Yakutia

Yakutia or the Republic of Sakha occupies most of the North-Eastern Siberia. Its huge territory (one-sixth the size of the whole Russia) is covered with plain tundra (in the North), mountain ranges 2000-3000 m high (in the East and South) and taiga (in the West). More than 40% of the territory lies beyond the Arctic Circle. The density of population is less then 1 person on 1 km².

The climate is sharply continental with a range in temperature of 100^oC between +40^oC in summer and -60^oC in winter. The Pole of Cold for the Northern Hemisphere with the recorded temperature -71.2^oC is situated in Yakutia. But even extremely high and low temperatures are quite tolerable because of dry and fresh air. The Polar Nights in winter begin on the territory which is above the Arctic Circle. Some nights are lit up by the Aurora Borealis, the natural phenomenon that can only be observed along the latitudes occupied by this territory. In summer time the Polar Days begin. A day can last up to 20 hours along the latitude of Yakutsk, while farther North, the Sun never drops below the horizon.

Yakutia is one of rare areas, where virgin nature with marvelous diversity of flora and fauna still remains. Yakutia is the land of countless rivers and lakes, hundreds of glaciers and ice crusts. The Lena River, noted for its scenic beauty, is the pride of Yakutia and one of the ten largest rivers in the world.

Yakutia is truly a treasury of natural resources. Diamond deposits in West Yakutia as well as gold deposits in the basins of Aldan, Indigirka and Yana, are all well known. The Republic has large reserves of tin, wolfram, mercury, complex and iron ores, bituminous and brown coals, natural gas and oil.

Highlights

• Bakaldyn Cultural-Ethnographic Complex, where you can familiarize with the culture, lifestyle and the history of one of the ancient Siberian native peoples - the Evenks. You will see traditional dwellings of the Evenks - from Stone Age till recent past, will be amazed by ancient epic stories and will take part in old ceremonies, national games and contests.
• Kolymsky Tract - the automobile road from Yakutsk to Magadan 1500 km long, breached through taiga mostly by GULAG prisoners in Stalinist Era.
• Lena Delta, occupied with the Ust’-Lensky State Reserve, is a special attraction for bird watchers. 89 species of birds have been counted here during the summer. 59 of those hatch in the delta. 20 of those species of birds are protected.
• Lenskie Stolby (the Lena Pillars) National Nature Park is a unique nature site, situated on the Lena River about 100 km to the South from Yakutsk. Lenskie Stolby is a masterpiece shaped by water, heat and cold from ancient rocks. The park is a habitat for many rare animals and plants. It is a place where the remains of mammoth, bison and other fossil animals are still found.
• Pole of Cold, where the lowest temperature for populated areas (-71.2^oC) was recorded.
• Mirny - the capital of diamond miners. A diamond pipe with a huge open-cast mine and a diamond processing enterprise are situated here.
• Yakutsk - the capital of Yakutia, where such tourist attractions as the Center of Diamonds and Precious Stones, the Geology Museum, the Institute of Permafrost, the Museum of Mammoth and several other museums are located.