There are many interesting places in the world thatPopular with lovers of natural attractions. Shikotan Island attracts lovers of eco-tourism with its unique topography and variety of bioresources. There are no volcanoes and aggressive predators are not found. The mild climate and rather flat terrain (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 toSecond Kamchatka Expedition, which took place in 1733-1743. Its first name - Figured, it very accurately reflects the characteristic rugged line of the coast. Subsequently, this small area of land began to bear the name of its discoverer - the Russian navigator M. P. Shpanberg. Today, it is better known as Shikotan Island, which translated from the local language means "the best place."
Given the favorable strategic position of thisterritory, the "struggle" for it is between two countries: Russia and Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has been trying to return the Kuril Islands for more than half a century. Shikotan Island already belonged to her from 1885 to 1945. Another major historical landmark is the earthquake of 1999, after which a large number of local people left this land. Today the situation is regulated.
Geographical position
In the North Pacific there is a smallarchipelago - the Kuril Islands. Shikotan Island is located in one of two parallel ridges (Minor), constituting a given geographical feature. 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 administrativeThe region, which is located on the islands, is the Sakhalin region. Shikotan Island is included in the South Kuril District of this administrative unit and has an area of 182 square meters. km The length of this small section of land in length is about 28 kilometers, and a little more than 9 kilometers wide.
Bays
The map of Shikotan Island clearly shows how often the coastline is cut up. Therefore, among the attractions for which it is known, numerous bays are distinguished into a separate group:
- Malokurilskaya. It is considered the most "convenient", as the sloping shore allows ships to moor directly at the pier. Here lush taiga vegetation is common, which is typical for this region.
- Dolphin. This bay is named for the vessel of the same name,where at the beginning of the 20th century, research was conducted on this territory. 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 during the winter months is icebound, which distinguishes it from the others.
- Crab. Here, as in other coastal areasIslands, mining of Far Eastern crabs and saury is underway. 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 - “Aivazovsky Bay”.
Capes
Numerous cusps of sushi are also unique attractions that characterize the island as one of the most scenic. It:
- Cape Land of Light. This is the most popular place among the guests 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. Reviews of eyewitnesses, who managed to visit the edge of a cliff, indicate that such a frightening name is fully justified. From here there is a beautiful view of the expanses of water of the largest ocean on Earth. Interestingly, many confuse the name of the cape and the island and believe that the Land of the World is the name of the latter.
- Cape Voloshin. This is a very picturesque cliff composed of rockyrocks. It was named after the Russian watercolorist artist, who at the beginning of the 20th century created a shelter for creative people in crisis life situations. Kuriles are today a place of pilgrimage for famous “masters of the brush”, who draw inspiration from a unique source of natural beauty.
Flora
The island is famous for its 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 hallmark of local landscapes. They are located closer to the shore, with the exception of the eastern part of the island.
- Local bamboo (Kuril) and yew are found in numerous undergrowths that are concentrated near streams.
- The tea that grows on the island enjoyspopular with travelers and local people. Its infusion is used for the recovery of 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 also typically “southern” specimens, such as acacia, grapes and liana.
- Poisonous treeIt is a shrub with very fleshy leafy plates. 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
Shikotan Island differs from its "neighbors" by a large variety of fauna:
- Birds.Many feathered representatives of the animal world, such as eagles and swans, winter there. Birds such as the sandpiper, the sea lad, and others, stop on the island to rest during seasonal migrations.
- Animals Here there are animals that belong to protected categories: sea otters, seals (anthur, sea lions and larks), wild horses.
- Salmon and kunja inhabit the numerous streams of the island.
Conclusion
В будущем остров Шикотан может стать одним из unique centers specializing in marine diving. In the plans of the local tourism industry, the creation of special objects for fans of underwater sports, as there are all the conditions for the implementation of such projects.
