# Yuzhny Island

> island in Russia

**Wikidata**: [Q212806](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212806)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzhny_Island)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yuzhny-island

## Summary
Yuzhny Island, also known as Southern Island, is a landmass in Russia that serves as part of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Located in Arkhangelsk Oblast, the island is situated at coordinates 72°N and 54°E and has a recorded population of 2,716.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Island (a piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water).
- **Location:** Russia, specifically within Arkhangelsk Oblast.
- **Archipelago:** Part of the Novaya Zemlya Arctic archipelago.
- **Aliases:** Southern Island.
- **Population:** 2,716.
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 72, Longitude 54.
- **Directional Name:** "Yuzhny" refers to "south," one of the four cardinal directions.
- **Related Settlement:** Belushya Guba (an urban-type settlement in Arkhangelsk Oblast established in 1897).
- **Sovereign State:** Russian Federation (since 1991).
- **Historical Sovereignty:** Soviet Union (1922–1991) and Russian Empire (1721–1917).

## FAQs
**Where is Yuzhny Island situated?**
Yuzhny Island is located in northern Russia within the Arkhangelsk Oblast and is a component of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.

**What does the name Yuzhny Island signify?**
The name "Yuzhny" translates to "south," identifying it as the southern island relative to its geographic context, and it is also known by the alias "Southern Island."

**What is the population of Yuzhny Island?**
The island has a population of 2,716 people.

**What administrative region does Yuzhny Island belong to?**
It is part of Arkhangelsk Oblast, a federal subject in the North-West of Russia that was established on September 23, 1937.

**What is the geographical definition of Yuzhny Island?**
It is classified as an island, defined as a piece of sub-continental land that is completely surrounded by water.

## Why It Matters
Yuzhny Island is significant as a populated component of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, contributing to the human geography and administrative structure of Arkhangelsk Oblast. Its location places it within the Russian Arctic, a region of strategic importance for the nation's geography and history. As part of Russia, the island falls under the jurisdiction of the world's largest transcontinental country, linking it to a vast political, economic, and historical narrative that spans from the Imperial era through the Soviet period to the modern Federation.

## Notable For
- Being the southern island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago.
- Maintaining a population of 2,716 inhabitants.
- Being located at the high-latitude coordinates of 72°N and 54°E.
- Its association with the urban-type settlement of Belushya Guba.
- Its inclusion in the territory of Arkhangelsk Oblast, a region with an inception date in 1937.

## Body

### Geography and Physical Characteristics
Yuzhny Island is defined geographically as an island, which is a piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water. It is situated at the coordinates 72°N latitude and 54°E longitude. The island's name, "Yuzhny," refers to "south," one of the four cardinal directions, and it is frequently referred to by the alias "Southern Island." It is part of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, an Arctic archipelago located in northern Russia.

### Location and Administrative Context
The island is located within Arkhangelsk Oblast, a federal subject and oblast in the North-West of Russia. Arkhangelsk Oblast came into existence on September 23, 1937. Within this region, Yuzhny Island is associated with Belushya Guba, an urban-type settlement that was established in 1897.

### National Context: The Russian Federation
Yuzhny Island is part of the Russian Federation, the world's largest country by land area, spanning approximately 17 million square kilometers across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Russia is a transcontinental sovereign state established as a successor to the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991. It operates as a federal semi-presidential republic with Moscow as its capital.

**Key National Statistics:**
- **Area:** 17,075,400 square kilometers.
- **Population:** Approximately 146.1 million (as of 2025).
- **Government:** Federal republic, semi-presidential system.
- **Head of State:** Vladimir Putin (President, since 2012).
- **Head of Government:** Mikhail Mishustin (Prime Minister, since 2020).
- **Official Language:** Russian (statewide).
- **Currency:** Russian ruble.
- **International Memberships:** United Nations (permanent Security Council member), BRICS, G20, WTO, SCO, CIS.

Russia's geography is transcontinental, bordering 14 countries and sharing maritime boundaries with Japan and the United States. The nation spans 11 time zones and possesses diverse topography, with the highest point being Mount Elbrus (5,642m). The country is known for its vast forest reserves and its role as a major global energy supplier.

### Historical Sovereignty
The territory of Yuzhny Island has been under the sovereignty of several major Russian state entities throughout history.

**Russian Empire (1721–1917)**
Prior to the modern era, the island was part of the Russian Empire, a sovereign state that spanned Eurasia and, for a period, North America. The Empire was founded by Peter the Great on October 22, 1721, and functioned as an absolute monarchy until reforms in 1905 transformed it into a constitutional monarchy. It was dissolved on September 1, 1917, following the February Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy.
- **Capital:** Primarily Saint Petersburg.
- **Official Religion:** Russian Orthodox Church.
- **Key Territories:** Included Russian America (until 1867) and spanned three continents.

**Soviet Union (1922–1991)**
Following the Russian Empire, the island became part of the Soviet Union, a former country in Eurasia that existed from December 30, 1922, until its dissolution in 1991. This period preceded the establishment of the modern Russian Federation.

### Demographics and Regional Society
While Yuzhny Island has a specific population of 2,716, it exists within the broader demographic landscape of Russia. The nation has a population of roughly 146 million, with Russians being the largest ethnic group. The country faces demographic challenges such as fluctuating birth rates and an aging population, with a life expectancy of approximately 73 years. The region surrounding the island, Arkhangelsk Oblast, includes urban settlements like Belushya Guba, contributing to the localized population distribution in the Russian Arctic.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet