There are several theories about the origin of the name "Taimyr." The most widely accepted explanation is that it comes from theEvenki language, originating from the ancient Tungus word "tamura", which means "valuable, precious, rich." The Evenki people originally used this name for theTaimyr River, known for its abundance of fish. In the 19th century, thanks to the geographer and explorerAlexander von Middendorff (1815–1894), the name came to refer to the entirepeninsula.
Other interpretations exist as well. For example, inYakut, "tuoy muora" translates to "salt lake," which can also be understood metaphorically as "fertile" or "blessed," since salt is vital for the health ofreindeer. Another Yakut version, "Tymyr," means "blood vessel."
In theNenets language, "tai myarey" means "bald" or "bare," possibly in reference to the region’s low-growingtundra.
MMC Norilsk Nickel conducts mining operations in the area. The company conductssmelting operations in the area of the city ofNorilsk, near the peninsula. The nickel ore concentrate and other products of the company are transported over a short railroad to the port city ofDudinka on theYenisei River, and from there by boat toMurmansk and other ports.
Cape Chelyuskin, northernmost point of Afro-Eurasian mainland; 77°43'22" N, 104°15'13" E
Taymyr landscape
Muskox, anArcticmammal of the familyBovidae, successfully reintroduced to the Taymyr Peninsula region in 1975
The peninsula is the site of the last known naturally occurringmuskox outside ofNorth America, which died out about 2,000 years ago.[2] They were successfully reintroduced in 1975.[3] The population grew to 2,500 in 2002, increasing to 6,500 in 2010.[4]
A study in 2021 found that, based oneDNA,woolly mammoths survived on the Taymyr Peninsula until 3,900 to 4,100 years ago, roughly concurrent with another population onWrangel Island. The Taymyr Peninsula, with its drier habitat, may have served as arefugium for themammoth steppe, supporting mammoths and other widespreadIce Age mammals, such as wild horses (Equus sp.).[5]
The coasts of the Taymyr Peninsula are frozen most of the year, between September and June on average. The summer season is short, especially on the shores of the Laptev Sea in the northeast. The climate in the north and exterior of the peninsula isTundra Climate (ET), while some areas further-south have a very cold but somewhat morecontinentalsubarctic climate, with winters even slightly colder than the tundra directly to the north, but with somewhat warmer summers that can support some tree growth. Winters are harsh, with frequent blizzards and extremely low temperatures. The following data forCape Chelyuskin provides an indication of the weather experienced in the northern part of the peninsula.
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