Yugra Peninsula

Yugra Peninsula – situated between the Barents and Kara seas, part of Nenets Autonomous District, Russia. The area is 18,000 km². Y.P.’s larger part is a plain covered with moss-lichen tundra. Pay-Khoy or Vaygach Ridge (Moreyiz Mountain, 467 m high) is situated in the central part. The Kara Depression is situated in the northeastern part. The climate is subarctic, its severity being enhanced by the frequent winds accompanied by blizzards in the winter. The average temperature in January is −20 °C. The summer is cool and rainy. The average air temperature in July is +7 to +8 °C. The rainfall is 300–400 mm. The permafrost is universal. Its shallow occurrence causes overwetting and swamping of Y.P. There are many small lakes. Bolshaya Olo (Velikaya) is the largest river. Y.P.’s resident wildlife includes lemmings, Arctic foxes, ptarmigan, and snowy owl. Wild reindeer, wolves, and ermines occur occasionally. There are many birds near the lakes in summer. A polar station has operated at...