Teriberka, North of the Arctic Circle

Story and photos by Maxby Chan

I have always loved my geography lessons. During my time, geography was a simple subject, it helps the young mind explore foreign lands on this blue planet. It molds the foundation of wonder and awe about lands beyond our shores. My idea, then, of overseas travel was crossing the Penang Straits to Butterworth. I have always wondered what it was like staying in the Tundra conditions above the Arctic Circle. How do people survive the cold, unearthly and windy conditions? So when there was a chance to organise a photosafari trip to Murmansk and Teriberka, I was really excited.

Teriberka

This small town is located North of the Arctic Circle. Before the War, Teriberka had a well-developed cod and shark fishing business. In the end of the 1920s, the first collective farm was organised in the village. It included dairy farms, poultry farm, mink breeding farm and a reindeer herd in addition to the fishing industry.

However, the declined came in the 1960s when the administrative centre was shifted to Severomrsk. The population presently has dropped to about 900 residents. However, this town is slowly recovering. Tourism plays a very important part in its recovery. Local and foreign tourists come here for sports fishing, para-snowboarding and photographing the Aurora Borealis.

Photo Gallery

Residential house

Residential house

Most of the houses have satellite dishes for receiving TV signals.

Most of the houses have satellite dishes for receiving TV signals.

The sheltered bay.

The sheltered bay.

 

Water front

Waterfront

Apartments built after the War

Apartments built after the War

Petroleum Exploration Office

Petroleum Exploration Office

The main Street

The main Street

When friends meet

When friends meet

There is a bus stop. Buses ply between Murmansk and Teriberka, three times a week.

There is a bus stop. Buses ply between Murmansk and Teriberka, three times a week.

Grocery Store

Grocery Store

Administrative Centre

Residential area

Abandoned cars

Abandoned cars

Arctic-Circle_036

All I had I gave.

Office for the fishing industry

Office for the fishing industry

Fish processing factory

Fish processing factory

The jetty

The jetty

Titanic

Titanic

Was a boat

Was a boat

The beach facing the Barents sea

The beach facing the Barents sea

Abandoned house

Abandoned house

A chapel

A chapel

 

 

 

 

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