Illustration depicting Dutch explorer William Barents on his expedition to New Zembla. A group of carpenters is shown repairing a small boat during the expedition of 1596-7.Nova Zembla Island ('New Land') is an uninhabited island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. It is located in Baffin Bay off the north-eastern coast of Baffin Island.