Scientific Study of Novaya Zemlya Archipelago at the end of the 19th – the beginning of the 20th century

Abstract

The history of scientific research of Novaya Zemlya archipelago at the end of the 19th – the beginning of the 20th century is analysed based on archival and published sources. The study of the history of scientific research on the vast northern territory is closely connected with the history of the role of national science in development of the Arctic territories of Russia. At the end of the 19th century geo-political situation encouraged the Government of Russia to colonize Novaya Zemlya actively. Large-scale scientific research was organized to study thoroughly its physical and geographic characteristics and to explore natural resources. In wide political and socio-economic context the period taken for the study is topical in terms of attaching this territory to Russia. Systematic studies of Novaya Zemlya started in the Soviet period when the young Government of the USSR started to regard the archipelago as an important military outpost of the country and one of the sources of natural productive forces of the country. The leading role of the Academy of Sciences and the All-Union Arctic Research Institute in the research of Novaya Zemlya is shown. Special attention is paid to the initiatives of the scientific society in the research of the archipelago.