Newly-available, edition 3, revised. The seas and islands of the Siberian Arctic are a serious challenge to the navigator, but powerful icebreakers have opened the way to the Northeast Passage, a region which is home for a world-beating range of superb animals. Polar bears and walrus are common, some of the world's rarest birds are everyday sightings, some of the seabirds breed here in uncountable numbers. The islands are largely unexplored and scenically magnificent, a magnet for expedition vessels and adventurous tourists. Icebreaker technology and retreating ice have opened the Russian Arctic to a potential increase of maritime traffic between the Atlantic and Pacific. This is a region largely unexplored, with spectacular icescapes and glaciated islands rich in wildlife. There are great concentrations of seabirds, more polar bears, more walrus, than anywhere on the planet. There are landings where some of the rarest birds in the world are almost commonplace. A magnificent wilderness inviting adventurous travel.