Naryan-Mar (Russian: Нарья́н-Мар; Nenets: Няръянa мар, romanized: Njarjana mar, lit.

Industrial development in the area around Naryan-Mar began in 1930, in the course of the first five-year plan of the Soviet Union.

The growth of the region was the direct result of the development of the Pechora coalfield and the construction of related industrial infrastructure.

The town's importance derives from being the only developed commercial port in an area of several thousand square miles.

The town also hosts a local museum, a large World War II memorial, an Orthodox church, and a historic district which predates the foundation of the modern city.