Franz Josef Land, whose islands (192 in total) have a total area of 16,134 sq. km, located in the Arctic Ocean. The main part of the Arctic territory is part of the Primorsky district of the Arkhangelsk region. Geographically, it is divided into 3 large parts: eastern, central and western. The first includes the islands of Wilczek Land (2 thousand sq. km) and Graham Bell (1.7 thousand sq. km). They are separated from the rest by the Strait of Austria. The largest group of islands is located in the central part. It is washed by the British Channel and the Austrian Strait. The western region includes the largest island of the entire alliance - George Land with an area of 2.9 thousand square meters. km. Franz Josef Land for the most part has a flat, plateau-like surface. Its average height reaches 400-490 m, and the highest point is 620 m.
Detection
The existence of a group of islands to the east of Svalbard was predicted by more than one great Russian scientist: first Lomonosov, followed by Schilling and Kropotkin. Moreover, the latter in 1871 presented to the Russian GeographicalThe society had its plan for an expedition to explore them, but the government refused to allocate funds. The archipelago of Franz Josef Land was discovered only by chance. This happened when the Austro-Hungarian expedition under the leadership of J. Payer and K. Weyprecht set off in 1872 to develop the Northeast Passage. However, their ship was caught in ice, and gradually it drifted westward from Novaya Zemlya. In 1873, on August 30, the schooner "Admiral Tegetthoff" moored to the shores of unknown land. At the same time, Payer and Weyprecht explored its northern and southern margins. Before that, where Franz Josef Land is located, no one knew. In April 1874, Payer managed to reach a point with a coordinate of 82 ° 5' north latitude. He also made a preliminary scheme of the found archipelago. At that time, it seemed to the researchers that it consisted of a number of large sections. The open land was named after the famous Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Development
In 1873, Payer and Weyprecht explored the southern part of the territory, and in the spring of 1874 they crossed it across from south to north on sleds. At the same time, Franz Josef Land was schematically depicted for the first time. The map, as it turned out later, had many errors. In 1881-1882. the open area on the yacht "Eira" was visited by the Scot B. L. Smith. And in 1895-1897. English geographer Frederick Jackson conducted many important surveys of the southwestern, middle and southern parts of the alliance. Subsequently, it turned out that the groupconsists of a much larger number of islands than expected. However, they were smaller in size compared to the symbols on the Payer map.
About the same period of time Nansen and Johansen visited the northeastern and middle parts of the archipelago. In June 1896, the Norwegian Nansen accidentally discovered on about. Northbrook winter quarters for Frederick Jackson. In the summer of 1901, Vice-Admiral S. O. Makarov visited and surveyed the southwestern and southern shores of the islands. In the course of the work, the approximate size of the entire territory was established. Then in 1901-1902. research work continued to be conducted by American scientists Baldwin and Ziegler. Following them from 1903 to 1905. in order to get to the Pole on the ice, a new expedition was organized. It was led by Ziegler and Fial. In the period from 1913 to 1914, a group of geographers G. Ya. Sedov worked in Tikhaya Bay near Hooker Island. In the summer of 1914, the last surviving members of Brusilov's expedition, Albanov and Konrad, managed to reach the old Jackson-Harmsworth base. It was located on Cape Flora about. Northbrook. There, the geographers were rescued by the schooner "Saint Foka".
Accession to Russia and further development
In 1914, in search of a group of G. Ya. Sedov, an expedition led by Islyamov visited the islands. He also declared the area part of the territory of Russia and raised the flag. In 1929, in the bay of Quiet Island. Hooker, Soviet scientists opened the first research station. Thanks to her, Franz Josef Land has since begun to receive Soviet polarexpeditions. In the 50s. In the 20th century, the units of the radio-technical air defense troops were reorganized. One of them was accepted by Franz Josef Land. The military base was located on about. Graham Bell. The 30th separate radar company and a separate aviation commandant's office are located here. The latter served the ice airfield. But these are not all the strategic facilities that Franz Josef Land had. Alexandra Island received the 31st separate radar company "Nugarskaya". These units belonged to the northernmost military units of the Soviet Union. In the early 90s. they were eliminated. In 2008, in the course of research on a nuclear-powered icebreaker called "Yamal", it was discovered that separated from about. Northbrook part of the land. In honor of the Arctic captain, she was named after Yuri Kuchiev. On September 10, 2012, the AARI expedition on the nuclear icebreaker "Rossiya" discovered another detached part from about. Northbrook.
Population
There are no municipalities and permanent residents in Franz Josef Land. The temporary composition of the population includes border guards of the FSB, employees of research stations. From time to time, military personnel of the air defense unit also live here. They carry out missile defense of the northern direction of Russia. According to press reports, in 2005 the outermost post office "Arkhangelsk 163100" was opened on the territory of Heiss Island. Its working time was to be only 1 hour, from 10 am to 11 am from Tuesday to Friday. According toSeptember 2013, under the index 163100, the post office "Arkhangelsk" (Heis Island, Franz Josef Land) is listed. His work schedule is from 10 am to 11 am every Wednesday.
Glaciers
They cover most of the surface of the archipelago (87%). The thickness varies from 100 to 500 m. Icebergs subsequently form from the glaciers descending into the sea. To a greater extent, the eastern and southeastern parts of the entire territory are subject to icing. New formations appear only at the very tops of ice sheets. At the same time, according to the results of ongoing research, the cover of Franz Josef Land is shrinking very quickly. If the observed rate of its destruction remains the same, the glaciation of the territory after 300 years may disappear forever.
Franz Josef Land. Hot, cold?
