Wildlife Sanctuary Franz Joseph Land, Protected wildlife area in Russian Arctic archipelago, Russia.
Wildlife Sanctuary Franz Joseph Land is a protected area covering 180 islands in the Russian Arctic archipelago. The landscape consists of ice, rock, and coastlines where polar bears, walruses, seals, and countless seabirds make their homes.
The archipelago was discovered in 1873 by an Austro-Hungarian expedition and named after Emperor Franz Joseph I. The islands subsequently became a focus for Arctic scientific research with multiple stations established over time.
Soviet research stations remain scattered across the islands, their structures and equipment telling the story of Arctic scientific work from decades past. Visitors walking through these abandoned facilities encounter remnants of Cold War-era exploration efforts.
Visiting this area requires special permits and is limited to summer months when specialized expedition vessels can navigate Arctic waters. Planning ahead for such a journey is essential due to the remote location and harsh climate conditions.
The islands host one of the Arctic's largest concentrations of seabird nesting colonies with millions of breeding sites. These massive breeding grounds form the foundation of one of the region's richest ecosystems and are visible from approaching waters.
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