There is such an autonomous region in the Russian Federation, in the Far East - Chukotka. Yakutia, the Magadan Region and the Kamchatka Territory are located in the neighborhood. Alaska is nearby, it's a pity it belongs to the USA (at least everyone thinks so). Crossed the Bering Strait - here is America.

The capital of Chukotka is the city of Anadyr. The area of ​​the district is more than 720 thousand km2. The Chukotka District occupies land between the lower reaches of the Kolyma in the west and Cape Dezhnev on the Chukotka Peninsula, as well as the following rather large islands: Wrangel, Aion, Arakamchechen, Ratmanov, Gerald and others.
Chukotka cuts like a rocky wedge into two oceans: the Pacific and the Arctic. Waves of the East Siberian, Chukchi and Bering Seas beat on the coast of Chukotka.

Relief of Chukotka

Mountainous terrain prevails. In the northeast is the Chukotka Highlands, in the center - the Anadyr Plateau and the Anyui Highlands, in the southwest - the northern extremities of the Kolyma Uplands, in the southeast - the Koryak Uplands. Above the uplands there are separate ridges with a peak height of more than 1 km. The highest point on the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is located on the Anyui Highlands, its height is 1853 m above sea level.

The lowlands adjoin the sea bays. From a geological point of view, Chukotka is a very young region of the earth's surface. Its relief was formed as a result of vertical tectonic movements of the earth's crust. These movements began in the Neogene period and have not ended to the present.

Climate

The region is located in the Far North, so the climate is harsh: on the coasts - humid sea air (cold in winter), in the interior mountainous regions - the climate is sharply continental. Winter is very long - up to 10 months a year. Average temperatures in January are down to –40°С (the minimum is even lower naturally), in July - from +5 to +10°С. The soils are permafrost everywhere.

Nature of Chukotka

Chukotka is the land of rivers and rivulets. The largest and most famous:

• Anadyr (with tributaries Main, Belaya, Tanurer),
• Velikaya (flows into the Onemen Bay of the Bering Sea),
• Big Anyui and Small Anyui (originate in the mountain ranges of Chukotka and flow into the Kolyma).

The rivers are fed mainly from melting snow or rain; the water is cold, but in most places you can drink it right away, without boiling. There are also many lakes, mostly of thermokarst origin, mostly located within tectonic depressions. The largest lakes: Red and Elgygytgyn (maximum depth - 169 m). Within the northern coastline there are lakes with salt water. There are three deposits of mineral heat-and-power waters with temperatures up to 80°C (Chaplyginskoye, Lorinskoye and Dezhnevskoye).

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Chukotka is the land of forest-tundra, tundra and arctic deserts. Tundra, low-stemming vegetation prevails. On the tops of the mountains and on Wrangel Island there are arctic deserts. In the basins of the Anadyr River and other large rivers, there are island forests (larch, poplar, Korean willow, birch, alder, etc.).

In Chukotka, mainly in the forests, there are several dozen species of mammals (fox, arctic fox, wolf, wolverine, brown and polar bears) and a couple of hundred species of birds (white and tundra partridge, geese, ducks, swans). On the coast, "bird markets" are noisy - eiders, guillemots, gulls. There are a lot of fish, I don’t want to catch. So fishing in Chukotka should succeed.

For tourists and adventurers

The Chukotka region is one of those places in the world that seem to be created to test a person “for strength”. The edge of permafrost, there is almost always wind and blizzards. Chukotka shows its unique beauty only to those who are ready to meet the challenges. The philosophy of life of the indigenous peoples is formed in this extreme climate. Life and life of people here is initially subject to the goal of survival. That is why, going to Chukotka, it is very important to understand whether you have the strength of mind and body strength, whether you are physically enduring.

Over 900 species of higher plants, more than 400 species of mosses and the same number of lichens grow in Chukotka. Even the flora of Wrangel Island, Chukotka's northernmost landmass, includes at least 385 plant species, which is significantly more than the flora of any island of equal size in the Arctic zone.

