Nova Zembla

Nova Zembla (Russ. Novaja Zemlja, 'New Land'), an Arctic island lying between the Kara Sea and Barents Sea, and separated at its southern extremity from the island of Vaigatch by Kara Strait, 30 miles wide. Long and narrow, it measures 600 miles from north to south and 60 in average width, and is cut in two nearly midway up by a narrow winding sea-passage, the Matochkin Shar. The western side is broken by several bays, often studded with islands. The southern portion is apparently—little authentic is known about the interior—a plateau of moderate height; the centre and north are mountainous, rising to 4000 feet and perhaps higher, and are covered with snow and ice. The continuation of the Gulf Stream reaches the western shores and prevents them from being always icebound. Although not permanently inhabited, it is visited by Russian and Norwegian seamen and hunters for the capture of the numerous sea-fowl, whales, walrus, seals, and dolphins which frequent its coasts. It was known to the hunters of Novgorod in the 11th century, but was rediscovered by Sir Hugh Willoughby in 1553, and has been frequently visited since then, much scientific information about its animal and plant life having been collected since 1868. See Markham, Polar Reconnaissance (1881).