The group of islands has a typical arctic climate. The average annual temperature on about. Rudolf reaches -12°C. In July, in the Tikhaya Bay of Hooker Island, the air warms up to -1, 2°C, and on Hayes Island, where the Observatory is located. Krenkel (the northernmost meteorological station in the world), - up to +1, 6°C. The average temperature in January is about -24°C, and the lowest temperature reaches -52°C. Maximum gusts of wind - 40 m/sec. The ice sheet accumulation zone receives an average of 250 to 550 mm of precipitation annually.
Flora and fauna of the Arctic
Mosses and lichens predominate in the vegetation cover of the archipelago. There are also grains, polar willow, saxifrage and polar poppy. Among the mammals you can seewhite bear. Less common is the white fox. Walrus, harp seal, white whale, narwhal, sea hare and ringed seal live in coastal waters. Birds are richer represented in the fauna of the archipelago - there are only 26 species of winged ones. Among them are guillemots, kittiwakes, guillemots, ivory gulls, little auks, burgomaster, etc. In summer they form bird rookeries.
Tourist trips to the North Pole
How much does a cruise to Franz Josef Land cost? Tours to the Arctic can be purchased at a cost of 875,076 rubles. ($24,995). Yes, very expensive pleasure! The voucher may include a trip with an expedition team to the Franz Josef Land nature reserve. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most unusual and luxurious holiday options. The excursion program invites its guests to reach the "Top of the World" - 90 degrees N. sh. aboard the world's most powerful nuclear-powered icebreaker "50 Years of Victory". The conquest of the ice expanses ends with a polar barbeque on the ice cover, a cheerful round-the-world round dance and swimming in the Arctic Ocean. On the way back, travelers will be offered helicopter tours to the islands of the archipelago, the incredible panorama of which will surely captivate with its beauty. 540 miles from the North Pole is home to a huge number of seals, arctic birds, walruses and polar bears. In the case of planning such a tourist trip, one should take into account the fact that the trip takes place in a hard-to-reach, little-studied and remote part of the globe. As a consequence, the program route can only be considered asa general, familiarization plan of the expedition, since under the influence of such external factors as ice conditions, weather, etc., it may change. As ten-year practice shows, not a single expedition tour to the Arctic repeats exactly the previous one. The nature of the North Pole makes its own adjustments. This is the peculiarity and specificity of expedition cruises.
Overall travel plan
Day 1
Arrival in Murmansk, boarding the icebreaker. At the pier, waiting for a group of travelers to board, stands the world's most powerful nuclear-powered icebreaker with the lyrical name "50 Years of Victory". After some time, the ship will leave the mainland and set off towards new experiences, passing by the Kola Bay.
Day 2
In the Barents Sea. An integral part of each expedition is the preparation of passengers for the peculiarities of an unusual journey. Members of the organizing team will acquaint vacationers with the safety rules on board the vessel and helicopter, as well as tell about all the nuances associated with the implementation of landings in the Arctic.
Day 3-5
Direct course to the Arctic. The next three busy days spent on the ship will introduce passengers to interesting historical facts and the amazing nature of this region.
Day 6
Arrival at the North Pole. On approaching the destination, the captain will bring the icebreaker to the coveted coordinate - 90 ° north latitude with slow, clear maneuvers. After the ship stopped, vacationersthey will descend onto a suitable ice floe and will conduct the ritual of the "round the world procession" that has already become traditional. This is followed by another interesting ritual - travelers will be asked to write notes, which are subsequently placed in metal capsules and immersed in the abyss of the Arctic Ocean.
Day 7-9
Destination - Franz Josef Land. Despite the fact that the main task of the expedition has already been completed, travelers will still expect many interesting and impressive events. Well-preserved buildings make it possible to trace the most important historical events that took place on the archipelago many years ago. Among them, it is worth noting a house on about. Bell, built in 1881 by members of the expedition of Lee Smith, and the ruins of the old camp on about. Northbrook. It was there in 1896 that a significant meeting between Nansen and Jackson took place. It is also worth visiting Cape Norway, where for a long 7 months Nansen F. and Johansen conducted joint research; to honor the memory of the scientist G. Ya. Sedov, whose image became the prototype of the protagonist in the creation of the novel "Two Captains" by Kaverin. The pristine expanses of the Arctic and the originality of landscapes are presented by Franz Josef Land to its guests. Photos taken in this area invariably amaze with their uniqueness and beauty. Glaciers, reminiscent of lunar craters, combined with multi-colored carpets of mosses and bright poppy flowers, create an amazing, indescribable atmosphere of harmony. An obligatory component of the Arctic landscape are also thousands of bird rookeries and walrus rookeries that fillcoastal horizon of the Franz Josef Land archipelago. A photo in the bosom of the polar nature will allow you to capture a unique moment in life and keep it in your memory for many years.
Day 10-11
In the Barents Sea. It's time to return to Murmansk. On the way back, the captain will invite travelers to dinner in his apartment. There, passengers will be able to relax in an interesting company and listen to entertaining real stories about the service on the icebreaker from the original source.
What is included in the total cost of the tour
- Journey aboard the icebreaker "50 Years of Victory".
- Planned group tours. Includes all shore trips, visits to historic sites and other helicopter activities.
- Zodiac tours (may be canceled due to weather conditions at the discretion of the expedition leader).
- A program of lectures prepared by renowned naturalists and experts in the region.
- Four meals a day (including fresh pastries for afternoon tea); coffee and light snacks throughout the day; drinking water.
- Rubber boots for rent during the cruise.
- Informational materials for acquaintance and expedition diary with photos on DVD.
- Postal and technical charges.
- Special expedition jacket.
- Medical accident insurance on board ship.
