Sakhalin has not always been separated from the mainland. At the dawn of civilization, the water level in the world's oceans steadily decreased, as a result of which so-called "bridges" arose in the strait. Presumably, it was along them that the first people moved here (about 300 thousand years ago). In the Middle Ages, the main inhabitants of Sakhalin were the Nivkhs and Ainu - small peoples who constantly migrated between the island and the Asian part of the mainland. Later, Tungus-speaking tribes were added to them. The very name "Sakhalin" appeared due to a geographical error. Due to an oversight, the Manchu name of the Amur River - Sakhalyan-Ulla - was correlated with the territory of the island. By the way, the literal translation of the word is “Rocks of the Black River”.
Until about the 50s of the 19th century, China ruled Sakhalin Island. At the same time, officially the territory did not belong to the Celestial Empire. In 1855, the governments of Japan and Russia signed the Treaty of Shimoda, according to which both states declared Sakhalin joint possession. However, after 20 years, Russia annexed the island, paying for it with Japan with the northern Kuriles. However, the joy of expanding possessions was short-lived. After losing in the Russian-Japanese campaign, the southern part of the island again went to Strana rising sun. It was possible to finally decide the fate of Sakhalin only after the Second World War, when Russia completely regained the island, and with it the previously lost Kuriles.
Economy and population
A little less than 500 thousand people live on Sakhalin, about 200 thousand of which are residents of the regional center, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The vast majority of the population is Russian, although among the local inhabitants you can meet both Koreans and people from the former Soviet republics. But there are very few representatives of indigenous peoples here: only 1% of the total.
The economy of the region is unevenly developed, which is why the standard of living of the population in different parts of Sakhalin differs. For example, the northern part of the island, including Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, exists due to oil production, while the remote and western regions, where production stopped during the collapse of the Soviet Union, are literally forced to struggle for existence. Ultimately, unemployment and a low standard of living led to the fact that most of the inhabitants of the Sakhalin periphery turned to poachers. Illegal shooting of wild animals, extraction of red caviar by barbaric methods are slowly but surely causing irreparable damage to the nature of the great island...
Climate and nature
Going on a trip to Sakhalin, it is better to prepare in advance for weather surprises. Since the climate of the island is temperate monsoon, the weather here is not stable. Local snowy and frosty winters are actively "helped" by atmospheric whirlwinds, bringing strong snowstorms with them. Spring here is long and cold, but summer is relatively warm, but short and often rainy. Another weather problem on Sakhalin is frequent and unpredictable cyclones, bringing with them devastating typhoons and floods.
Sakhalin is an island with a unique ecosystem that was formed in a certain isolation. The terrain is formed by small mountains, low mountains and, to a lesser extent, low-lying plains, while 2/3 of the territory is occupied by taiga. By the way, there is no shortage of fresh water on Sakhalin: 17 rivers and over 16 thousand lakes provide animals and animals with an abundance of life-giving moisture. vegetable world islands. Despite the fact that the flora and fauna of Sakhalin is somewhat poorer compared to the mainland or the nearest Japanese island of Hokkaido, it has something to surprise wildlife lovers. About 136 species of animals and almost 133 species of local plants are listed in the Red Book. In addition, here you can meet endemic (growing or living only in a specific place) representatives of the animal and plant world.
Sakhalin has become a true paradise for fans of fishing and hunting. The abundance of fish and game in local forests and reservoirs is difficult to describe in words. The Sakhalin taiga is also rich in mushrooms and berries. To collect a tasty "tribute", it is not necessary to delve into the impenetrable jungle. Lingonberries, blueberries, cranberries, redberries can be found here almost under every bush. However, it is not entirely reasonable to go to the other side of the country solely for the gifts of the forest, especially since the natural resources of the island are not limited to berries and fishing spots. There are also thermal springs, bathing in which can get rid of chronic diseases, and fabulous caves filled with stalactite crystals, and sites of ancient people. True, it is worth noting that most of the local entertainment is suitable for those who are easy-going and ready to show at least minimal physical activity. Rafting, windsurfing, skiing skiing and snowboarding, kayaking, climbing and paragliding, descending into mountain caves and unforgettable bike rides - this is not a complete list of activities that Sakhalin is ready to offer to supporters of an active lifestyle.
