Vaygach Island

Vaygach

Native name: Вайга́ч
Vaygach Island and Novaya Zemlya
Vaygach Vaygach Island, Nenets Autonomous Okrug (Russia)
Geography
Location	Arctic Sea
Coordinates	69°59′49″N 59°34′44″E / 69.99694°N 59.57889°E / 69.99694; 59.57889Coordinates: 69°59′49″N 59°34′44″E / 69.99694°N 59.57889°E / 69.99694; 59.57889
Area	3,383 km2 (1,306 sq mi)
Length	100 km (60 mi)
Width	45 km (28 mi)
Highest elevation	170 m (560 ft)
Highest point	Gora Bolvanskaya
Administration
Russia
Oblast	Arkhangelsk Oblast
Okrug	Nenets Autonomous Okrug

Vaygach Island (Russian: Вайга́ч, Vajgač) is an island in the Arctic Sea between the Pechora Sea and the Kara Sea.

Vaygach Island is separated from the Yugorsky Peninsula in the mainland by the Yugorsky Strait and from Novaya Zemlya by the Kara Strait. The island is a part of Nenets Autonomous Okrug of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia.

Vaygach Island is mainly formed of argillaceous slates, sandstone, and limestone. There are many rivers about 20–40 kilometres (12–25 mi) in length, swamps, and small lakes on the island. For the most part it consists of tundra. Slight rocky ridges run generally along its length, and the coast has low cliffs in places. The island consists mostly of limestone, and its elevation above the sea is geologically recent. Raised beaches are frequent. The rocks are heavily scored by ice, but this was probably marine ice, not that of glaciers. The settlements of Vaygach, Dolgaya Guba, and Varnek are located on the island.

Grasses, mosses and Arctic flowering plants are abundant, but there are no trees excepting occasional dwarf willows. Foxes and lemmings are spotted occasionally. While there are not many land animals on the island, birds are very numerous; a variety of ducks, waders etc. frequent the marshes and lakes. At least five polar bears are known to inhabit the island.