Chukotka region overview
Chukotka (also spelled Chukotsky) autonomous okrug (district, region) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation located in the Far East, a part of Far-Eastern federal district bordering on the USA in the east. The city of Anadyr is the administrative center of the region.
Chukotka region population is about 51,000 (2012) on the territory of 721,481 sq. km.
Chukotka region territory features
Chukotka autonomous okrug is located in the extreme north-east of Russia and occupies the whole peninsula of Chukotka, a part of the continent and a number of islands (Vrangel, Iron, Ratmanov and others).
The region is washed by the East-Siberian and Chukotka Seas of the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean. Main rivers of the region are the Anadyr, Omolon, Velikaya, Amguema, Bolshoi and Maly Anyui.
Chukotka autonomous region is a territory with frontier routine. Entering the part of the province close to sea-shore and the islands is regulated by the Russian border guards.
Most part of the territory is located in the Arctic Circle. That’s why the climate is of severe sub-arctic type, on the sea-shore - of sea type, in inner part - of continental type. Winter lasts up to 10 months. Average temperature in January ranges from 15 to 39 degrees Celsius below zero, in July - from 5 to 10 degrees C above zero.
Chukotka region possesses considerable deposits of oil, gas, coal, gold, tin, tungsten, quicksilver.
Here there is a unique lake Elgygytgyn, the research of which will enable to understand what kind of climate was a thousand years ago, as well as natural preserve of Vrangel Island.
Chukotka region nature
Chukotka region nature view
Author: Vorobyov Maksim
Chukotka region nature
Author: Stanislav Stepanov
Chukotka region view
Author: Vorobyov Maksim
Chukotka region history
Chukotka autonomous region was formed on December 10, 1930. Till 1953, it was a part of Kamchatka region, from May 28, 1951 - a part of Khabarovsk region. From December 3, 1953 - a part of Magadan region.
In 1980, Chukotka national region became autonomous. On July 16, 1992, Chukotka autonomous region came out of Magadan region and at present it is the only autonomous okrug which is not a part of any region of the Russian Federation.
Chukotka region traveling and tourism
Traveling on waterways of Chukotka gives a chance to fully get to know the nature of the region. Kayaking and boating are possible in July and August, all the rest time of the year rivers are either covered with ice or rather shallow.
The sea-shore of Chukotka and Providence districts are cruised with American, Canadian and Russian tourists. Cruises are organized by American and British tourist companies.
The programs of cruises include visiting unique nature, historical and cultural monuments: Whale Alley on Yttyrgan island, Lorin hot springs, ethnographical places on capes Nunyamo and Dezhnev, national settlements.
Sea cruises along the shores of Anadyr and Bering districts become more and more popular. For tourists coming to the capital Anadyr in summertime there are tours in Onemen bay, Kanchalin estuaries, Anadyr estuary and mouths of the rivers Anadyr, and Velikaya. The region has a lot of hunting places.
Chukotka is annually visited by Russian and foreign scientists making researches in different branches. Scientific expeditions permanently work in the region, conferences are held to solve the problem of permanent development of the territory.
Reindeer-breeders’ camps in Shmidt and Iultinsky districts with the traditional way of life and settlements of sea trapping hunters on the shore attract ethnographers’ and linguists’ attention who study the peoples of Extreme North. Most archaeological monuments out of the 500 in the district still remain non-researched.
Ornithologists are frequent guests in Chukotka, over 220 kinds of birds can be found here. Ichthyologists and scientists studying other biological sea resources are holding systematic scientific work.
Chukotka is mostly hilly territory with low- and middle mountain relief. Under these conditions walking and biking tours of various complexity are possible in summer. In wintertime tracks for mountain skiing and snow-boarding can be laid.
Famous extreme travelers consider Chukotka one of the most difficult and interesting regions on Earth.