Sights of Sakhalin
The main and most valuable attraction of Sakhalin is its amazing nature. It is customary to come here not for high-quality European service and glossy sights, but for a delightful atmosphere of complete unity with nature, outdoor activities and an amazing feeling of complete freedom.
reserves
The most convenient and correct way to get acquainted with wildlife Sakhalin Islands are local reserves, the most interesting of which is the Vostochny State Nature Reserve. You can get here only with a special permit issued by the Department of Forests, but the red tape with a pass is more than paid off by the impressions of the visit. It is here that you can meet such a rare phenomenon for the island as dark coniferous taiga, see how pink salmon, chum salmon and coho salmon spawn and take pictures of clumsy sea lions resting on coastal rocks. To get acquainted with the Sakhalin wild grouse and reindeer, it is better to go to the "Nogliksky" reserve. In autumn, reindeer races are held here, so if your visit to the island coincided with the autumn season, do not miss the opportunity to visit this unusual event. Well, the most interesting thing to watch bird "bazaars" is in the Poronaisky nature reserve, which occupies the eastern part of Sakhalin and the Patience Peninsula.
Volcanoes
Infernal vents filled with lava splashing in all directions are not about Sakhalin volcanoes. Here, craters spew out… land mixed with water. The Pugachevsky and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk mud volcanoes even look non-trivial. Regular circles, devoid of vegetation and dotted with miniature "pores" of craters, resemble space landscapes from a fantasy blockbuster. By the way, the last major ejection from the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk volcano occurred in 2011, as a result of which a new mud field formed in its vicinity.
thermal springs
Sakhalin nature not only pleases the eye, but also heals the body. If you find yourself on the island, be sure to swim in the Sinegorsk mineral springs, because water with such a unique composition is found only in Sakhalin and Adler. Today, there are 4 mineral wells in the Sinegorskoye deposit, the water from which is used for drinking, as well as for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.
In the northeast of Sakhalin Island, in the Nogliki district, there is another unusual place- Dagin thermal springs, which are funnel-shaped depressions in silty soil. Healing water with a high content of alkali, as well as silicic acid and a temperature of up to +40 ... +45 ° C, helps in the treatment of infertility and joint diseases. Once on the adjacent territory there was a balneary, but then the place gradually fell into disrepair. Today about former glory natural resort resembles only a modest dressing house. However, this did not make the springs less healing, and the place is still popular with both the local population and tourists.
lakes
One of the largest lakes on Sakhalin Island is Tunaicha. Located in the vicinity of the village of Okhotskoye, this beautiful reservoir is famous for the fact that about 29 species of fish live in it. In addition, it is in Tunaichu that the Sakhalin salmon comes to spawn. Officially, industrial fishing is prohibited here, but from August to September, amateurs are allowed to sit on the shores of the lake with a fishing rod.
Those who like more secluded places should book a tour to the South Reed Range, where the fabulous lakes of Mount Spamberg are lost on a picturesque plateau. 18 of the purest reservoirs, born as a result of rock falls, have their own, partially isolated ecosystem. The plateau is also known for the fact that numerous springs and waterfalls originate from here. Sakhalin region. Here you can also find main waterfall islands - Shuisky.
caves
Sakhalin is one of the most successful places for beginner speleologists. Acquaintance with local caves should be started from Mount Wajda. Fantastic multi-level dungeons, decorated with bizarre sinter formations, abound here. Tangled network of wells underground passages and Vaida halls are assigned an average level of difficulty, so during the caving tour you will hardly have to complain about the mediocrity and monotony of the excursion. A trip to the cave of "Bear Tragedies" will bring no less impressions. The gloomy stone hall, which has become a kind of cemetery of bear remains, will remain in your memory for a long time. Once upon a time, during archaeological excavations, objects of an ancient cult, as well as tools of labor of the first people, were found here.
Moneron Island is located 43 km from Sakhalin, in the Tatar Strait. Today these lands are empty, although the first settlers appeared here in the first millennium BC. For some time, the island belonged to the Japanese, who seriously deteriorated its ecology, destroying most of the coniferous forests. A reminder of this era is the lighthouse, which remained here in memory of the Japanese colonization. Today Moneron has the status natural park and is frequently visited by travelers. About 37 species of plants listed in the Red Book grow on the island, but Moneron is better known among tourists as a place of bird "bazaars", as well as rookeries of sea lions and seals.
