7 interesting and surprising facts about Russia’s Arctic region

Geographically, not all of Russia’s frozen territories are located in the north. However, due to landscape characteristics, many regions with extreme climates are also included in the Arctic region of the country.
1. The North Pole region accounts for 2/3 of the territory of Russia

Blue is the Arctic region of Russia, while blue is the area equivalent to the North Pole. Photo: Hellerick (CC BY-SA 3.0). The concept of the North Pole appeared in the Soviet Union in the 1930s to define remote areas with difficult living conditions. Most of these areas are located in permanently frozen areas. Here the land is not fertile and the winter is harsh, especially the difficult terrain, with no means of communication with other localities. These include Zapolyarie and the Far East. Administratively, however, the North Pole was added to more territories, not only distributed in the North of Russia. Specifically, this region includes part of the Ural and Southern Sibiri ranges, which are some areas of Tuva and Altai. In addition, there are similar regions to the North Pole (in blue on the map). Thus, the area of ​​the North Pole, including its equivalent, accounts for about 70% of the territory of Russia! 2. The North Pole is not inhabited by many people Remote village Tiksi in the Republic of Yakutia (Russian). Photo: Sergei Fomin / Global Look Press. Despite such a large area, but in the North Pole only less than 12 million Russians live, which is only 7% of the country’s population. Interestingly, in the North Pole, there are many ethnic minorities. They are the Pomor, Yakut, Tuva and many other peoples. They maintain a traditional way of life for hundreds of years. Cities in the Arctic are now becoming sparsely sparsely populated: In the Soviet era, people came here for money, because salaries for experts were 5-6 times higher than those in the central region of Russia. Many cities and villages were built next to mineral deposits that fell into decline after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. People are moving to warmer weather areas and selling their homes. Currently, in the city of Vorkuta, a 2-room apartment with repair costs about 200,000 rubles (nearly 2700 USD), equivalent to the price of a square meter of housing in the Moscow suburbs. In the villages on the outskirts of the city of Vorkuta, the cheapest price is from 30,000 rubles (400 USD). However, the population of Salekhard city in the Yamal region increases every year, as many locals do not want to leave. 3. The State guarantees the supply of essential goods Staff of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Conditions transport food to remote areas of the Yakutia Republic. Photo: Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations / Sputnik. Identification of the Arctic region is necessary to address the supply of essential goods issues. Every year before winter, Russian authorities organize the transport of goods to these areas such as fuel, medicine, food and other goods, usually by air or water. Of course, shops are still available in cities and rural areas in these areas, but private provision is very expensive. 4. Expensive cost of living in the North Pole Inside a store in the Republic of Yakutia. Photo: Barcroft Media / Getty Images. Farming in the Russian Arctic is very difficult due to the soil characteristics and infrequent weather conditions that allow the transportation of goods from other places. Only one thing here is the cheapest – an apartment. Here cheese costs 2 times more expensive than in central Russia, eggs 3 times more expensive, vegetables 4-5 times more. In fact, in the Arctic regions there are a few things that can be sold at relatively low prices are hunting animals and fish, which are quite rare in other parts of Russia. 5. Bright-colored housing to combat depression Graffiti in the city of Salekhard. Photo: Maria Plotnikova / Sputnik. In many cities in the North Pole, there is a tradition of brightly painted apartment buildings. Due to the lack of sunlight and trees, orange, yellow, and pink buildings add to the excitement. Vacation time longer, retire earlier Deer Farmers in Yamal. Photo: Maksim Blinov / Sputnik. In Soviet times, incentives for people to work in the North Pole were introduced in 1932 and revised several times. Today, people who work there get an additional 24 days off (by the standard 28 days a year), while working in the Arctic equivalent is an extra 16 days. If a person has worked in the Arctic for more than 15 years, then he or she is entitled to retire five years earlier than the average Russian (55 years old for women, 60 years old for men). In areas similar to the Arctic, it takes 20 years to retire. 7. The people of the North Pole adapt quickly to extreme conditions Photo: Ayar Varlamov / Sputnik. People who spend their whole life in the southern regions of Russia find it very difficult to get used to winter with cold winds and lack of sunlight. As for the people of the North Pole, such conditions will not cause them any special problems. A few years ago, scientists from the Republic of Yakutia explained that the body of people of northern Russian origin quickly adapted to extreme nights and extreme climates. QUOC KH Asian NH ( according to the RBTH . com )