At first glance, the vegetation here is very poor. Only occasionally in the river valleys can one find light-coniferous forests of thin Dahurian larches and dwarf birches, and very rarely - relict Chozenia-poplar forests. Tundras are more common with unpretentious shrubby alder and elfin cedar, sedge and cotton grass, blueberries and lingonberries. The landscape of the mountain and arctic tundra is most typical, with small shrubs pressed to the ground, grasses, mosses and lichens.

Meanwhile, this plant scarcity is rather visible: over 900 species of higher plants, more than 400 species of mosses and the same number of lichens grow in Chukotka. Even the flora of Wrangel Island, Chukotka's northernmost landmass, includes at least 385 plant species, which is significantly more than the flora of any island of equal size in the Arctic zone.

The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is located in several natural zones, and therefore its vegetation cover is very diverse. Here one can single out the zone of the Arctic desert (which includes the Wrangel and Herald Islands, as well as a narrow strip of land along the coast of the Arctic Ocean), the zone of typical and southern hypoarctic tundra and forest tundra (Western Chukotka, the Chukotka Peninsula, the Lower Anadyr Lowland, the southern part of the Anadyr River basin and Beringovsky district), as well as the zone of larch taiga (basins of the Anyui and Omolon rivers).

No less diverse is the fauna of Chukotka, which belongs to a typical "Arctic complex" with a center in Alaska and is quite unique for the Russian North, since many species of the Arctic fauna do not spread further to the west than Chukotka.

402 species of fish (65 families) live in the Bering Sea, and 50 species and 14 families of them are commercial. Fishing objects are also 4 species of crabs, 4 species of shrimp, 2 species of cephalopods. About 30 species of freshwater fish live in the inland waters of the district, but mainly salmon, char and whitefish are caught, as well as grayling, smelt, pike, broad whitefish and burbot.

Birds are numerous: tundra partridges, ducks, geese, swans; on the coast - guillemots, eiders and gulls, forming "bird colonies". In total there are about 220 species.

White and brown bears, reindeer, bighorn sheep, sable, lynx, wolf, arctic fox, wolverine, ermine, chipmunk, white hare, fox, muskrat, mink, etc. are found here.

The seas are rich in marine animals: walrus, seal and whales.

Lots of insects: mosquitoes, midges, horseflies.

The Red Book of the Russian Federation includes the polar bear and bighorn sheep, marine mammals narwhal, humpback, fin whale, sei whale, gray and blue whales, minke whales, as well as 24 species of birds.

The Okrug has a natural reserve "Vranlegya Island", a natural-ethnic park "Beringia", a state zoological reserve of republican significance "Swan", state natural reserves of regional (district) significance "Avtkuul", "Tumansky", "Tundrovy", "Ust- Tanyurersky", "Chaun Bay", "Teyukuul", "Omolonsky".

In addition, there are 20 natural monuments of regional significance on the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Russian Civilization

One of the most sparsely populated, mysterious and unexplored regions in the Russian Federation is Chukotka. And really, what do we know about her? Many do not even imagine exactly where this peninsula is located. What can we say about other geographical, natural and cultural features of this distant land.

Our article will tell about the geographical location, climate and nature of Chukotka, and also introduce the reader to the indigenous people of this peninsula - the Chukchi.

End of the earth...

These are the words that can describe the geographical position of Chukotka. It really is on the very edge of Eurasia. Here is located the extreme eastern point of the mainland - Cape Dezhnev.

The tiny territory of the Chukotka Peninsula (the total area is only 58,000 sq. km.) Is located in two hemispheres of the Earth at once - Western and Eastern. This, by the way, is the only part of continental Asia that has western longitude in the coordinate system.

By the way, the inhabitants of the peninsula are very lucky: they have the right to enter the territory of neighboring Alaska without visas. And this is perhaps one of the most pleasant features of the geographical location of Chukotka. From here to the American coast - only 86 kilometers through the Bering Strait.

It is important to separate the peninsula itself and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, which is one of the subjects of the Russian Federation. Chukotka in administrative terms is just two districts within the mentioned region - Chukotsky and Providensky.

Relief and minerals of Chukotka

Most of the Chukotka Peninsula is occupied by a low highlands of the same name with average absolute heights of 600-1000 meters. Its surface is strongly dissected and is represented by individual peaks and lonely hills. The Chukchi Plateau acts as the main watershed of the peninsula. One part of the rivers flows from it into the Chukchi Sea, and the other - into the Bering Sea.