Hunters and fishermen
At the disposal of tourists who come to Sakhalin to sit with a fishing rod and shoot local game, there are several recreation centers at once. As a rule, these are hotel-type houses, located in especially picturesque and at the same time inaccessible places on the island. You often have to use special equipment to get to them, but for real adventurers this is by no means an obstacle. "Upper", "Moguchi", "Lower" - each of the bases offers a similar range of services, including fishing, hunting, a Russian bath and other "brutal" pleasures. You can also get hold of hunting trophies in special farms. For example, the hunting tribal economy "Geeva" in the village. Nogliki invites his guests to "go" for a bear or an elk. 50 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is the Okhotsk farm, where anyone can shoot at hares and ducks, as well as try to catch chum salmon, pink salmon or taimen.
Skiers
On the outskirts of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the main ski slope of the island is located - the tourist complex "Mountain Air". You can relax here with the whole family and at any time of the year, however, the base gathers the maximum number of guests during the winter months. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing - for each sport there is a kind of equipped tracks total length about 10 km. On the territory of the complex there is a rental of sports equipment, in addition, all the slopes of the camp site are equipped with special lifts. In summer it is customary to come here to paragliding or rent a bike to explore the surroundings.
Remnant Frog on Sakhalin IslandMineral springs, volcanoes, ski slopes - all this is certainly interesting, but not entirely original. If you are one of those who crave unusual sights, welcome to the Krasnogorsk yew forest. Such a green massif, entirely consisting of century-old yews, is not found in any other corner of the planet. You can get a lot of positive emotions and as many spectacular photos on Tyuleniy Island, where the largest rookery of marine mammals is located. Fans of anomalous places, covered with mystical legends, should look into the remnant of the Frog. Well, you can taste the delicious gifts of Sakhalin nature at Uspenovskie cranberries. A vast treeless space, completely covered with a berry carpet, will appear in your dreams for a long time to come.
Museums
Despite the fact that Sakhalin is considered to be the land of nature tourism, some cultural entertainment is also available here. Art connoisseurs will be interested in visiting the exposition of the art museum, which is located on Lenin Street in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. You can get acquainted with the history, as well as the flora and fauna of the island in the local history museum, located in a colorful Japanese house on Communist Avenue. If you are traveling with children, be sure to take the time to visit the zoobotanical park, where you can see rare and endangered species of local animals. An interesting and informative excursion is offered to its guests by the Museum of the History of the Sakhalin Railway, which contains the rarest examples of railway equipment.
How to get there
You can get to Sakhalin relatively quickly and comfortably by plane. The Russian company Aeroflot operates several direct flights from Moscow to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. A standard flight usually takes from 8 to 9 hours. An option for those who are not looking for an easy way is the Vanino-Kholmsk ferry crossing. To get to the port of Vanino ( Khabarovsk region), you must purchase a train ticket on the route: Moscow-Khabarovsk or Moscow-Vladivostok in advance (the trip lasts from 5 to 6 days). reach from railway station Khabarovsk to Vanino is better by taxi. The final stage of the journey is boarding the ferry and a 14-hour voyage through the Tatarsky Strait.
And 141° and 145° East. The island is stretched from north to south for 850 km. The width of the island is maximum 183 kilometers and minimum 24 km.
The nearest distance from the island to the mainland is near the mouth, between Capes Lazarev and Pogobi. Here between the lands 7 km. The southern end of Sakhalin departs from the coast of the mainland at a distance of about 300 km. If you count in parallel. The smallest width of the La Perouse Strait, which separates Sakhalin from Iesso, is about 40 km. Between Sakhalin and the mainland is located, the continuation of which is, which received in its narrowest part, near the mouth of the Amur River, the name of the Nevelskoy Strait. The width of the strait coincides with its depth. From Cape to Cape Mary, the depths are so insignificant that three famous navigators: La Perouse and Broughton tried to penetrate this strait from to. They came to the conclusion that Sakhalin is a peninsula. Subsequently, the fairway was found by Nevelskoye, but it turned out to be passable only for ships with a draft of no deeper than 23 feet (1 foot = 30.5 cm). To the south of Cape Lazarev, the depths increase rapidly.
The water in the North is warmer than in Okhotsk. Which by its properties approaches the polar seas. The main reason for the low Sea of Okhotsk is the masses of ice that originated in the Gizhiginskaya and Peyzhinskaya bays. The ice stays near the northern end of Sakhalin almost all summer long. These ices are carried by the fast Sakhalin current, washing the northern part of the island and the northern half of its eastern coast, to the latitudes of middle Sakhalin. The influence of low temperatures in the Sea of Okhotsk does not extend to the North Japan Sea, as this is prevented by Sakhalin. In addition, the current from the Amur blocks the access of ice from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Tatar and La Perouse Straits. Through these, only the surface layers of both seas are connected, does not contribute to cooling Sea of Japan also for the reason that warm Japanese is suitable for it. One branch of the current turns into the Sea of Okhotsk, and the other rises along the western coast of Sakhalin and has a beneficial effect on this part of the island.
