Yamal Peninsula, Arctic peninsula in Yamalsky District, Russia
Yamal is a peninsula in northwestern Siberia that stretches between the Kara Sea and the Gulf of Ob, covered by flat tundra. The surface consists mainly of permafrost with countless lakes and marshes scattered across the land during the short summer.
Russian explorers reached the peninsula in the 16th century during the expansion into Siberia. Geological surveys in the 1960s led to the discovery of major natural gas deposits, which later prompted industrial development of the region.
The name of this territory means "end of the world" in the Nenets language, spoken by herders who have crossed the tundra for centuries. These communities live in conical tents made of reindeer hide and follow seasonal migration routes between summer and winter grazing grounds.
Travel to this area requires special permits and depends on extreme weather conditions, as winters here are very long. A railway line connects industrial sites, but access for visitors remains limited and requires careful planning.
In recent years, several deep craters have formed here through methane explosions beneath the ground, drawing researchers from around the world. These formations occur when rising gas breaks through the frozen soil and suddenly reaches the surface.
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