Which sea contains the Solovetsky Islands archipelago?

The Solovetsky Islands archipelago lies in the White Sea, specifically in the sea’s Onega Bay on Russia’s northwest coast.

The group consists of six principal islands, including Bolshoy Solovetsky, Anzersky, Bolshaya Muksalma, and the Zayatsky Islands. Together they cover about 347 square kilometres. Their shores, forests, lakes, and historic stone labyrinths make the archipelago distinctive, but its best-known landmark is the Solovetsky Monastery, founded in the 15th century.

The islands are sometimes confused with the Barents Sea because the White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea. Geographically, however, they are in the White Sea, near the entrance to Onega Bay. The monastery later became the site of the Solovki prison camp, one of the earliest Soviet forced-labour camps, adding major historical significance to this remote Arctic archipelago.