The physical properties of the seas surrounding Sakhalin determine the difference in the climates of different parts of the island. Its northern part, coming close to the mainland, is climatically influenced by it. Strong cooling during the winter, when the Nevelskoy Strait freezes completely, causes strong northerly and northwesterly winds on Sakhalin.
Under the influence of winds, winters in the northern part of the island are distinguished by continental severity. Freezing of mercury is a common occurrence here. In summer, in the northern part of the island, blowing from the cold Sea of \u200b\u200bOkhotsk prevails, which greatly lower the temperature in summer. Thus, climatically, Northern and Middle Sakhalin are placed in unfavorable conditions: these parts of the island have severe continental winters and cold seaside summers. Winter in the northern part average temperature approaching winter coast in or southern part of the island. Summer is like the summer of the coast, although the northern end of Sakhalin is approximately at the latitude of Simbirsk. At the mouth of the Tym, on the eastern coast of the island and in Due, almost at the latitude of Saratov, it occurs. The further south from Douai, the milder the climate becomes. It takes on a marine character. The difference in climate between the western shores of the island and the opposite coast of the mainland is growing. The difference lies in the fact that the winter cold on Sakhalin is less significant than at the corresponding latitude of the coast of Eastern Siberia. Winter and summer in the southern part of the island resemble the same seasons of the Arkhangelsk and Olonets regions in terms of average temperature. Despite the fact that the southern end of Sakhalin is at the latitude of Odessa and Astrakhan. In addition to the low temperature of winter and summer, Sakhalin is also distinguished by the fact that spring is much colder than autumn. This happens even inside the island, but especially in its south.
Despite the insignificant width of Sakhalin, there is a big difference in the climate of its eastern and western shores. This is precisely the different influence of the seas washing the island. On the eastern coast, washed by the cold, where even in June there are floating ice, at the latitude of the mouth of the Tym River, the climate is much more severe. Winter and summer are colder here than at the corresponding latitude of the western coast. This is because the influence of the cold Sea of Okhotsk, due to the mountainous nature of the island and the meridional location of the ridges that hold back the winds, is not transmitted to the western coast.
Sakhalin Island (photo by Vladislav Petrushko)
Throughout Sakhalin it is very significant. Winter is characterized by an abundance of snow, and summer by frequent rains. The thickness reaches two meters. In Kusunnai, up to 150 rainy days are observed during the year, of which 60 are rainy and 90 are snowy. Frequent in summer, more on the east than on the west coast. The surface of Sakhalin is almost entirely mountainous, and only between the ridges are lowlands, through which quite major rivers. The western coast from the southern tip of Cape Crillon consists of an almost solid stone wall. It rises in places up to 100, 200 feet. There is not a single significant bay here, and there are no islands either. The exception is Monneron Island, which lies near the southern end of Sakhalin. The western coast remains in this way until Cape Wanda, located opposite the De-Kastri Bay. To the north of this cape stretches a flat sandy shore, stretching along the entire Amur estuary. In the Sea of Okhotsk, near the northern tip of Sakhalin, the coast becomes mountainous again. A similar alternation of steep and flat banks is observed on the eastern coast. This is observed at approximately the same latitudes. There are two bays here: Nyisky and Patience Bay.
In those places where the coast is low, there are many lakes, separated from the sea by low isthmuses and connected to it by channels. These channels, as well as the mouths big rivers, are the only places where small boats can moor to the shore.
From Japanese, this area is translated as "the land of the god of the mouth", the Manchu language calls it "Sakhalyan-ulla". Initially, Sakhalin was identified on maps as a peninsula, but subsequent expeditions provided a lot of evidence in favor of the opinion that Sakhalin is still an island.
The harsh lands of Sakhalin are located east of the Asian coast. The island is the largest Russian Federation and is a neighbor of the Kuril Islands. A traveler who has visited these places remains deeply impressed for a long time. Natural monuments are the main treasure of the island.
Description and location of the island
The cold waters of the Sea of Okhotsk wash the territory of Sakhalin, warm waters are taken from the Japanese and Pacific Oceans. Treason, La Perouse and Soviet are the only border with the state of Japan. The distance from Sakhalin to the mainland is completely occupied by water.
The area of Sakhalin is 87 thousand square kilometers. This figure includes the islands of Tyuleniy, Ush, Moneron, the Kuril ridge with the Kuril archipelago.
