Franz Josef Land facts for kids
Map of Franz Josef Land.
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Location of Franz Josef Land.
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Arctic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 80°34′N 54°47′E / 80.567°N 54.783°E |
| Archipelago | Franz Josef Land |
| Area | 16,134 km2 (6,229 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Franz Josef Land is a group of many islands, called an archipelago. It is located far north in the Arctic Ocean, above Novaya Zemlya. This land is part of Russia and is managed from a city called Arkhangelsk.
This archipelago has 191 islands in total. One special spot, Cape Fligely, is the northernmost point of all of Eurasia. Franz Josef Land is very close to the North Pole, only about 900 kilometers away! Only Greenland and Ellesmere Island in Canada are closer to the North Pole. To the south, about 370 kilometers of ocean separates these islands from Novaya Zemlya.
Most of Franz Josef Land, about 80% of its islands, is covered in ice all the time. The islands were formed by volcanoes a long, long time ago. In 2007, there were two places where people lived and worked: a weather station called Nagurskoye and an observatory.
Contents
Exploring Franz Josef Land
What is Franz Josef Land like?
Franz Josef Land is a very cold and icy place. Because it is so far north, it is covered in ice for most of the year. The islands are home to unique Arctic wildlife. Getting to these islands is very difficult. It is usually only possible for a few weeks during the summer. This is when the ice melts enough for ships to pass through.
How many islands are there?
The Franz Josef Land archipelago is made up of 191 different islands. These islands vary in size. Some are very small, while others are larger. Many of them are completely covered by glaciers.
Who lives on Franz Josef Land?
No people live permanently on Franz Josef Land. It is too harsh for regular settlements. However, scientists and military personnel sometimes stay there. They work at weather stations or research facilities. In 2007, for example, there were nine people living at two different stations. They were studying the weather and the Arctic environment.
Life in the Arctic
Weather and climate
The weather on Franz Josef Land is extremely cold. Temperatures are usually below freezing. Even in summer, it can be very chilly. The islands experience long, dark winters with almost no sunlight. Summers have continuous daylight, but the sun stays low in the sky. This harsh climate makes it a challenging place to live and work.
Animals of Franz Josef Land
Despite the cold, many amazing animals live in and around Franz Josef Land. You might see polar bears hunting for seals on the ice. Walruses often gather on the shores. Various types of seals, like ringed seals and bearded seals, also live here. Many seabirds, such as guillemots and kittiwakes, nest on the cliffs during the warmer months. The waters around the islands are also home to whales.
Images for kids
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Nagurskoye station, on Alexandraland
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Ernst Krenkel polar station, on Hayes Island
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Franz Josef Land, NASA satellite image, August 2011
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Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition
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The Nansen–Jackson meeting at Cape Flora, 17 June 1896
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The Stella Polare was trapped in ice.
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America anchored at Tepliz Bay
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Nagurskoye is Russia's northernmost military base
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Cape Brice, Ziegler Island, Franz Josef Land
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Bell Island
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Cape Tegetthoff on Hall Island
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Iceberg at Heiss Island in September 2007.
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Northbrook Island
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Walrus on Heiss Island
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Polar Geophysical Observatory on Heiss Island
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See also
In Spanish: Tierra de Francisco José para niños
