Chukotka autonomous okrug, Russia (Chukotsky)

The capital city of Chukotka okrug: Anadyr.

Chukotka okrug overview

Chukotka (also spelled Chukotsky) autonomous okrug (district) is a federal subject of Russian Federation in the Far East, a part of Far-Eastern federal district bordering on USA in the east. The city of Anadyr is the administrative center of the region.

Chukotka region population is about 49,000 (2010) on the territory of 737,700 sq. km.

Chukotka okrug flag

Chukotka okrug coat of arms

Chukotka okrug map, Russia

Chukotka okrug territory features

Chukotka autonomous okrug is located in the extreme north-east of Russia and occupies the whole peninsula of Chukotka, a part of continent and a number of islands (Vrangel, Iron, Ratmanov and others).

Chukotka region is washed by East-Siberian and Chukotka Sea of the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean. Main rivers of the region are Anadyr, Omolon, Velikaya, Amguema, Bolshoi and Maly Anyui.

Chukotka autonomous okrug is a territory with frontier routine. Entering the part of the okrug close to sea-shore and the islands is regulated by Russian border guards.

Most part of the territory is located behind 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 from 15 to 39C below zero, in July from 5 to 10 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 okrug history

Chukotka autonomous okrug was formed on December 10th, 1930. Till 1953 it was a part of Kamchatka region, from May 28th, 1951 - a part of Khabarovsky region. From December 3rd, 1953 - a part of Magadan oblast. In 1980 Chukotka national okrug became autonomous. On July 16th, 1992, Chukotka autonomous okrug came out of Magadan oblast and at present it is the only autonomous okrug which is not a part of any oblast of Russian Federation.

Chukotka okrug 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 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 okrug 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 okrug, 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 archeological 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.