North Siberian Lowland

The North Siberian Lowland (Russian: Северо-Сибирская низменность), also known as Taymyr Lowland (Таймырская низменность), is a lowland plain between the lower reaches of the Yenisey and Olenyok rivers in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Yakutia. It is 1,400 km long and up to 600 km wide. This lowland plain features flat-topped ridges approximately 200-300 m high, which rise over broad and heavily swamped degradations with a large number of thermokarst lakes.

The North Siberian Lowland is formed by marine and ice-laid deposits, underlaid with sandstones and argillites. Permafrost is a common phenomenon in this area. The climate is subarctic continental with long (7–8 months) cold winters and short cool summers. Average temperature in January is -30 degrees Celsius in the West and up to -35-37 degrees Celsius in the East. Temperature in July is around 6-10 degrees Celsius. Snow cover stays for approximately 265 days. Precipitation is 250-300 mm per year.

Rivers Pyasina, Taymyra, Kheta and Kotuy flow over the North Siberian Lowland and give rise to Khatanga, Popigay and Anabar. The biggest lake in the North Siberian Lowland is Lake Taymyr. Lichen tundra dominates northern parts of the lowland, while southern parts are full of shrubbery vegetation.

Sparse forest in the west consists mainly of Siberian larch. Eastern parts of the lowland are covered with Dahurian larch. The North Siberian Lowland has deposits of oil, natural gas and coal (Taymyr Basin).

This article includes content derived from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969–1978, which is partially in the public domain.

Coordinates: 72°0′N 101°0′E / 72.000°N 101.000°E