Development of the natural resources in the Arctic zone of Russia in X-XVII centuries

Abstract

An exploration of the natural resources of the Russian Arctic was started in the X century by Novgorod people. The main objective was the development of the river, lake, offshore lands, as well as the development of the fishing and hunting products. The territories to the west and to the east of the Northern Dvina River were learnt, the settlements were built in the XII century on the banks of the rivers flowing into the White and Barents seas. Then the development of the Trans-Ural and Ugra areas was started. At the end of the XV century, the first government ore-searching expeditions were carried out. In the XVI century the sea route to the Western Europe and Siberia was paved, and the first ever project of the Northern Sea Route was designed. In the XVII century the development of Ugra took place, as well as the construction of new settlements, fisheries, trade routes. In the development of the natural resources in the new territories in Siberia, a decisive role was played by Pomors, the expeditions in 50 years led to Chukotka.