Russia is the country that occupies the largest area among all states on the planet. The size of its territory is about 17.13 million kilometers. The length of the country from east to west is about 10, and from north to south - more than 4 thousand kilometers.
Climatic zones of Russia
The huge length of the country provides a variety of climatic zones and conditions on its territory.
The climate of the country is diverse and heterogeneous.
It ranges from the harsh arctic snowy wastelands in the north to the hot, arid deserts in the south of the country.
The territory of Russia is located in three main climatic zones :
- Arctic.
- Moderate.
- Subtropical.
Between the Arctic and temperate zones, the zone of the subarctic region is also distinguished. The main part of the territory of Russia is in the temperate zone. Four subtypes are distinguished depending on their location on the continent in the temperate climatic zone: monsoon, sharply continental, continental, and moderately continental. The climatic zonality of the country is determined in the direction from north to south.
Arctic climate of Russia
The northern parts of the country are located in the Arctic climate region. The Arctic climatic zone of Russia contains three subzones.
The most severe is the Siberian region. The Atlantic and Pacific subzones have milder weather conditions.
The extreme northern border of Russia passes through the territory of the Arctic Ocean. The Siberian coast of the Arctic Ocean and its island part belong to the Arctic climatic zone. With the exception of the islands of Vaigach, Novaya Zemlya, Kolguyev and island formations in the southern part of the Barents Sea. The Arctic climate zone is located between 82 degrees north latitude from the north and 71 degrees north latitude from the south.
There are arctic deserts and tundra in this area. The climate of the Arctic deserts is quite severe. There is too little solar energy in this zone. The geographical position of the zone provides a low and short solstice above the horizon. The winter period is about ten months. Summer lasts about two weeks. In the summer, the sun does not set below the horizon, but is not high above it.
Climatic conditions of the Arctic
The Arctic climate is milder on islands and in the ocean. This is ensured by the heat transfer of the ocean masses. In the process of freezing water, thermal energy is released. The average temperature in winter on the coast and the island is about 30 degrees below zero. On the continental territory, the average daily temperature is recorded within minus 32-36 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in winter can reach about -60 degrees Celsius. In this zone, as a rule, arctic winds blow.
The arctic type of climate is characterized by cold and dry weather. Up to 300 millimeters of precipitation falls during the year. Air at low temperature contains a small amount of water vapor. In the area of the northern island of Novaya Zemlya, in the Byrranga mountains and on the Chukchi Highlands, the amount of precipitation increases to 500-600 millimeters. Precipitation falls in the form of snow and may remain unchanged for several years. If the summer is cold enough, snow does not melt.
In a short summer period, the temperature of the coastal and island zones rises to the level of 0-5 degrees Celsius. This is due to the fact that the melting of snow masses and ice lowers the ambient temperature.
Cold summers and harsh Arctic winters
On the continent and a little deeper, the temperature in the summer period warms up to 10 degrees above zero. It is these harsh conditions that characterize the Arctic belt. The climate of this zone is characterized by short and cold summers. Solar radiation hits the surface at an acute angle. The Arctic climate is characterized by the presence of a polar night and a polar day. Polar night has a duration of 98 days at 75 degrees north latitude. And one hundred twenty-seven days at the border of 80 degrees north latitude.
In the northwestern part of the Arctic climate zone, weather conditions are somewhat milder. This is due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. Warmer waters and passing cyclones carry warm and humid air. The average daily January temperature in this region is 10-13 degrees higher than in the central part of the Arctic climate zone.
Flora of the Arctic climate zone
The Arctic climate in Russia is quite severe. The formation and development of vegetation in such conditions is very difficult. The territory of the Arctic zone has focal vegetation, which covers less than half of the surface. The Arctic is devoid of trees and shrubs.
There are small areas with lichens, mosses and some species of algae on rocky soils. And also representatives of grassy vegetation: sedge and cereal crops. In the climatic conditions of the Arctic zone of Russia, a number of flowering plants are found, among them such as polar poppy, foxtail, Arctic pike, buttercup, saxifrage, and several others. These islands of the plant world look like oases among the vast ice and snow of the harsh Arctic.
Arctic ecosystem
Due to the poor vegetation, the fauna of the Arctic zone of Russia is relatively poor.
The terrestrial fauna is scarce, limited to a small number of species: the Arctic wolf, arctic fox, lemming, and Novaya Zemlya deer. There are walruses and seals on the coast.
The main symbol of the Arctic lands are polar bears.
They are quite well adapted to the conditions of the Arctic.
The most numerous inhabitants of the northern region are birds. Among them are guillemots, puffins, pink gulls, polar owls and a number of others. In summer, seabirds nest on rocky shores, forming “bird markets”. The most massive and diverse colony of seabirds in the Arctic zone nests on the Rubini rock. It is located in the ice-free Tikhaya Bay. The bird market in this bay totals up to 19 thousand guillemots, chistiks, warriors and some other marine inhabitants.
Despite the harsh climate conditions of the Arctic zone, a number of representatives of the animal and plant world found their home in the snowy and icy expanses of the Far North of Russia.