From the extreme southern point of the island to the northern one, there are 950 km. The entire area of Sakhalin looks like a scaly fish (from the height of the ISS flight), where the scales are a lot of rivers and lakes scattered across the island.
Separates Sakhalin and the mainland. There are two capes in the strait, the width between which is about seven kilometers. For the most part, the coast is flat with numerous mouths of rivers that flow into the seas.
Story
The historical background of the island begins with the Early Paleolithic, about three hundred thousand years ago.
Today, more than 10,000 kilometers separate the Sakhalin area from the Russian capital. The plane flies through seven time zones before reaching the airport largest city- Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Russian travelers in the 17th century often became pioneers, discovering new lands of their vast country. In the 50s of the 19th century, an expedition led by Nevelsky finally proved the Japanese theory that Sakhalin was an island formation. At the same time, the island was inhabited by peasants, and became the border point of Russia and Japan, so military posts were placed throughout the territory. The next 30 years turned this place into a colony where exiles were sent.
Treaties between Russia and Japan had a great impact on the study of the Sakhalin land. For ninety years, the Russian-Japanese border has changed four times. Due to the armed intervention by the Japanese in 1920, the entire area of Sakhalin was occupied. The troops were withdrawn only in 1925, and seven years later the island became part of the Far East, as the Sakhalin region.
Wandering from one country to another, the Kuriles finally returned to the Soviet Union after the Second World War. The modern border of the region was formed in 1947.
The capital of Sakhalin is the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, which was formed by settlers at the end of the 19th century.
Tourism on Sakhalin
Geography of Sakhalin and Kuril Islands- a treasure trove of the Far East. Until now, the development of island attractions continues. The development of tourism, according to the authorities, should bring the economy of the region to a qualitatively new level development. About 60 travel companies operate on the island, and most of the tourists are from neighboring Japan. They are attracted by the variety of not only natural, but also historical monuments. The authorities of the island also monitor the Japanese heritage left over from the occupation.
IN last years ecotourism began to actively develop on Sakhalin. But taking into account the fact that the Japanese are more focused on comfortable conditions of stay, travel companies are limited to field trips, and hotels and hotels are increasingly improving the services provided. Almost all hotels have a menu with oriental dishes (including Japanese).
A program of hikes to Chekhov Peak is being implemented. The territories are being improved more and more, including the construction of a tourist complex in the village of Goryachiye Klyuchi and the Aquamarine tourist center. A project is being prepared for the construction of complexes near thermal mineral springs.
Of the sights, one can single out: the incredible beauty of the Bird's Lake; the partially destroyed Devil's Bridge; the largest waterfall on the island of Kunashir - Ptichy; active volcanoes Kuriles - Golovnin, Tyatya; lighthouse at Cape Aniva; the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk covered with white rocks; picturesque lake Tunaicha; Treasury of the nature of the Kuril Islands - Iturup Island; northern hot springs of the island; formation on the rocks Kunashir - Cape Stolbchaty; the southern point of the island is Cape Crillon; most beautiful waterfall on Russian territory - Ilya Muromets.
Population of Sakhalin
It has about 500 thousand multinationals, the population consists of Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Koreans, Mordovians, Tatars, as well as indigenous people.
Includes several nationalities: Nivkhs, Tonchis, Evenks, Ainu, Nanai, Uilta. These are the inhabitants of these lands who lived on them before the establishment of modern borders. Indigenous peoples, unfortunately, are very few in number. However, they are still engaged in the development of their national economy and lead a national life.
Flora
Diversity among the flora and fauna of Sakhalin is not observed. Compared with Japanese islands, the territory of the Sakhalin region is quite poor in terms of the number of representatives of the flora and fauna.
F. Schmidt began to study the flora of the island in the middle of the 19th century. On this moment There are about 1,500 species of plants on Sakhalin that have vessels for carrying water, dissolved mineral salts and other organic elements (vascular).
About seventy percent of Sakhalin is occupied by forests, despite the environmental problem of deforestation and annual fires, the north of the island is still occupied by coniferous trees. This area is considered dark coniferous taiga. New trees grow very slowly due to lack of sunlight. In order for a young tree to receive a good dose of sun, it has to wait until one of the old representatives of the forest falls and brings light into the dark taiga shroud.
There are, of course, light coniferous forests, but their representatives are mainly larches, which are not very common on the island. Why is this happening? The special soil is to blame for everything, under which clay layers are located. They do not allow water to pass through and, accordingly, do not allow trees to develop and grow well. And a very small part of the forest area is occupied by deciduous forests.
