Arctic and Northern Sea route in the works of researchers at the late XX – the beginning of XXI centuries

The issue of the Arctic territories and their use constantly attracts the attention of researchers. In recent decades, the discussion on Arctic issues has only become more acute: this is due to both climate change and the development of technology and transport, making this region more accessible to humans. The historical and national aspect also plays an important role in maintaining interest in the Arctic: living in the Arctic zone or even temporary contact with it had a significant impact on the formation of a sense of national identity among local peoples. The purpose of the study is to deter-mine the main directions of research devoted to the Arctic problems on the basis of works published during the period after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the field of view of the authors is both domestic and foreign (mainly Norwegian) historiography. A number of directions are identified that determine the historiography of the period under study. The history of the development of the Arctic territories is presented by the works of both domestic and foreign researchers. The researchers focused on the first Arctic expeditions, the biographies of the discoverers, the role of international cooperation in the study of the polar territories, the role of scientific institutions, diplomatic departments and political institutions in different historical periods. The turn of the XX–XXI centuries in Norwegian historiography is marked by the appearance of works on microhistorical problems. Using the examples of various northern territories, researchers raised the issue of regional characteristics, which made it possible to recreate the socio-cultural practices of various groups of northerners that are significant for the formation of the local environment. A notable phenomenon in historiography is the question of Svalbard, where the economic and strategic interests of Russia and Norway intersect. Also, the researchers did not ignore the issue of the North-ern Sea Route and its role for the Yenisei Siberia, as well as new opportunities for economic cooperation between Russia and European states.