There are many interesting places in the world that are popular with lovers of natural attractions. Shikotan Island attracts lovers of eco-tourism with its unique relief and a variety of biological resources. There are no volcanoes and no aggressive predators. The mild climate and fairly even relief (the highest point is 405 meters) create favorable conditions for visiting the island in any season.
History
The world learned about this wonderful island thanks to the Second Kamchatka Expedition, which took place in 1733-1743. Its first name is Figured, it very accurately reflects the characteristic rugged coastline. Subsequently, this small piece of land began to bear the name of its discoverer, the Russian navigator M.P. Spanberg. Today it is better known as the island of Shikotan, which in translation from the local language means "the best place."
Given the advantageous strategic position of this territory, the “struggle” for it is waged between two countries: Russia and Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has been trying to recover the Kuril Islands for more than half a century . Shikotan Island already belonged to it from 1885 to 1945. Another important historical milestone is the strong earthquake of 1999, after which a large number of local people left these lands. To date, the situation is regulated.
Geographical position
In the North Pacific there is a small archipelago - the Kuril Islands. Shikotan Island is located in one of two parallel ridges (Malaya) that make up this geographical object. It is considered the largest and has coordinates of 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 Oblast. Shikotan Island is part of the South Kuril District of this administrative unit and has an area of 182 square meters. km The length of this small piece of land is about 28 kilometers long and a little over 9 kilometers wide.
Bays
A map of the island of Shikotan clearly shows how often the coastline is indented. Therefore, among the attractions for which it is famous, numerous bays are distinguished as a separate group:
- Malokurilskaya . It is considered the most “convenient”, since the gentle coast allows the ships to moor directly at the pier. Lush taiga vegetation, which is characteristic of this region, is widespread here.
- Dolphin This bay is named after the ship of the same name, on which research of this territory was conducted at the beginning of the 20th century. It is famous for dangerous stones blocking the entrance of ships, and a picturesque lagoon formed at the mouth of the Ostrovnaya River. The bay is icebound in the winter months, which sets it apart from the rest.
- Crab Here, as in other coastal areas of the island, the Far Eastern crabs and saury are 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 sea landscapes. The proof of this is its other name - “Aivazovsky Bay”.
Capes
Numerous sharp sushi ledges are also unique attractions that characterize the island as one of the most picturesque. It:
- Cape End of the World . This is the most popular place for guests of the island, which sharply ends with a steep and rocky cliff 40 meters high. This cape is visited by all tourists arriving at Shikotan. Reviews 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 expanses of the largest ocean on Earth. It is interesting that many confuse the name of the cape and the island and believe that the End of the World is the name of the latter.
- Cape Voloshin . This is a very picturesque cliff, composed of rocky rocks. It was named after the Russian watercolorist - an artist who, at the beginning of the 20th century, created a shelter for creative people in crisis situations. The Kuril Islands today are a place of pilgrimage for the 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.
- Unique stone-birch forests are also a hallmark of local landscapes. They are located closer to the coast, with the exception of only the eastern part of the island.
- Local bamboo (Kurilsky) and yew are found in numerous undergrowths, which are concentrated near streams.
- Tea that grows on the island is popular with travelers and the local population. His infusion is used to improve the health of the body, and it is included in the menu card of all nutrition points.
- Along with the vegetation characteristic of the northern regions, there are also typical “southern” specimens, such as acacia, grapes and liana.
- Poison tree. This is a shrub with very fleshy leaf blades. Contact with any part of this plant can cause an immediate skin reaction - a burn. But it should be noted that this plant can be dangerous only in a very short time.
Fauna
The island of Shikotan differs from its "neighbors" in a large variety of fauna:
- Birds. Many feathered representatives of the animal world winter here, for example, eagles and swans. Birds such as sandpiper, sea-eagle, etc., stop on the island to relax during seasonal migrations.
- Animals. Here there are animals that belong to protected categories: sea otters, seals (Anthur, Steller sea lions and larges), wild horses.
- Numerous streams of the island are inhabited by salmon and kunja.
Conclusion
In the future, Shikotan Island may become one of the unique centers specializing in sea diving. The local tourism industry plans to create special facilities for lovers of underwater sports, as there are all conditions for the implementation of such projects.