Murmansk (in 1916-1917 - Romanov-on- Murman) is a city in Russia, an administrative centre of Murmansk area. Murmansk is situated on the rocky east coast of Kola bay of the Barents Sea. It is the world’s largest city located behind the northern polar circle and one of the largest ports of Russia.

Murmansk is the world’s largest city located behind the Northern polar circle, in a permafrost zone. The city was extended more than on 20 kilometers along the rocky east coast of Kola bay, in 50 kilometers from an exit to the open sea.

The city of Murmansk, as well as all Murmansk area, is in the time zone designated under the international standard as Moscow Time Zone (MSK/MSD). The displacement in reference to UTC makes +3:00 (MSK, winter time) / +4:00 (MSD, summertime) as in this time zone there is the transition to summertime. Murmansk time differs from the zone time on one hour as on the territory of Russia there is the Daylight Time.

The city is situated on the Atlantic-Arctic zone of a temperate climate. The climate of Murmansk is formed by affinity of the Barents Sea which influence strengthens a warm North-Atlantic current. This factor promotes a strong difference of the Murmansk climate from climate of the majority of the cities located behind the Northern polar circle. Unlike many northern cities, in Murmansk abnormal high winter temperatures of air are observed. An average temperature of January - February in Murmansk is approximately −10°С …-11°С. Because of affinity of the warm air weights, carried by the current Gulf Stream, the approach of cold weather in Murmansk usually comes approximately on one month later, than in other northern areas.

The wind in Murmansk has a monsoonal character – in winter southern winds from the continent, carrying a dry frosty weather to the city, prevail. And in summer prevail the northern winds from the Barents Sea bringing to Murmansk an increased humidity of air and cool summer weather. 

Maritime Port
The economy basis of the city is the Murmansk Maritime Port. It is one of the largest nonfreezing ports in Russia. In Murmansk the Northern Sea way begins. The Murmansk port is a registry port of the bark «Sedov», the biggest sailing vessel in the world. On May, 2007 the decision of the creation of a free economic zone in Murmansk port was accepted.

The Murmansk port consists of three parts:

Fish port
Murmansk Commercial seaport
Passenger port