The highest point of the Chukotka Peninsula is located near Provideniya Bay. This is Mount Ikhodnaya (1194 meters). The edge of the highlands here abruptly breaks off to the ocean, forming a series of steep rocky ledges.

The bowels of Chukotka are quite rich in minerals. Deposits of alluvial gold, mercury, tin, polymetallic ores, and coal have been explored here. Huge reserves of building materials on the peninsula: limestone, sand, gravel and marble.

Climate of Chukotka

Chukotka is a land of permafrost, a harsh but beautiful peninsula in its own way. Winter here seems to last forever. At this time, the peninsula turns into an icy and lifeless desert. But when the short summer comes (2-3 months), Chukotka pleases with quite diverse vegetation and cheerful mountain streams.

The climate of Chukotka is unique in many respects. It was formed in the zone of active influence of two oceans with incredibly complex atmospheric circulation. In this regard, storms, snowfalls and fogs are often observed here. Locals joke that one month of the year the weather in Chukotka is bad, two are very bad, and nine are bad!

Permafrost is widespread almost everywhere in Chukotka. The only exceptions are thermokarst lakes and valleys of large rivers.

The Chukotka peninsula is the owner of several climatic records in Russia at once. So, here is the largest number of days without sun in the country and the maximum of storms and hurricanes per year.

Rivers and lakes of Chukotka

The territory of the peninsula is rich not only in mineral resources, but also in water resources. The rivers here are special, they are characterized by:

• rapid and high floods;
• prolonged freezing;
• very uneven flow;
• pronounced seasonality in changes in water regime and nutrition.

The names of the largest rivers of the Chukotka Peninsula are very difficult to remember - Chegitun, Ulyuveem, Igelkveem, Ioniveem. All local streams freeze in September, and are opened only by the beginning of June. Some rivers freeze to the bottom in winter.

The lake and swamp network is very developed on the peninsula. The swamps are concentrated along the channels of large rivers. On the coasts, lagoon-type lakes are common, and in the mountains - moraine. The largest reservoirs of Chukotka are lakes Koolen and Yonai. In winter, they are covered with a thick layer of ice up to two meters thick!

Flora and fauna of Chukotka

The Chukotka Peninsula is completely located within the tundra natural zone. However, one should not think that the local vegetation is sparse and monotonous. There are about 900 species of plants, over 400 species of mosses and lichens on the peninsula.

There are very few forests in Chukotka. Occasionally there are massifs of undersized birch and Daurian larch. This peninsula is characterized by tundra vegetation with alder, sedge, cranberries, blueberries and other shrubs. Mosses and lichens that grow everywhere here can be considered a peculiar floristic symbol of Chukotka.

The fauna of the peninsula is also quite diverse. Typical animals of Chukotka are reindeer, long-tailed ground squirrel, hoofed lemming, hare, wolf, sable, lynx, ermine, arctic fox. Mountainous areas are inhabited by snow sheep, as well as musk oxen - unique and the only representatives of their kind.

It is worth mentioning the avifauna of Chukotka. On the coast there are gulls, guillemots, guillemots, sandpipers, loons and even swans. A large number of fish and shrimps live in the waters of the seas. Sometimes whales swim up to the shores of Chukotka.

History of Chukotka

The earliest human settlements on the peninsula date back to 8-6 millennia BC. The unique archaeological complex "Whale Alley" (an alley of bowhead whale bones dug into the ground), on the island of Itygran, dates back to the 14th-16th centuries.

The indigenous people of this peninsula are the Chukchi. Although even earlier, more ancient peoples lived here - Onkilons, Yuits and Yukaghirs. An important role in the formation and development of the Chukchi people was played by their traditional occupation - reindeer breeding.

Russians discovered Chukotka in 1648? during the expedition of Semyon Dezhnev. Almost immediately after this, the first skirmishes began between local residents and uninvited guests from the west. For half a century, the Russian Cossacks tried to conquer and pacify the Chukchi "savages". But in vain. The Chukchi, even without having firearms at their disposal, competently and selflessly defended their land.

