Franz Josef Land

Franz Josef Land, an extremely remote and desolate archipelago situated deep within the Arctic Ocean, stands as the northernmost and coldest territory of Russia, its existence having been only rumored for centuries. The roughly 200 islands comprising the group are approximately 85 percent covered by a permanent, massive ice cap; in the few places where bare rock emerges during the fleeting Arctic summer, only sparse lichens and mosses manage to cling to life. Despite the incredibly hostile environmental conditions, which feature weeks-long polar nights and freezing blizzards, the surrounding waters absolutely teem with life. The rugged coastlines and shifting ice floes provide an essential habitat for massive herds of walruses, while polar bears roam and hunt undisturbed across the pack ice. Historically, the archipelago served as a critical, though highly treacherous, staging ground for numerous polar expeditions racing to the North Pole. Today, it forms a strictly protected component of the vast 'Russian Arctic' National Park.

Nearby cities

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and served as the capital of the Russian Empire for a long time.

Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg is located on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains and marks the geographical border between Europe and Asia.

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod is situated at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers.

Perm

Perm is located on the banks of the Kama River in the European part of Russia, near the Ural Mountains.

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Tyumen

Tyumen was the first Russian city in Siberia and today serves as a major hub for the country's oil and gas industry.

Izhevsk

Izhevsk is the capital of the Udmurt Republic and is known worldwide as the armory of Russia.

Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is part of Russia's Golden Ring and is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers.

Kirov

Kirov is located on the Vyatka River in the east of European Russia.

Cheboksary

Cheboksary is the capital of the Chuvash Republic and is located on the right bank of the Volga River.

Tver

Tver is located at the confluence of the Volga and Tvertsa rivers and was a powerful principality in the Middle Ages, rivaling Moscow.

Ivanovo

Ivanovo is known worldwide as the center of the Russian textile industry and is often referred to as the City of Brides.

Vladimir

Vladimir was the capital of Russia in the Middle Ages and is now part of the Golden Ring.

Arkhangelsk

Arkhangelsk is located in northern Russia at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River into the White Sea.

Cherepovets

Cherepovets is located in Vologda Oblast on the shores of the Rybinsk Reservoir.

Vologda

Vologda is a historic city in northern Russia, famous for its traditional lace-making and butter.

History & landmarks

Yelabuga

A historic town on the Kama River, the birthplace of painter Shishkin and the final home of poet Tsvetayeva.

Vyshny Volochyok

Known as the 'Venice of the North', this city is famous for its complex 18th-century canal system.

Torzhok

A historical town famous for its gold embroidery and classicist architecture.

Tutayev

A unique Volga town divided into two banks without a bridge, preserving two distinct historical atmospheres.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

A historic city on Lake Pleshcheyevo, the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky and the cradle of the Russian Navy.

Uglich

A picturesque town on the Volga River, known for the tragic history of Tsarevich Dmitry.

Veliky Ustyug

An ancient northern Russian town, known as the official home of Father Frost and for its delicate silver niello craftsmanship.