The White Sea lies in the northern part of Russia, between 32 and 44 East and 63 47` and 68 4` North.
Its total area is about 95000 square km, the shoreline - about 3000 km, the average depth - 60 meters, the deepest place - 330 meters.
In summer, the waters near the shores can warm up to +18-24 Celsius. In October - November, the Sea begins to freeze
and stays under ice until May, though the whole area of the Sea does not freeze.
The Sea has a big influence on the area's temperature.
The average January temperature on Solovki (the Solovetsky Islands) is about -10C, in February, when
the heating influence of the Sea reduces, the average temperature falls to -12C. The salinity of the Sea is 23-25 ‰
in average, which is lower than in the Barents Sea, and is explained by a big flow of fresh water from the rivers.
The whirlpool of the Sea is situated between the Kola Peninsula and the Kanin Peninsula,
and connected with the Barents Sea. The White Sea washes three Russian territories - Karelia, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk (Kola Peninsula) regions. The biggest bays are Kandalaksha Bay, Onego Bay, Dvina Bay and Mezen Bay.
The Sea does not have many Islands. The biggest
are
Solovetsky Islands in
the eastern part of the Sea, where the famous Solovetsky Monastery is situated.
Among the other, Kuzova Archipelago can be specified, with its interesting archeological and natural sights.
Several small Islands in the Kandalaksha Bay belong to the Kandalaksha Nature Reserve.
The natural diversity of the Sea is high. It is inhabited by about 60 species of fish,
including Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon (was introduced by human), cod, navaga, herring, plaice, etc.
In summer, Atlantic and Pacific Salmons swim up the rivers of the Kola Peninsula and Karelia to spawn.
The Sea is inhabited by
White Whales (Beluga),
with the total number estimated at about 1500 whales. One of the accumulations of Beluga Whales is
located near Solovki. Other Sea mammal species are harp (Greenland) Seal,
living and breeding mostly in the eastern part of the Sea, Ringed Seal and
Bearded Seal (also called as "Sea Hare").
The birds are represented by various species of turns, gulls, eider, greenshank, oyster catcher, migrating geese and ducks.
On the shores of Solovetsky Islands, people cut kelp which is further processed on the factories on the mainland.
The biggest town and port in the area of the White Sea
is
Arkhangelsk,
located on the shore of the Dvina River 20 km of the Sea (Dvina Bay). Towns of Severodvinsk, Kem, Belomorsk, Kandalaksha, Onego and Mezen are much smaller. Also, there are many villages along the shores of the Sea, including traditional Pomor (coast dwellers) settlements.
Transport:
Getting there - by train, car or bus to the coastal towns Belomorsk, Kem, Kandalaksha, Arkhangelsk etc.
By plane to Arkhangelsk and Solovetsky.
Getting around - by boat.
You can find a tour to the White Sea in our selection of
Karelia tours.