It was not possible to conquer the people of the Chukchi by force. Therefore, Catherine II in 1778 resorted to tricks. She granted the Chukchi broad rights and liberties, freed them from duty (yasak) and guaranteed complete independence in all their internal affairs. This policy bore fruit: already in 1788, the first trade fair was successfully held in Chukotka.

Economy and population of Chukotka

Today, about 8 thousand people live on the peninsula. About 80% of the local population of Chukotka are Chukchi. Other nationalities also live here - Eskimos, Yukaghirs, Evenks, Chuvans and Russians.

In administrative-territorial terms, the territory of the peninsula is divided into two districts - Chukotsky and Providensky. Within the first there are six villages. There are five rural settlements and one urban-type settlement of Provideniya in the Providensky district, in which about 2 thousand people live.

The industry of Chukotka is represented by mining (mainly alluvial gold) and thermal power engineering. The most developed agriculture in the region. It is represented by reindeer breeding, animal husbandry and fisheries. Two large agricultural enterprises operate on the peninsula - Zapolyarye and Caper.

Who are the Chukchi, and what we do not know about them

The Chukchi are the indigenous people of Chukotka, a small ethnic group scattered over a fairly large territory. Its total number is only 16 thousand people. About 80% of all Chukchi live within the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Characteristic anthropological features of the Chukchi: a horizontal or oblique section of the eyes, skin with a bronze tint, large facial features, a high forehead, a massive nose and large eyes.

• the Chukchi are a very warlike and cruel people;
• representatives of this nationality have an excellent sense of smell;
• the upbringing of Chukchi boys is strict and consists of a number of difficult tests (for example, from the age of five, a young Chukchi is allowed to sleep exclusively standing up);
• the Chukchi are absolutely indifferent to death;
• the Chukchi are ideal warriors, partisans and saboteurs, they brought into animal horror and instilled fear in everyone who had to fight with them;
• the basis of the diet of this people is meat, seaweed, berries, shellfish, blood and decoctions from various herbs;
• the Chukchi are skilled craftsmen in carving animal bones;
• the Soviet government desperately and productively came up with funny jokes about the Chukchi, the main goal of the "red ideologists" was this: to turn a militant and proud people into harmless and amusing folklore characters.

Heraldry of Chukotka

As a conclusion of our article, one cannot fail to mention the heraldry of the peninsula. She is very interesting, colorful and a little naive. However, the coats of arms and flags of Chukotka reflect all the specifics of this unique region.

Let's start with the flag of the Chukotka municipal district. On it we see a boat with five rowers and a hunter armed with a long spear. The boat floats against the background of the yellow sun. This panel depicts one of the main occupations of local residents - hunting for large sea animals (seals, walruses and whales).

But on the coat of arms of the same Chukotka region, a walrus is depicted (against the background of the administrative map of the region) and six deer, symbolizing another traditional occupation of the Chukchi - reindeer breeding.

No less interesting is the coat of arms of the neighboring Providensky district. On it we see images of a whale and a sea anchor. Both figures are placed on the coat of arms of the district for a reason. The whale symbolizes whaling, traditional for these regions, and the anchor reminds us that one of the most important ports of the Russian Arctic is located in Provideniya.

The position of the territory of the Far East on the border of the largest continent and the largest ocean of the Earth significantly influenced the features of the natural-territorial complexes of the region and their location. Maritime air masses arriving on land in summer are colder than the continent.

Therefore, due to the cost of heat for their heating, summer air temperatures over the coast are much lower than in the interior parts of the mainland. Sea air brings a lot of moisture, which leads to an increase in precipitation compared to inland areas.

These conditions are the main reason for the sharp shift in the Far East to the south of the boundaries of natural zones in comparison with the mainland territories.

Using the maps of the atlas, establish how far to the south in the Far East the border of the tundra and taiga zones passes in comparison with Eastern Siberia.

The physiographic zoning of the Far East is based on two factors: the structural features of the surface and the nature of the vegetation. Let us consider the most typical physiographic regions of the Far East: the Chukchi tundra highlands, the Kamchatka young tundra-wooded mountains, Sakhalin Island with coniferous-deciduous forests, the Ussuri taiga.

Chukchi highlands. The climate of the Chukchi Highlands is one of the most severe in the Far East.

