The geography of Russia is diverse. Permafrost reigns in the north of the Arctic Circle, in the south in the subtropics, even in winter, the temperature rarely drops below zero. Each region is unique and beautiful in its own way, in each you can find a lot of interesting and unknown, and people live everywhere.
Tazovsky District, Purovsky District (Yamal Peninsula) are habitable territories in which not only indigenous people live . Leading Russian companies are producing hydrocarbons in these parts, providing jobs for the local population, as well as attracting thousands of active people to the polar regions. Exploration is being carried out in the region, new deposits are being discovered and developed. The Taz Peninsula, which is located beyond the Arctic Circle, was no exception.
Yamal
The Yamal Peninsula is located in the Arctic zone in the northern part of the world's largest West Siberian Plain. Its area exceeds 769 thousand km sq. Most of it is above the Arctic Circle. Translated from the Nenets language, the name means "Land's End", which is consistent with the geographical location.
On its territory over 300 thousand lakes and 48 thousand rivers and streams. Part of the area is swampy, although thawing occurs only in the summer. The climate here is quite severe, sharply continental. In addition to arctic cold cyclones and air masses coming from the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic, the climate is affected by permafrost and the proximity of the icy Kara Sea, which cuts deep into the land. Winter in the territory of Yamal lasts at least eight months, the thermometer can drop to minus 59 degrees. The average annual temperature remains below zero.
But the summer here is short and rather cold, although on some days the temperature can rise to plus 30. Throughout the territory there are often strong fogs, especially in early autumn. Often there are magnetic storms, accompanied by northern lights. Polar days and nights are also a feature of these places.
Geographical Information
The Taz Peninsula is located at the northern tip of the West Siberian Plain. On the map it can be found between the Taz Bay and the Gulf of Ob. It is almost 200 kilometers long and has an average width of 100 kilometers. The flat surface dominates over the sea for 100 km. The vegetation on the peninsula is characteristic of the tundra. Mosses and lichens and shrubs predominate. The whole territory is literally cut by ravines, many of which are quite deep. There are also many lakes and swamps. The peninsula is located in the permafrost zone, where the earth freezes many meters in depth and thaws no more than half a meter even during the short cool summers. All these factors affect the flora and fauna.
Tazovsky Village
The geographical center of the Taz region is the village of the same name. It is located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. The center of the district, the city of Salekhard, is 986 km by water and 552 km by air. To Tyumen, the waterway stretches for 2755 km, and the air route is 1341 km. Korotchaevo railway station is located 230 km from the village. 7339 people live in Tazovsky.
In total, the district has 11 settlements and 5 administrative units. Air traffic has been established on the Taz Peninsula, there is a new highway. Established infrastructure. These innovations make it possible to supply the Taz Peninsula, the population and enterprises with everything necessary. In the area there is a museum, a music school and an art school for children, libraries and other cultural institutions. All this is done so that both local residents and oil workers who come to develop rich mineral resources can usefully spend leisure time, and their children receive a comprehensive education.
History reference
The first expeditions to the Taz Peninsula began to be equipped with the government of the Russian Empire in the 16th century. On the river, called the Nenets Tasu-Yam-yakh, a small trading town was founded, later called the Gold-boiling Mangazeya.
Pomors and Cossacks traveled to these places along the rivers for about a month, delivering provisions, fuel, and other vital goods. The ships returned were loaded with valuable fish and furs. Up to 80 thousand sable tails entered their royal lands into the royal treasury. But this did not last long, the locals did not seek cooperation, and the conditions of the campaigns were extremely harsh. And soon they forgot about Mangazey until the middle of the 18th century. In 1852, the first settlement of Halmer-Sede was registered, which means “Graves on the mountain”. The fact is that it was based on a hill where the old Nenets cemetery was located. And again caravans of fur and fish reached the central regions of the country.
Years of Soviet Power
When the Bolsheviks came to power, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug was founded, which included the Taz region. A fish factory was founded here, a river port and an airport, medical posts, schools and other facilities were opened. The main activity of the district was fishing and meat processing. This is the time when the Taz Peninsula (Russia) was developing rapidly.
In the 60s of the last century, hydrocarbon deposits were discovered in the bowels of the Yamal Peninsula. Active oil and gas production and geological exploration of the entire region began. This direction has become and still remains a priority. Now the country's largest oil companies are exploring and producing liquid gold in these parts, attracting thousands of working people to distant lands.
Flora and fauna
The climate of the Taz Peninsula is quite severe, so the flora and fauna are scarce most of the year. But with the advent of a short summer, flocks of migratory birds flock here, which breed offspring on this seemingly unsuitable land for life. Many birds, living and nesting here, are listed in the Red Book and are not found anywhere else.
The vegetation is dominated by mosses and lichens, moss, dwarf trees, and shrubs. The animal world is represented by fur-bearing animals, which are the subject of hunting of hunters and poachers. Despite the remoteness of the peninsula and the complexity of weather conditions, there are many who want to make money on furs or valuable fish.
Local population
The Taz Peninsula, whose population is represented by 36 different nationalities, is notable for its small number of residents. Most of them are Nenets native inhabitants, the rest are oilmen and geologists who came from different parts of the country.
The natives are pagans, worship the supreme deity Num and the lord of the underworld Nga. The traditions of ancestors are carefully passed on from generation to generation. The climate of the peninsula is ideal for reindeer husbandry, and most of the indigenous people are engaged in this type of activity. They, along with herds, roam the endless expanses of Yamal, living in the plague, making clothes from animal skins. And the Nenets are skilled hunters and fishermen.
Rare trees growing in the tundra are objects of worship, their branches are decorated with ribbons by those who came to pray and ask the spirit for blessings. Following such traditions does not mean at all that the population is in ignorance. Children study in boarding schools, and after graduation they choose their own path.
The Taz Peninsula, whose photo is striking in the beauty of the nature of the tundra, stretching for many kilometers, is quite well developed and populated. In residential areas, active housing construction and infrastructure development are underway.