Sakhalin forests are rich in wild rosemary, which forms serious thickets and swamps. Of the berries, blueberries and cranberries are common here, and cloudberries grow in the swamps. There are many perennial herbs and shrubs.
Fauna
Allows forty-four species of mammals to live on the island. Bears, reindeer, otters, wolverines, raccoon dogs and a large number of rodents, about 370 different types of birds, of which 10 are predators.
During the period of development of the island, a large amount of flora and fauna was destroyed by man, therefore, a rather long list of endangered animals and plants of Sakhalin has been included in the Red Book.
Industry
The Sakhalin industry is developing at a fairly rapid pace, it included the oil and gas production, coal, fishing and energy industries. Of course, the advantage for many years remains oil and gas production. Thanks to the developments of Sakhalin scientists, Russia entered the list of leading countries in the export of liquefied natural gas. Sakhalin provides gas to Japan, Thailand, Korea, Mexico and China.
The development of shelf deposits made it possible to improve the condition of roads, residential premises, and so on in terms of money. For the constant growth of the region's economy, work is underway to attract continuous investment in existing projects.
Climate of Sakhalin
The climatic conditions of the island are moderate monsoons, due to the direct proximity to the water. Winter here is quite snowy and long, and summer is cold. For example, January weather has strong northern winds and frost. Quite often you can get into a snowstorm. Snow avalanches are also not uncommon here, sometimes the winter wind reaches an incredible speed of hurricane force. In winter, the temperature drops to -40 degrees, and adjusted for the wind, even lower.
Summer on Sakhalin is short - from mid-June to early September with temperatures from 10 to 19 degrees above zero. It's rainy enough Pacific Ocean brings high humidity.
The warm current of the Sea of Japan flows in the southwest, and East Coast washes the Sea of Okhotsk with a cold current. By the way, it is the Sea of Okhotsk that dooms Sakhalin to cold spring weather. The snow usually doesn't melt until May. But there were also record highs of +35 degrees. In general, each season here comes with a three-week delay. Therefore, in August, the warmest days, and in February - the coldest.
The summer season brings floods to the island. In the 80s, Sakhalin suffered from a powerful typhoon. He left more than 4,000 people homeless. And in 1970, a typhoon poured more than a month's rainfall in a few hours. A fifteen-year-old typhoon brought mudslides and landslides. Usually such weather conditions come from the Pacific Ocean.
Geography and geology
The geographical relief of Sakhalin Island is determined by mountains of medium and low height, as well as flat areas. The West Sakhalin and East Sakhalin mountain systems are located in the south and in the center of the island. The north is represented by a hilly plain. The coast is marked by four peninsular points and two large bays.
The relief of the island consists of eleven areas: the Schmidt Peninsula is a land with a steep rocky coast and mountainous terrain; the plain of northern Sakhalin is a territorial area with hills and many river networks, it is here that the main oil and gas fields are located; mountains of the western part of Sakhalin; lowland Tym-Poronayskaya - located in the center of the island, its main part is swampy; Susunai lowland - located in the south and most of all populated by people; the eponymous ridge - Susunaisky, which includes the famous Chekhov and Pushkinsky peaks; mountains of eastern Sakhalin with the highest point - Mount Lopatin; peninsula of Patience with its lowlands; plateau Korsakovskoe; lowland Muravyovskaya, consisting of numerous lakes, popular among local residents; the Tonino-Anivsky ridge is famous for the Kruzenshtern mountain and its deposits of the Jurassic period.
Minerals
First place among natural resources Sakhalin Islands are biological, moreover, this niche brings the region to the first place in the Russian Federation. The island is rich in hydrocarbon reserves and coal deposits. In addition, Sakhalin produces a large amount of wood, gold, mercury, platinum, chromium, germanium and talc.
How to get to the mainland?
The distance from Sakhalin to the mainland of Russia can be overcome in several ways: by plane (for example, from the nearest city of Khabarovsk), by ferry from Vanino, and for extreme people in winter, you can overcome the water part on foot on frozen ice.
Considered the narrowest point between the mainland and the island, its width is about seven kilometers.
However, the island has interesting story frozen construction of the railway, begun under Stalin. Moreover, the trains had to pass through special tunnels through the already mentioned Cape Nevelskoy and Cape Lazarev. The construction of railway lines was carried out by convicts from Gulag prisons. Work progressed at a rapid pace, but the death of the leader completely stopped the project. Many prisoners were amnestied.