Therefore, the Chukchi Plateau is a combination of plain and mountain tundra with a mountainous Arctic desert.

In the north of the Chukotka Peninsula, the mountain tundra rises no higher than 100-200 m, in the south the tundra is located much higher. Common inhabitants of the tundra are reindeer, arctic fox, lemmings and tundra partridges. A lot of waterfowl nest on the swampy lowlands. There are walrus rookeries on the coast of the Chukchi Sea, and bird colonies on the coastal cliffs.

Peninsula Kamchatka. Kamchatka is a country of natural contrasts, extraordinary originality, captivating beauty. Mountains, active and extinct volcanoes, vast valleys and lowlands, mountain and lowland rivers, cold and hot mineral springs - all this is on the peninsula.

This is one of the most remote corners of the country from the European center of Russia. About 2/3 of the area of ​​Kamchatka is occupied by mountains. This is an area of ​​young folded-volcanic mountains with tundra and wooded vegetation. Two ridges stretch along the entire peninsula - Sredinny and Vostochny, separated by the Central Kamchatka depression with the Kamchatka River flowing through it. The ridges are crowned with volcanic cones with snow caps and glaciers. From time to time Kamchatka is shaken by volcanic eruptions. There are about 30 active and more than 130 extinct volcanoes on the peninsula. One of the most active and highest volcanoes in the world is Klyuchevskaya Sopka, its height is 4750 m.

On the map in the atlas, find the active volcanoes of Kamchatka, write their names on the contour map. Remember the names.

Active volcanic activity affects many other features of nature. So, as a result of eruptions, soils periodically receive additional portions of primary minerals, which ensures their high fertility.

Volcanology is the science of forecasting volcanic eruptions. Almost all large volcanoes have special stations where, with the help of modern instruments, they monitor the temperature of the rocks, conduct a chemical analysis of gases, and listen to the crater of the volcano. In a few days, it is possible to predict the beginning of the intensification of volcanic activity and warn residents of the surrounding cities and villages.

Volcanologists are people of a dangerous profession. Sometimes they have to work on flows of lava that has not yet cooled down, descend into the crater of a volcano, be under the “fire” of red-hot stones, near red-hot lava with a temperature of about + 1300 ° C.

Climate of Kamchatka characterized by excessive humidity throughout the year. The driest and warmest place is the Central Kamchatka depression.

Explain the distribution of heat and moisture in Kamchatka by comparing the climatic and physical maps of the atlas and the textbook.

Rice. 131. Volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula

The Kamchatka Peninsula is occupied by a subzone of coniferous-birch park forests. The specificity of this subzone is the predominance of small-leaved trees (stone and Japanese birches) over conifers and the wide distribution of tall grasses.

Stone birch has a gray or reddish bark and a dense curly crown: the height of trees usually does not exceed 10 m. Due to the curvature of the trunk, stone birch is little used in construction, but mainly goes for firewood and handicrafts. However, stone birch forests play an important water and soil protection role.

Among the herbs, the silkworm, cornflower, bear's pipe and other umbrella are common.

The mountain ranges are covered with thickets of dwarf pine and shrub alder, mountain tundra, alpine meadows and the snow zone of Kamchatka glaciers are even higher.

Rice. 132. Scheme of monsoon circulation in summer and winter (arrows show wind direction, numbers show atmospheric pressure, in mb)

A very large brown bear, Kamchatka sable, squirrel, chipmunk, lynx, Kamchatka nutcracker, etc. live in cedar elfin forests. Reindeer live in mountain tundra, and snow sheep graze in alpine mountain meadows.

History reference. The first information about Kamchatka was obtained from the "fairy tales" (reports) of explorers. The honor of discovering Kamchatka belongs to Vladimir Atlasov, who made trips there in 1697-1699. Soon Kamchatka was included in Russia. He also made a drawing (map) of Kamchatka and gave its detailed description.

As a result of the First (1725-1730) and Second (1733-1743) Kamchatka expeditions led by the famous Russian navigator Vitus Bering, the separation of Asia and North America was confirmed, the Aleutian and Commander Islands were discovered, maps were drawn, and valuable material about Kamchatka was collected. S. P. Krasheninnikov took part in the Second Kamchatka Expedition, whose work “Description of the land of Kamchatka” is one of the classic works of geographical literature.

