Norilsk is one of five northernmost towns of Russia and the whole world. Norilsk is located on the Taymyr Peninsula 300km to the north of the Polar Circle, in the zone of northern forests, tundra and permafrost. The climate here is subarctic. The most part of the year average monthly temperatures are below freezing even in summer. Polar night lasts for 2-3 months (December-February), polar day lasts from May to July.

The nickel-processing city was founded in 1920s to exploit big reserves of copper, nickel, cobalt and coal. Norilsk has a number of metalworking, chemical and oil-refining industries. It also houses the head office of the world famous trust 'Norilsk nickel'.