Archangel

an ancient seaport on the Arctic coast of Russia. Latitude 64 degree 32' N., longitude 40 degree 33' E. Archangel is situated on the east bank of the Dwina, twenty miles from the White Sea. It is connected with Moscow by railway, and is noted, not only as the most northerly railroad terminus in Russia, but as the most ancient, and for several centuries the only, seaport of that country. From western Europe it is approached only by a long voyage around the north of Norway and Finland, a trip three or four times as long as that to Iceland. During the winter season the port is sealed for eight months by arctic ice. During a short summer, ships are loaded with tar, timber, fish oil, tallow, flax, hemp, and oats, in exchange for groceries, tools, and clothing. Large saw-mills have sprung up in the vicinity. Population, 21,930. See Hammerfest; Arctic Regions; Spitzbergen