Surprisingly, not a single bridge has been built in all the past years. Therefore, modern developments begin precisely with the intentions of constructing bridge crossings. Moreover, Russia intends to connect Sakhalin with Japan for more fruitful cooperation between the regions.
Sakhalin is the most large island Russia, resting among the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.
With the very name of the island there was an embarrassment. The Japanese called it Karafuto, reproducing in its own way the name given to the island by its indigenous population - the Ainu. But the toponym "Sakhalin" appeared as a result of an error of unlucky cartographers. Since the travels of La Perouse, it has been believed that Sakhalin is a peninsula.
In the middle of the 19th century, the captain of the Baikal ship, G. Nevelsky, was able to go around Sakhalin. Naturally, it became necessary to make changes to existing geographic Maps which the cartographers did. They carefully copied the shape of the island and indicated its coordinates. And then - either the cartographer was busy and entrusted the matter to the student, or his glasses were with lower diopters than necessary, but what happened happened. Cartographers mistakenly took the autochthonous name of the Amur River - Sakhalyan Ulla, indicated in the previous map, for the name of the new island. So Sakhalin became Sakhalin. The name has taken root, and now even conservative Japanese are beginning to forget the former toponym "Karafuto".
Interesting! By the way, Sakhalin was discovered many times. The expeditions of Poyarkov, Kruzenshtern, Khvostov, Davydov and Laperouse went to him. All expeditions searched and found something of their own. La Perouse, for example, was looking for evidence of the existence of the legendary Tartaria. Therefore, he called the strait he discovered Tartar. Subsequently, "Tartar" turned into "Tatar". This can mislead an unprepared tourist, so it is worth clarifying that the Tatars have nothing to do with the history of the island.
Climate and weather on Sakhalin
The climate on Sakhalin is cool, determined by many geographical factors. Winters are snowy and long, imperceptibly turning into not very hot summers - excellent conditions for skiers and valuable varieties of fish. There are a great many of those and others on Sakhalin.
When is the best time to go to Sakhalin
The tourism industry of Sakhalin is a rare indicator for our country that it is possible to work not only on the use of natural gifts. There is a reason for this. The vast majority of tourists on Sakhalin are Japanese, who are difficult to attract with uncomplicated Soviet conditions for recreation. The Japanese demand good food and quality service. Therefore, comfortable hotels and a developed restaurant business have become the norm for Sakhalin. In addition, on Sakhalin, by attracting funds from Japanese investors, the following tourist infrastructure facilities have already been created and are still being created:
- Tourist complex "Hot Keys".
- Tourist base "Aquamarine".
- Historical Center under Japanese ancient temple"Karafuto jinja".
- A massive tourist complex "Sakhalin City Center" is under construction, capable of attracting tourists from all over the world in the future.
With all the variety of modern infrastructure facilities, the possibility of ecotourism, beloved by many, with elements of survival remains.
Sakhalin, of course, is not a museum center, but still provides tourists with the opportunity to see something unusual, namely the South Sakhalin Museum of Railway Engineering. Given the fact that many adult boys and girls of all nationalities retain a reverent love for toys like " Railway”, the museum has no shortage of visitors.
Ecotourism and health tourism
For lovers of ecotourism and hot healing springs, Sakhalin Island is a real find. Both natural monuments and thermal waters are abundant here.
natural attractions
- Seal Island is a protected area that can be reached as part of an excursion. The island has a world-famous fur seal rookery. In terms of the number of pinnipeds resting there, the Island has no analogues. Only the Commander Islands are comparable to it. A real paradise for zoologists, zoophotographers and ecotourists.
- Sakhalin amber deposits - Starodubsky and Vzmorsky beaches. Amber here can be harvested like berries. By the way, Sakhalin amber is really a berry, cherry shade.
- Nituisky waterfall, which is of particular interest during the spawning season of salmon.
- Stone idols of Cape Stukabis, carved from rocks of volcanic origin by nature itself. Here, near the cape, there is an ideal place for fishing, where successful fishermen caught hefty Amur whitefish. Depending on the season, you can watch the nesting of Japanese cormorants and the mating of St. John's sea lions. Also, Cape Stukabis is highly valued by esotericists, Buddhists and hunters of the elusive Shambhala. They say that the contemplation of the statues and the two rushing waterfalls plunges them into nirvana.
- Cape Lamanon is a real gift for ornithologists and amateur geologists. Rare Steller's sea eagles are found here, and mountains of volcanic origin give prospectors samples of quartz and calcite.
