Franz Josef Land

views updated Jun 11 2018

Franz Josef Land (Zemlya Frantsa Iosifa) Russian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, forming part of Archangel'sk oblast. A group of c.187 islands, it includes Alexandra Land, George Land and Graham Bell Island. It was discovered in 1873 by an Austrian expedition, and was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1926. Area: c.20,700sq km (8000sq mi).