In the central part of the Eurasian continent, between the mouths of the Khatanga and Yenisei rivers, far into the ice of the harsh Arctic Ocean, the Taimyr Peninsula protrudes as an impressive land protrusion (the map shown in this article shows its location). Its continuation is the archipelago Severnaya Zemlya, chained in eternal ice, from the extreme point of which (Arctic Cape) to the pole, the distance is only 960 kilometers. The Taimyr Peninsula is washed by the Laptev and Kara Seas. Here is the northernmost tip of the mainland - Cape Chelyuskin.
Forgotten Land
Not every modern student knows where Taimyr is located, and this is no wonder, its location does not contribute to the influx of tourists here. This is a very harsh region, here even in summer the temperature does not rise above ten degrees Celsius. The peninsula is located within the national district of Taimyr, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. What alreadymentioned above, its extreme northern point is Cape Chelyuskin. The southern border is the northern ledge of the Central Siberian Plateau. The Taimyr Peninsula is more than a thousand kilometers long and five hundred kilometers wide. Its area is more than 400 thousand square kilometers. The entire territory of the peninsula is heavily indented by mountain ranges. Taimyr is located far beyond the Arctic Circle, on the icy edge of the Great Siberian River.
History of development
The history of the development of the Taimyr Peninsula is fascinating. Conquerors and discoverers of the North… How many legendary and sometimes tragic events are hidden behind these concise mean words! The first Russian explorers of Taimyr in the seventeenth century were daredevils who came here in search of furs - “soft junk”. So in 1667, a modest settlement called Dudinka appeared on the northern part of the Yenisei. Today it is the capital of the vast national district of Taimyr. In the eighteenth century, the Great Northern Expedition was organized to these parts. The names of many great people are associated with it - Fedor Minin, Semyon Chelyuskin, the Laptev brothers, Vasily Pronchishchev and many others. And a hundred years later, the great naturalist A. F. Middendorf walked along this land. Later, other equally famous Arctic explorers visited the coast of the peninsula: F. Nansen, E. Toll, A. Nordenskiöld.
Twentieth century
In the era of the Soviet state, the exploration of the Arctic began to gain new momentum. So, in 1918, the northernOn the coast of the peninsula, another polar explorer, the legendary R. Amundsen, wintered. In addition, the Russian explorer, who at one time was called the "man-legend" - N. Begichev, admires his exploits. Russia's northernmost peninsula owes a lot to this fearless man. Many significant events are associated with his name. For example, he discovered unknown islands in Khatanga Bay, which were named after him, took an active part in Arctic expeditions, more than once saved them from death. Selflessly searched for the tragically dead explorers of the Arctic. And he himself is buried on this earth. In the early thirties, polar explorers N. N. Urvantsev and G. A. Ushakov first set foot on the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago and made a detailed description of it.
Relief of the Taimyr Peninsula
The huge Byrranga mountain range stretches along the entire length of the peninsula. It is formed by a system of echelon-shaped or parallel chains, as well as wavy vast plateaus. The Byrranga Mountains stretch for 1,100 kilometers and are over 200 kilometers wide. The Taimyr and Pyasina rivers flowing here divide the mountain range into three parts with their valleys: the eastern one, with heights of 600-1146 meters; central, with heights - 400-600 meters; western - 250-320 meters. The ridge is composed of Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks, among which traps play an important role - these are igneous rocks that are folded in the form of steps.
Climatic features of the Taimyr Peninsula
The climate in the mountains of Taimyr is very cold,sharply continental. Thus, the average temperature in January is minus 30-33 degrees Celsius, and in July - plus 2-10. Spring begins in mid-June, and in August the average daily temperature drops below zero. Precipitation in Taimyr falls from 120 to 140 mm per year. The eastern part of the peninsula is completely covered with a glacier, the total area of which is 50 square kilometers. The mountains are mostly covered with vegetation that is characteristic of the stony arctic tundra - lichens and mosses predominate here.
Lake Taimyr
This body of water is connected to the Taimyr River. The lake divides it into two parts - the Lower (187 kilometers) and the Upper (567 kilometers). The location of this water body is very unique, because it is located far beyond the Arctic Circle. Lake Taimyr is the northernmost true large lake in the world. It is located at the foot of the Byrranga Mountains, its extreme point is located at 76 degrees north latitude. From the end of September until June, the lake is covered with ice. The water temperature in summer rises to plus eight degrees, and in winter - a little above zero.
Coast of the Peninsula
Looking at the Taimyr Peninsula on the map, you can see that there are many small islands near its shores. Some of them have low relief, and some, on the contrary, are high. The islands are round in shape, their coasts are rocky and steep, some have small glaciers. The Taimyr Peninsula also in some places has sheer shores falling into the sea washing them, and in some places -on the contrary, they are low-lying and sloping, although not far from them mountain ranges rise, consisting of horizontal layers of sedimentary rock. To the east of Cape Chelyuskin, a mountainous country adjoins the sea coast. Further on, the lowlands extend for a considerable distance, and then the mountainous country with gentle and low-lying shores returns again. The sea washing Taimyr is not deep, in some places quite extensive shallows lie here. From July to August, it is available for navigation, despite the fact that there are stamuks here - these are single ice blocks; large hummocks and small ice fields. In ancient times, the area of this peninsula was under water. This is evidenced by the sea shells found by Middendorf near the Lower Taimyr River. Currently, these mollusks live in the waters of the Arctic Ocean. The northernmost tip of the Taimyr Peninsula is covered with snow almost all year round. Summer here lasts less than six weeks, and snowstorms occur during this period.
Taimyr Reserve
The Taimyr Peninsula is a state nature reserve. It was created in 1979 by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, but due to organizational difficulties, it began its functioning only in 1985. The reserve has a cluster system and consists of several parts - the buffer zone of the Khatagan region, the main tundra area (Dikson and Khatagan regions), as well as the Arctic, Lukunsky and Ary-Mas sections. Its territory covers more than four degrees in latitude, it is represented by zonesforest tundra, mountain tundra, Byrranga mountain range, arctic, typical and southern lowland tundra subzones, as well as the marine area of the Laptev Sea Bay.
The main goal of organizing the Taimyr Reserve was to preserve and study natural mountain and lowland ecosystems and the northernmost forests on Earth in the Lukunsky and Ary-Mas areas. In addition, special attention is paid to the protection of the endemic of our country - the red-breasted goose - and the world's largest population of wild reindeer. Most recently, in 1995, thanks to the assistance of UNESCO MAB, the Taimyr Reserve was given the status of a biosphere reserve. The Museum of Nature and Ethnography works here. Anyone can get acquainted with the collection of household items and culture of the indigenous peoples of this territory, as well as with expositions dedicated to the nature of the peninsula, there is also a paleontological collection.
