Filming in Yamalo-Nenets Region of Russia

Yamalo-Nenets region is one of the largest, yet least populated areas of Russia. It sits on immense gas and oil resources inside the Arctic Circle’s permafrost.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: Geography and Climate.

The region has a total area of 769,250 km² (477,989 mi²), only 10,000 km² smaller than Turkey.

Russia is the world’s biggest natural gas producer, and the Yamalo-Nenets region accounts for about 90% of its gas. The Urengoy gas field is the world’s second-biggest one, having over 10 trillion m³ of gas.

Average temperatures range from -60˚C (-76˚F) in the winter to 17˚C (62.6˚F) in the summer. Autumn and spring are very short due to the proximity to the North Pole - about half of the region is located within the Arctic Circle. Aurora lights are a frequent phenomenon.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: Nature.

There are 300,000 lakes and 48,000 rivers. From the North, the region is washed by the Kara Sea.

The area has the world's biggest reindeer population -- over 700,000.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: History.

The area was first mentioned in the 11th century Novgorod’s chronicles. Travelers claimed that the land was so rich that squirrels and deer were falling from the sky like rain. In the 17th century, Russians started rapidly colonizing the territory.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: Cities.

Salekhard is the capital, located on the east bank of the Ob River and precisely on the Arctic Circle. As of 2016, its population was just over 48,000 people.

Noyabrsk is the largest city with 110,000 people living in it, followed by Novy Urengoy with 106,000 population.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: Population.

Russians make up 62% of population, followed by Ukrainians with 9%.

The third largest group are the Nenets with 6%. The Nenets people are an indigenous ethnic group that still maintains a traditional lifestyle. They spend their lives in tents and mostly live off reindeer.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: How to Get.

The region's biggest city of Novy Urengoy is 3,600 km away from Moscow.

There are 4 major airports in the region. Daily flights connect them with Moscow and the rest of Russia. The flight takes about 3.5 hours.

Film in Yamalo-Nenets Region: Interesting Facts.

Gazprom’s gas extraction projects, such as the Yamal megaproject, represent a threat to the nomadic lifestyle of the Nenets people;

Permafrost creates favorable conditions for remains of prehistoric animals. Lyuba, the best preserved mammoth discovered to date, was found on Yamal Peninsula;

Samoyed dogs were first bred in Yamalo-Nenets Region;

The region is the fifth one in Russia by birth rate. Every 4th person in the region is a kid;

The Yamal Region has the world’s northernmost railway - the 570-km Obskaya-Bovanenkovo line.

A giant 35-meter sinkhole appeared in Yamal in 2014 after a mysterious explosion;

Underground methane forms huge bubbles on the surface in some areas of the peninsula. According to some scientists, global warming can lead to explosive release of gas.

Russia plans to kill about 250,000 reindeer living in the region, citing a danger of anthrax.

Novy Urengoi
City under Northern Lights

Typical view from above
The region is incredibly rich in lakes

Typical view from above

Yamal in the summer
Summers are very short due to proximity of the Arctic

Northern lights

Nenets people on a reindeer sledge
Reindeer are the center of the nomadic Nenets people's life

Nenets people competing in traditional sports

Reindeer racing

Nenets reindeer herder

Reindeer in the summer

Orthodox temple under snow