In the 19th century sailings began from St. Petersburg to Russian America with an obligatory call to Kamchatka, to Petropavlovsk. During this period, Petropavlovsk became Russia's main base in the Far East. The city is spread out on the banks of the extraordinarily beautiful Avacha Bay, a part of the Avacha Bay deeply protruding into the land. Avachinskaya, Koryakskaya and Vilyuchinskaya hills rise above it.

Sakhalin is the largest island in Russia, its area is 76,400 km 2, the length from north to south is more than 900 km, the largest width is 160 km, the smallest is 47 km.

What strait separates the island from the mainland and where is the border between Russia and Japan?

The island is mountainous, but the mountains are low - the average height is 500-800 m. The highest elevation of the island is Mount Lopatina in the East Sakhalin Mountains. Its height is 1609 m above sea level. Sakhalin is located in the seismically active zone of the Pacific Ring of Fire, with which frequent earthquakes are associated within it. The last force of 8 points occurred in 1995. In the geological structure of Sakhalin, mainly sedimentary rocks are involved, with which deposits of oil, gas, and building materials are associated.

A characteristic feature of Sakhalin's climate- high relative humidity and frequent winds. Precipitation is clearly distributed over the seasons of the year, which is explained by the dominance of monsoon circulation.

There are many short, rapid mountain rivers and mountain and valley lakes on the island. The flora and fauna of the island is poorer than on the mainland. But in the adjacent sea waters, there are species that have disappeared or are very rare on the mainland, for example, a one and a half meter sea otter and a two-meter fur seal. In the north of the island you can find deer moss, and in the extreme south - blooming magnolias.

Two thirds of the territory of Sakhalin is occupied by forests. In the north, light-coniferous taiga dominates from Daurian larch with an admixture of birch and alder; in the south - dark coniferous forests of Ayan spruce, fir with an admixture of broad-leaved species - oak, yew. Thickets of bamboo and creepers are widespread everywhere in the south.

Primorye, or Primorsky Krai, is located in the southern part of the Far East, on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan. On its territory, such European countries as Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland, taken together, could freely accommodate. The appearance of the region is characterized by numerous ridges, ridges and separate hills. Tectonically, they are quite young. Almost all the mountains of Primorye belong to the mountainous country of Sikhote-Alin.

The monsoon climate characteristic of the entire Far East in Primorye is most pronounced.

In terms of the amount of solar heat, Primorye occupies one of the first places in Russia, not inferior to the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus.

Using the maps of the textbook, determine how much solar radiation the districts of Vladivostok receive, what is the duration of the frost-free period there.

Rice. 133. Ussuri Nature Reserve

The abundance of moisture in summer contributes to the development of a powerful vegetation cover. Most of the territory of Primorye is occupied by the famous Ussuri taiga, which combines coniferous and broad-leaved species in the most bizarre way. Cedar and larch grow next to Manchurian walnut and Amur velvet. More than 250 species of trees and shrubs grow in the forests of the region. Primorye occupies one of the first places in Russia in terms of the number of endemics - plants that are common only in this area. Only here grow Amur velvet (cork tree), iron birch, etc. There are many relic plants in the region that have been preserved since the Neogene.

The fauna of Primorye is diverse and rich. The endemics include the Ussuri tiger, the leatherback turtle, the remains of the Neogene and Quaternary fauna include the spotted deer, the black Ussuri bear, the Amur goral antelope, the small graceful mandarin duck, which strikes with the beauty of its plumage, the ground thrush, etc.

Up to a hundred species of fish live in the lakes and rivers of the region. In coniferous-deciduous forests there are many midges and ticks that are harmful to humans and animals.

Stepan Petrovich Krasheninnikov (1711-1755)

Stepan Petrovich Krasheninnikov - the famous traveler, geographer, botanist, ichthyologist, ethnographer, historian and linguist - was born in Moscow on October 31 (November 11), 1711.

