The Laptev Sea is one of the marginal seas of the Arctic Ocean. It stretches between the Taimyr Peninsula, the Severnaya Zemlya Islands and the Novosibirsk Islands. The sea area has an area of about 672 thousand square meters. km. The maximum depth is almost 3390 m, and the average depth is 540 m. This sea got its name thanks to the Russian explorers and navigators - Dmitry and Khariton Laptev. They have been exploring the North Sea as early as the 18th century. The Yakuts (indigenous people) call this reservoir "Laptevtar".
Features of the sea
The Laptev Sea map shows that its shores are heavily indented. The sea has large bays: Khatangsky, Anabarsky, Yansky, Oleneksky, etc. There are many islands in its vast water area. They are concentrated mainly in its western part. The largest island groups: Thaddeus, Vilkitsky and Komsomolskaya Pravda. Small Taimyr, Sandy, Bolshoy Begichev, Starokadomsky, etc. are distinguished from single islands.
The indented coast of the Laptev Sea forms a variety of peninsulas, lips, capes, bays and bays. The rivers Yana, Anabar, Khatanga, Olenek and Lena carry their waters to this sea. They form vast deltas where they flow into the sea. The salinity of sea water is low.
Climatic conditions
The Laptev Sea is considered the most severe among the Arctic seas. The climate there is close to continental, but has pronounced polar and marine features. Continentality is expressed in significant fluctuations in annual temperature. The climate in different areas of the sea is not uniform. In autumn, winds form over the sea, which are easily intensified to storms. In winter, it is calm and slightly cloudy. Rare cyclones occur, causing cold and strong winds.
Using the Laptev Sea
The sea is located far from the center of the country, in a harsh climate. Therefore, its economic use is difficult. For the Russian economy, the Laptev Sea is of great importance, since in this area cargo is transported along the northern sea route. This is where the transit of goods takes place and their delivery to the port of Tiksi. Local residents are engaged in fishing. The density of the indigenous people is very low. Evenks, Yukagirs and other ethnic groups live on the shores. The Laptev Sea is a place for various scientific research. Scientists study how water circulates, observe the ice balance, and make hydrometeorological forecasts.
