Shikotan Island. Kuril Islands, Shikotan Island

There are many interesting places in the world that are popular with lovers of natural attractions. The island of Shikotan attracts eco-tourism lovers with its unique relief and a variety of bioresources. There are no volcanoes and there are no aggressive predators. The mild climate and fairly even terrain (the highest point - 405 meters) create favorable conditions for visiting the island in any season.

History

The world learned about this remarkable island thanks to the Second Kamchatka Expedition, which took place in 1733-1743. Its first name is Figured, it very accurately reflects the characteristic cut line of the banks. Subsequently, this small area of land began to bear the name of its discoverer - the Russian navigator MP Shpanberg. Today it is better known as the island of Shikotan, which in translation from local language means "the best place".

Considering the advantageous strategic position of this territory, the "struggle" for it is conducted between the two countries: Russia and Japan. The country of the Rising Sun has been trying to return the Kuril Islands for more than half a century . Shikotan Island already belonged to it from 1885 to 1945. Another important historical landmark is the strong earthquake of 1999, after which a large number of local people left these lands. To date, the situation is adjusted.

Geographical position

In the North Pacific there is a small archipelago - the Kuril Islands. The island of Shikotan is located in one of two parallel ridges (Minor), which make up this geographical object. It is considered the largest and has coordinates 43 degrees 48 minutes north latitude and 146 degrees 45 minutes east longitude. This island is washed by the Pacific Ocean and the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Territorial unit

In Russia there is only one administrative district, which is located on the islands, this is the Sakhalin region. Shikotan Island is part of the South Kurile District of this administrative unit and has an area of 182 square meters. Km. The length of this small area of land in length is about 28 kilometers, and in width - slightly more than 9 kilometers.

The coves

The map of the island of Shikotan clearly shows how often the shoreline is cut. Therefore among the sights with which it is known, in a separate group there are numerous bays:

• Malokurilskaya . It is considered to be the most "convenient", since the flat bank allows the vessels to moor directly at the pier. Here, there is a riotous taiga vegetation, which is typical for this region.
• The dolphin . This bay is named after the vessel of the same name, on which research of this territory was conducted at the beginning of the 20th century. It is famous for the dangerous stones blocking the entrance to the ships, and the picturesque lagoon formed at the mouth of the Ostrovnaya River. The bay is icebound during the winter months, which distinguishes it from the rest.
• Crab . Here, as in other coastal regions of the island, Far Eastern crabs and saury are being mined. Its depth reaches 15 meters, which makes it a transit point for all fishing vessels. In the bay there is a lighthouse, named after the discoverer of the island.
• Church . This is the most attractive place for lovers of seascapes. Proof of this is its other name - "Bay of Aivazovsky."

Cape

Numerous sharp landmarks of the land are also unique sights that characterize the island as one of the most picturesque. It:

• Cape Edge of the World . This is the most popular place for visitors of the island, which ends abruptly with a steep and rocky cliff 40 meters high. This cape is visited by all tourists arriving at Shikotan. The testimonies of eyewitnesses who managed to visit the edge of the cliff indicate that such a frightening name is justified. It offers a beautiful view of the water expanses of the largest ocean on Earth. It is interesting that many people confuse the name of the cape and the island and believe that the Land of Light is the name of the latter.
• Cape Voloshin . It is a very picturesque cliff, composed of rocky rocks. It was named after the Russian watercolor artist, who at the beginning of the 20th century created a shelter for creative people in crisis situations. Kuril Islands are today a place of pilgrimage of famous "brush masters" who draw inspiration from a unique source of natural beauty.

Flora

The island is famous for lush coniferous forests of fir, spruce, juniper and larch, which are a characteristic feature of this region.

• The unique stone-birch forests are also a distinctive feature of the local landscapes. They are located closer to the shore, except for the eastern part of the island.
• Local bamboo (Kuril) and yew are found in numerous undergrowths that are concentrated near streams.
• Tea, which grows on the island, is popular with travelers and local people. His infusion is used to improve the body, and it is included in the menu map of all food items.
• Along with the vegetation characteristic of the northern regions, there are typically "southern" specimens, such as acacia, grapes and liana.
• A poisonous tree. It is a shrub that has very fleshy leaf blades. Contact with any part of this plant can cause an immediate skin reaction - a burn. But it must be noted that this plant can be dangerous only in a very short time.

Fauna

Shikotan Island differs from its "neighbors" in a wide variety of fauna:

• Birds. Many feathered representatives of the animal world winter here, for example, eagles and swans. Such birds as kulik, sailor, etc., stop on the island to rest during seasonal migrations.
• Animals. Here there are animals that belong to protected categories: sea otters, seals (anthur, sea lion and larghi), wild horses.
• In the numerous streams of the island, salmon and kunja live.

Conclusion

In the future, the island of Shikotan can become one of the unique centers specializing in marine diving. In the plans of the local tourism industry, the creation of special facilities for lovers of underwater sports, as there are all conditions for the implementation of such projects.