GEOGRAPHY Kamchatka
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Kamchatka Territory
The edge of the distant and dreamlike.
Kamchatka — a unique natural area in the world.
Climate, geography and recreational resources of the Kamchatka Territory allow you to take tourists all year round. Thermal and mineral springs, volcanoes and glaciers, famous Geyser Valley, varied, in most places untouched by civilization, flora and fauna. All this provides a great opportunity for the development of eco-tourism, sport fishing and hunting, mountain hiking, mountaineering and rock climbing, scuba diving, trips and races on snowmobiles and dog sledding, charter flights and cruises.
In Kamchatka Krai there are 3 national parks, 19 state reserves, 169 unique natural sites and 5 natural parks. 18% of the Kamchatka Territory is classified as protected. Six specially protected natural areas included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, united under the title «Volcanoes of Kamchatka».
The main specialization of tourist and recreational complex in Kamchatka becomes environmental, sports, sea cruise, fishing, health and fitness, cultural and ethnographic tourism.
Of particular importance is the development of the sphere of leisure, especially skiing, expedition and adventure tourism.
The tourist product offered by travel companies of Kamchatka Territory, is very diverse: from a stationary rest with the sated excursion program up to exclusive tours, presented by hunting and fishing programs, horse, ornithological travel, cruises on the Avacha Bay, underwater sports. Tourist routes are prepared with regard to their cognitive value. The list of tourist opportunities in Kamchatka are:
trekking — hiking;
climbing volcanoes and mountain peaks;
rafting on mountain and plain rivers combined with sports and recreational fishing;
Extreme ski tourism, downhill from the volcano using helicopters (heli — ski) and ski tours;
diving — underwater world of the cold waters of Kamchatka not give a riot of living forms and colors diving in tropical seas;
Ecotourism — observation of nature, flora and fauna, zoological and ornithological tours, photo safari;
excursions and cruises to the Commander and Kuril Islands, overflights active volcanoes;
The region is rich in water resources: there are up to 14,000 rivers and streams, about 100,000 large and small lakes, 414 glaciers with a total area of 871.1 sq.km. On the territory of Kamchatka 30 active and 150 extinct volcanoes, 274 mineral springs, 160 of which are hot, there are 37 species of wild animals, all kinds of Pacific salmon.
Kamchatka — a paradise for anglers and hunters. Rainbow trout, all kinds of Pacific salmon (some specimens reach a weight of 15-40 kg) caught by spinning and fly fishing method.
The most coveted prey for hunters, of course, the brown bear, the largest in Eurasia. Among other equally prestigious trophies — the bighorn sheep, elk, lynx and wood grouse, goose and partridge.
In Kamchatka region are virtually all mineral medical and table waters, known in the world.
In recent years, the tourism infrastructure in the region has achieved some progress. In most picturesque places, such as the Valley of Geysers, Nalychevo Nature Park, Lake Kuril, on Khodutkinskie, Tumrokskih, Malkinsky hot springs, rivers Zhupanova and opal, in the hunting grounds and areas of sport fishings built tourist centers, campsites with full-service shelters , equipped with parking, stationary hunting camps and lodges.
Kamchatka is waiting for you!
The history of Kamchatka
Kamchatka was discovered by Russian Cossacks more than 300 years ago. The first information about the peninsula belong to the mid-17th century, when the expedition landed on the shore of Semen Dezhnev. The sailors of the expedition became the first Europeans to winter on the peninsula. After almost fifty years — in 1697prikazchik Vladimir Atlas at the head of 120 people went on a campaign — «for the mine of new lands» and laid Verhnekamchatsk. Atlas fulfill the historic mission — Kamchatka annexed to the Russian state.
In the early 18th century, Russia has become a maritime power, but the Pacific and Arctic oceans were still poorly understood. In order to clarify the north-eastern border of the state, to find unknown lands, establish trade with the countries of the East, Peter I in December 1724 issued a decree on the organization of the First Kamchatka expedition, which would deal with the study of the Pacific Ocean, and confirmed the existence of a strait between Asia and America. Head of the expedition was appointed Vitus Bering.
First Kamchatka Expedition traveled to the shores of the Pacific Ocean at the beginning of 1725. Having overcome great difficulties and hardships on the way from the shores of Neva to Kamchatka, its members in 1728 reached Nizhne-Kamchatsky prison. But only the second Kamchatka expedition headed by Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov on the packet boat «St. Peter «and» Saint. Paul «6 October (17 October) in 1740 went to the Avacha Bay. In honor of the expedition ships this bay was named Peter and Paul harbor.
It is a part of the expedition Academician Stepan Krasheninnikov next four years explored the peninsula. From Bolsheretsk, where he settled, the scientist made several expeditions to the edge, which lasted 5-7 months. Several times he crossed the peninsula in different directions, getting acquainted with the history and geography of this region. On the basis of the travel notes he made major scientific work «Description of Kamchatka Land», the value of which has not lost over time. This book has been read Pushkin and, apparently, made a considerable impression on him. Alexander was a fairly extensive «reading notes» Description of Kamchatka Land «Krasheninnikov» — the last and unfinished literary work of the poet.
In the 19th century it was visited by many explorers, travelers and researchers who continued the works Krasheninnikov. Among them — navigators Kruzenshtern, Golovnin, Litke, Kotzebue, geologists and geographers Erman,
Dietmar, Bogdanovic, historians Sgibnev Margarita, Komarov and many others.
Start the administrative-territorial transformations Kamchatka Territory refers to the first half of the XVIII century. In 1708-1710 gg. Russia’s Peter I the provincial reform was carried out. Decree of 12/18/1708, it was created eight provinces, each of which is incorporated already established by the time counties. The entire Northeast Asia, including Kamchatka, was a member of the Yakutia County, which, in turn, was part of the Siberian province. Several times Kamchatka changed its administrative status, while in 2007, the Kamchatka region was not created, uniting the Koryak Autonomous Okrug and Kamchatka region.
