Victoria Island

Victoria Island

Victoria Island is situated midway between the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago and the Russian Franz Josef Land archipelago. This most western of all Russian Arctic islands is administered as a part of Franz-Josef-Land and belongs to the administrative division of the Arkhangelsk Oblast of the Russian Federation. The maximum altitude of Victoria Island is 105 meters. The cape in the northwest is known as the Knipovich Cape. Geographically, Victoria Island is characterized by its rugged terrain, with numerous glaciers, ice caps, and rocky outcrops. The island's landscape has been shaped by millions of years of glacial erosion, resulting in a unique and breathtakingly beautiful topography. The island's extreme northern latitude means that it experiences almost 24 hours of daylight during the summer solstice, and conversely, almost complete darkness during the winter solstice. The island's harsh Arctic climate is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is around -20°C, while the average temperature in July, the warmest month, is around 4°C. Despite its remote location, Victoria Island has played an important role in the exploration and development of the Arctic region It was discovered on July 20, 1898 by the Norwegian sealing captains Johannes Nilsen and Ludvig Bernard Sebulonsen. Since then, the island has been the subject of numerous scientific expeditions, which have contributed significantly to our understanding of the Arctic environment and its ecosystems. Today, Victoria Island is a popular destination for adventure tourists and scientists alike.