numerous bays (Ekaterininskaya harbor, Tuva, Saida). The water area abounds in small islands. The port of Murmansk and the closed city of Severomorsk are located on the eastern shore of the bay, steep and rocky. On the more flat, western, is the port of Polar. The shores are connected by an automobile bridge.
Natural anomalies
Kola Bay has one important feature: in winter, the water in it does not freeze, even if the air temperature is below -20 aboutС.The Gulf is always warmer than on the continent, and the difference can be very significant. This phenomenon is due to a warm current, but not the Gulf Stream, as is commonly thought, and its continuation is the North Atlantic (Nordkapp). Of course, the water freezes on the coast, but the channel is always free of ice. That is why the bay has such an important strategic importance. The northern sea route was very necessary for Russia during the First World War: it provided communication with the allies.
The bay was completely frozen no more than five times inthe whole history of observations. The last time it happened very recently - in January 2015. The increase in the area and thickness of ice (up to 10-15 cm in the lips and small bays) was caused by a prolonged anticyclone. In the southern part of the bay, drift ice was observed up to 5 cm thick.
The bridge over the Kola Bay
Ten years ago was solemnly openedan automobile bridge across the bay with a length of 2.5 km (of which 1.6 km pass over the water). It is considered one of the longest in Russia and in the Arctic in general. The structure has not only economic but also social significance. The bridge connects the western regions of Murmansk with the central ones, simplifies the movement within the region and facilitates active interaction with the Nordic neighbors. It has four lanes and is intended for pedestrians as well. In the autumn of 2014 the building was repaired.
Kola Bay, Murmansk: the territory of sports
For several years of the existence of the bridge arosesome interesting traditions associated with it. In addition, it has become a venue for various sports and entertainment events. Paintball and cycling competitions are regularly organized here, and in summer, in June, an extreme swim starts along the bridge from the left bank of the gulf, in which swimmers and marathon runners from all over the country and from neighboring countries come to participate.
It should be noted that even in summer Kola Bay is not too hospitable: the water temperature in it does not exceed +8 aboutWith, and warming swimming suits on itthe event is prohibited. Extreme adds a strong lateral flow. So the "Murmansk Mile" is a serious test for aquasers (sportsmen specializing in swimming in cold water). It requires excellent health, endurance and long-term special training.
Fishing
In 1803 on the Murmansk coast wasThe so-called White Sea Fish Production Company is organized. The bay has long been famous for its abundance. The sea animal was also here. Currently, the resources of the Gulf have been significantly depleted due to environmental problems and mass fishing. Nevertheless, there are still good opportunities for river and sea fishing here. The object of fishing in the bay are such species as haddock, cod, flounder, pollock and herring. There is also a crab. In the estuaries of rivers, trout, char, whitefish, grayling, perch and pike can be caught.
However, for river fishing (as well as for productioncrab) you need a license. In addition, it is important to remember that the success of fishing is influenced by the semidiurnal tides of the Kola Bay. According to Reineke, they are very tangible and reach four meters. Many fishermen prefer to trade in the mouths of rivers also because they are less polluted than the bay itself.
Ecological problems
The work of mining and processingenterprises and the oil industry continue to have a detrimental effect on the Kola Bay. Photos of its banks often produce a depressing impression: rusty structures and ruins of factories that have long ceased to work are piling up everywhere. The Murmansk port remains one of the most polluted parts of the shelf.
In other parts of the bay, the situation is slightly better, butthe concentration of hydrocarbons, iron and copper exceeds the allowable and is the cause of diseases of the local population. Currently, environmentalists are calling on the management of enterprises to provide environmental protection measures and modernize equipment.
