Yamal is a peninsula located in the north of Western Siberia, on the territory of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. The landscapes of the peninsula are predominantly tundra with numerous lakes. The length of the peninsula is 700 km, the width is up to 240 km. The word “Yamal” is translated from Nenets as “edge of the earth”.

This part of Russia is underdeveloped in terms of population. The Nenets, the indigenous people of Yamal, engage in traditional activities such as large-scale reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting. According to the 2021 census, the total number of Nenets is approximately 35-36 thousand people. Yamal on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

The northern lights and a typical Nenets tent made of untreated leather. The air temperature was minus 30 degrees Celsius.

the harsh life of reindeer herders

Tags: Tyumen oblast · Yamalo-Nenets okrug