In August 1733, S. Krasheninnikov was included in the Kamchatka expedition, whose task was to explore and describe the little-known regions of Siberia and Kamchatka. During 1733-1736. S. P. Krasheninnikov studied the nature of Siberia, visited Tobolsk, Altai, Transbaikalia, Irkutsk, Yakutsk. From October 1737 to June 1741 Stepan Petrovich lived and worked in Kamchatka. The result of the expedition work was the publication of the work "Description of the land of Kamchatka" (1756). Scientists - geographers and historians, and writers, including A. S. Pushkin, also read it. A volcano in Kamchatka, a cape on Karaginsky Island, a cape on Novaya Zemlya bear the name of a scientist-traveler.

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky (1839-1888)

N. M. Przhevalsky is a famous Russian traveler, explorer of Central Asia. For his services he was elected an honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

He made his first trip to the Ussuri region. After that, he led five large expeditions to Central Asia (from 1870 to 1888). Przhevalsky discovered the giant Altyn-tag ridge, visited Lake Lobnor, described the sources of the Huang He and the upper reaches of the Yangtze, explored the Takla-Makan desert, discovered hundreds of species of plants and animals, including a wild horse, later named Przhevalsky's horse, Tibetan bear.

During the fifth expedition, N. M. Przhevalsky fell ill and died on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in the city of Karakol.

The expeditions of M. I. Venyukov (1858), N. M. Przhevalsky (1867-1869), V. K. Arsenyev (1906-1910) were engaged in the study of the nature of the region.

Rice. 134. Research of the Far East

Natural uniques of the Far East. Valley of Geysers.

Eastern Kamchatka is the only region in Russia with periodically spouting geysers.

Most active volcanoes are on the Eastern Volcanic Plateau, which is elevated up to 600-1000 m. Numerous geysers are confined to these volcanoes. The Valley of Geysers is the biggest landmark of Kamchatka, which was mentioned in the "Description of the Land of Kamchatka" by S. P. Krasheninnikov. For the first time, geysers were described in detail by G. I. Ustinova, an employee of the Kronotsky Reserve, in 1941. Having penetrated the river, which later became known as Geysernaya (a tributary of the Shumnaya River), she discovered several groups of geysers in a deep canyon-like gorge. Among them are Pervenets, Giant, Triple, Fountain, Zhemchuzhny, Double and others - a total of 20 geysers, 10 large pulsating springs and more than 300 small, boiling and freely flowing. The largest geyser Giant acts in a very original way. Its eruption does not last long - two minutes, but thick steam continues to rise for another 10-15 minutes, clouding the adjacent parts of the valley. In 2007, the Valley of Geysers suffered from a mudflow.

Rice. 135. Autumn in Primorsky Krai

Grand fir grove(Kamchatka) on the eastern coast of Kamchatka is part of the Kronotsky Reserve. These are unusually slender and beautiful trees, their height reaches 13 m, the diameter of the trunk is 20-25 cm, the needles contain essential oils and smell pleasant. Botanists attribute grandiose fir to ancient (pre-glacial) vegetation.

Lake Khanka- the largest in the Far East. Located at an altitude of 69 m above sea level. Its length is up to 95 km, its width is up to 65 km, the area is more than 4 thousand km 2, the average depth is about 4 m. 13 rivers flow into it. The lake is rich in fish. A relict lotus plant, a giant water lily, the leaves of which reach 2 m in diameter, and a water chestnut grow on the lake.

Lazovsky (Sudzukhinsky) Nature Reserve(area 116.5 thousand hectares) on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan, in the cedar-broad-deciduous forests of which tigers, lynxes, sables, bears, wild boars, spotted deer and red deer, pheasants and hazel grouses live. A part of the reserve is a small (about 30 ha) Petrov Island, located 1 km from the shore of Xiaohe Bay. Petrov Island is an archaeological and natural landmark of Primorye. It was inhabited several centuries ago. In the relic yew grove, some trees reach 200-300 years.

Questions and tasks

1. Indicate what are the main factors underlying the physical-geographical zoning of the Far East, and name the most typical natural complexes for it.
2. Compare the natural complexes of the northern and southern parts of the Far East.
3. Describe the natural complexes of Kamchatka.
4. What is the main difference between the natural complexes of the island parts of the Far East and the continental ones?
5. On the contour map of the region, put all the geographical objects indicated in the text, underline the names of those that are associated with the names of the researchers of the region.