Nenets Autonomous Region is located in the north of Russia between the Kanin and the Yamal Peninsulas,
by the Arctic Ocean. Most of the territory of the Region including the Islands of Kolguev and Vaygach
lies above the Polar Circle. Administratively Nenets Autonomous Region is a part of Arkhangelsk Region.
Most of the territory is covered with arctic tundra, with many marshes, small lakes and rivers.
The main river is Pechora. The significant part of the area is occupied by permafrost.
The wildlife of the Region is represented by 31 species of mammals including arctic hare, polar fox,
wolf, wolverine, marten, otter, common weasel, wild reindeer, elk etc. Bird list has 160 species
including different kinds of geese and ducks migrating in hundreds of thousands in May and September.
The sea is inhabited with sea mammals such as beluga white whale, walrus, gray seal, bearded seal, narwhal.
The Region is very rich in mineral resources such as oil, natural gas and gold.
The name of the region is originated with the local population - Nenets people.
Nenets are nomad people travelling with their reindeer herds in search for the better
pastures in tundra. Nomadic way of life causes the lifestyle of Nentsy. They do not build
regular houses but live in Chums - tents made of reindeer skin or thick fabric.
When the supply of grass, reindeer moss and lichens around the camp runs low Nenets
people assemble chums, put all their belongings on reindeer sledges and travel
to another place. In the winter time they change the location once in about 7 days.
Though there is much more food in summer they change location even more often to find a place with fewer mosquitoes.
Nenets live in clans which unite several families. Men who are the heads of the
families are usually relatives while their wives are from other clans.
Families usually have 3-5 children. Until 1920 the Nenets society had elements of
polygamy when rich men with many reindeers had 2-3 wives.
In spite of some civilization achievements such as snowmobiles,
satellite TV's and electric generators nowadays the lifestyle of
Nenets people is in many ways the same as it was centuries ago.
They still travel with their reindeers, live in chums, wear a
lot of fur clothes and eat traditional food including raw reindeer
meat and blood.
Although they were baptized by the Russians in the 18-19th
Centuries traditional beliefs as animalism and shamanism are still widely spread.
While travelling in the area one can meet a real shaman and observe shamanistic rituals.
The number of Nenets people in the Region is about 6400 people while the total
population is about 42700 people (Census 2010). About 21000 inhabitants live in the capital of region town of Naryan-Mar.
The town of Naryan-Mar was established in 1935 by the shore of the Pechora River
in 110 km from the Barents Sea and 660 km from Arkhangelsk. The airport of Naryan-Mar (NNM)
is an important gate to the Region as it has no regular road connection with the other areas
of Russia. In the summer time the port of Naryan-Mar serve boats arriving via the Northern Sea Route.
Naryan-Mar is a relatively modern and rich city as it hosts offices of several oil and
geological companies which have big business in the Region.
The town has several hotels
with the average price of about
RUB 6000
for a double room. Prices at restaurants are
relatively high and one can easily spend
RUB 1500
for a dinner.
Several interesting holidays and events take place in Naryan-Mar and the Region, such as
"Syamanhat Mereta" reindeer race and Nenets sport competitions at the end of March or early April,
"Buran Day" snowmobile race in mid March, "Reindeer Day" Nenets holiday in August.
Transport:
By air:
Daily flights Arkhangelsk - Naryan-Mar - Arkhangelsk. Flight time: ~1h.
Daily flights Moscow - Naryan-Mar - Moscow. Flight time: ~2h20min.
We are offering one trip to Nenets Region:
- Discover Nenets Culture
