The national park “Russian Arctic”, located on the northern parts of Novaya Zemlya and on the islands of Franz-Josef Land, will be receiving 14 cruise vessels this year, twice as many as in its opening season in 2011, the park’s web site reads.
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Last year more than 800 tourists visited these earlier closed islands. The tourist season starts in the end of June and lasts until the end of September. The peak period is expected in July, when 4-5 cruise vessels will be visiting the park at the same time.
The national park’s department for tourism is now preparing a travel guide to Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land in English.
“Russian Arctic” is located in the northern part of the archipelago Novaya Zemlya, and it also has the territory of the federal wildlife reserve Franz-Josef Land under its jurisdiction. The total area of the park is almost 15 thousand square kilometers.
The Archipelago of Franz-Josef Land is the closest one to the North Pole in the eastern hemisphere. The distance from the North Pole is 869 km. The archipelago consists of 191 islands, and 85% of their territory is permanently covered with ice.
The territory of the national park is interesting due to its flora and fauna. The cultural heritage of the park is also unique – here one will find sites and places related to the history of discoveries and explorations in the Russian part of the Arctic.
