On the peculiar and harsh nature of the north of Western Siberia, its vast expanses, full-flowing rivers, taiga villages, where Khanty, Mansi, Nenets, Komi-Zyryans have long lived and worked. Russians and other peoples, - the author, ethnographer, candidate of historical sciences, writes about this in a popular science form. A big place in the work is occupied by the story of the big changes that have taken place in the region over the years of Soviet power.