Russia is the country that occupies the largest area among all states on the planet. The size of its territory is about 17.13 million kilometers. The length of the country from east to west is about 10, and from north to south - more than 4 thousand kilometers.
Climatic zones of Russia
The vast length of the country provides a variety of climatic zones and conditions on its territory.
The country's climate is diverse and heterogeneous.
It ranges from harsh arctic snowy wastelands in the north to hot, arid deserts in the south.
The territory of Russia is located in three main climatic zones:
- Arctic.
- Moderate.
- Subtropical.
Between the arctic and temperate zones, there is also a zone of the subarctic region. The main part of the territory of Russia is located in the temperate zone. Depending on the location on the continent, four subtypes are distinguished in the temperate climate zone: monsoonal, sharply continental, continental, and temperate continental. The climatic zonality of the country is determined in the direction from north to south.
ArcticRussian climate
The northern parts of the country are located in the Arctic climate region. The Arctic climatic zone of Russia contains three subzones.
The most severe is the Siberian region. The Atlantic and Pacific subzones have milder weather conditions.
The extreme northern border of Russia runs through the territory of the Arctic Ocean. The Siberian coast of the Arctic Ocean and its insular part belong to the Arctic climatic zone. With the exception of the islands of Vaigach, Novaya Zemlya, Kolguev and island formations in the southern part of the Barents Sea. The Arctic climate zone is located between 82 degrees north latitude from the north and 71 degrees north latitude from the south side.
Arctic deserts and tundra are located in this area. The climate of the Arctic deserts is quite severe. There is too little solar energy in this zone. The geographical position of the zone provides a low and short solstice above the horizon. The winter period is about ten months. Summer lasts approximately two weeks. In summer, the sun does not set below the horizon, but is not high above it.
Climatic conditions of the Arctic
Arctic climate is milder on islands and in the ocean. This is ensured by the heat transfer of water ocean masses. When water freezes, heat energy is released. The average temperature in winter on the coast and the island part is about 30 degrees below zero. On the continental territory, the average daily temperature is recorded inwithin minus 32-36 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in winter can reach around -60 degrees Celsius. Arctic winds tend to blow in this zone.
Arctic type of climate is characterized by cold and dry weather. Up to 300 millimeters of precipitation falls during the year. Air at low temperatures contains a small amount of water vapor. In the region of the northern island of Novaya Zemlya, in the Byrranga mountains and in the Chukotka highlands, the amount of precipitation increases to 500-600 millimeters. Precipitation falls in the form of snow and may remain unchanged for several years. If the summer is cold enough, the snow will not melt.
In the short summer period, the temperature of the coastal and island zones rises to 0-5 degrees Celsius. This is due to the fact that the melting of snow masses and ice lowers the ambient temperature.
Cold summers and harsh Arctic winters
On the continent and a little inland, the temperature during the summer period warms up to 10 degrees above zero. It is these harsh conditions that characterize the Arctic belt. The climate of this zone is characterized by short and cold summers. Solar radiation hits the surface at an acute angle. The Arctic climate is characterized by the presence of a polar night and a polar day. The polar night has a duration of 98 days at 75 degrees north latitude. And one hundred and twenty-seven days on the border of 80 degrees north latitude.
In the northwestern part of the Arctic climate zone, weather conditions are somewhat milder. This is due to the proximityAtlantic Ocean. Warmer waters and passing cyclones carry warm and humid air. The average daily January temperature in this region is 10-13 degrees higher than in the central part of the Arctic climatic zone.
The flora of the Arctic climate zone
The Arctic climate of Russia is quite severe. The formation and development of vegetation in such conditions is very difficult. The territory of the Arctic zone has focal vegetation, which covers less than half of the surface. The Arctic is devoid of trees and shrubs.
There are small patches of lichens, mosses and some types of algae on rocky ground. As well as representatives of herbaceous vegetation: sedges and cereals. In the climatic conditions of the Arctic zone of Russia, a number of flowering plants are found, among them such as the polar poppy, foxtail, arctic pike, buttercup, saxifrage and a number of others. These islands of flora look like oases among the endless ice and snow of the harsh Arctic.
Arctic ecosystem
Due to poor vegetation, the fauna of the Arctic zone of Russia is relatively poor.
Terrestrial fauna is sparse, limited to a small number of species: Arctic wolf, arctic fox, lemming and Novaya Zemlya deer. There are walruses and seals on the coast.
The main symbol of the Arctic lands are polar bears.
They are quite well adapted toArctic conditions.
The most numerous inhabitants of the northern region are birds. Among them are guillemots, puffins, pink gulls, snowy owls and a number of others. Seabirds nest on the rocky shores in the summer, forming "bird colonies". The largest and most diverse colony of seabirds in the Arctic zone nests on Rubini Rock. It is located in the ice-free Tikhaya Bay. The bird market in this bay has up to 19 thousand guillemots, guillemots, kittiwakes and some other marine life.
Despite the harsh climate of the Arctic zone, a number of representatives of the animal and plant world have found their home in the snowy and icy expanses of the Far North of Russia.
