The Archipelago

• Located 50 km off the coast of Karelia in the White Sea.

• Consists of 100 islands.

• Population: 1,340.

• Contains  526 freshwater lakes, holding fish such as perch, roach, carp and pike.

• The islands are rising at a rate of 2-3 millimeters per year.

• The six biggest islands are:

Solovetsky : 219 sq. km;

Anzer: 19 sq. km;

Great Muksalma: 17 sq. km;

Small Muksalma: 2 sq. km;

Great Zayats (Hare): 11.5 sq. km;

Small Zayats: 1.2 sq. km.

• The micro climate resembles that of central Russia. Weather is highly changeable, from hot to chilly in summer. Some islands are covered by tundra, others are wooded and heavily infested with mosquitoes (of which there are 30 varieties).

• Temperature range: High in July +15 Co; low in February -12Co.