How to get to the thermal springs
There are many of them on Sakhalin, and in all of them you can swim and heal.
Popular ones include:
Sinegorsk hot springs, throwing out cubes of water with a complex chemical composition and a high content of arsenic. The type of Sinegorsk water is rare in the world and treats serious disorders of cell metabolism and the consequences of radiation sickness. Sinegorsk is located 20 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk,
Balneological health centers they treat with mud of the Tatar (Tartar) Strait, namely the mouth of the Lechebnaya River and Lake Changeable. The mud of these natural health resorts save people with severe skin diseases and intractable skin ulcers. Mud procedures are carried out in:
- Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk sanatorium "Aralia" (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Komsomolskaya st. 371).
- Sanatorium "Gornyak" (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Gornaya st. 1).
- Sanatoriums "Chaika" and "Sakhalin". Located 20 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, near the Sinegorsk thermal springs.
Daginskiye hot waters help with arthritis, arthrosis and other troubles that affect the musculoskeletal system of humans and swans. In any case, the swans have chosen the Dagin thermal springs as their habitat and do not complain about illnesses.
Goryachiye Klyuchi is a village with the same name thermal springs. Getting there is easy. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Nogliki, and then 30 km following the signs to Klyuchi. The road is not of Japanese quality, unpaved, but the Japanese drive on it. Probably, they sometimes want the exotic. You can stop in the Keys themselves. Or you can go to Nogliki and go to Klyuchi for procedures. Most do just that, because after a ten-minute procedure in hot waters, there is absolutely nothing to do in the Keys, except to stagger along campground and play Bear Grylls. In Nogliki conditions are much more comfortable. There is a small hotel. The cost of the room exceeds 2000 rubles per day. In the private sector, a little cheaper - 1200 rubles per person per day.
The equipment of the hot springs in the Keys themselves varies. There are well-equipped, with clean sunbeds and neat walls. There are both running and wild. The best are those belonging to the Dagi cordon house. The cost of one procedure is 100 rubles. Wild springs are not equipped at all or are poorly equipped. Dilapidated walls, holes covered with cellophane tape, slippery deck chairs and a leaking roof. But each type of source has its fans.
Sakhalin for skiers
International rankings ski resorts do not ignore Sakhalin. To the pride of the domestic tourism business, Sakhalin is far from being an outsider. Due to climatic conditions, the mountain snow cover of Sakhalin lasts up to 6 months a year, and thanks to Japanese investment, places are being equipped ski slope and tourist bases.
An interesting feature of Sakhalin ski tourism is the ability to combine business with pleasure. Speaking exaggeratedly, after descending from the mountain, you can ride to a geothermal spring and take a wellness bath.
The tourist complex "Mountain Air" is located in the center of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, on Victory Square, on the slope of Mount Bolshevik. The complex operates from early December to mid-May.
Important! To ski on the slopes of the complex, you need to purchase either a weekly pass for 8,000 rubles or a one-day ski pass for 1,200 rubles. Skating is allowed from 9 am to 9 pm, the day off is Monday.
In total, the complex has 14 downhill slopes, there is a ski rental good quality and snowboards. On the territory there are funiculars, left-luggage offices, holiday houses, ski jumps, a children's room.
At the complex "Mountain Air" there are hotels with different levels of amenities and services provided. Tops the rating "Imperial Palace". The name is somewhat loud, but the hotel itself is quite good. Approximately equal to him in the rating of "Mitos" and "Santa Rizot". There are hotels that are simpler and, accordingly, cheaper, with names familiar to every post-Soviet person - Rubin and Gagarin. You can eat in several cafes on the territory of the complex and in hotel restaurants.
Food and nutrition
You can taste everything on Sakhalin that your heart desires. The food supply to the island is stable and plentiful. Due to the large number of Japanese and Chinese tourists Those who have their own gastronomic preferences, there are many restaurants and cafes of Japanese and Chinese cuisines in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Due to the geographical proximity of these countries, restaurant chefs have the opportunity to undergo internships in restaurants in Tokyo or Beijing, and the abundance of fish resources precludes the very concept of using any salted herring or mayonnaise in the manufacture of sushi. Therefore, sushi in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is really sushi, and not rice squares according to the recipe of the village vocational school. The same can be said about Chinese dishes.
Every South Sakhalin cafe has Korean cuisine. It has grown so firmly and long into the life of Sakhalin that it is a real culinary culture.
Interesting! A separate story about five-minute caviar, which has long become the hallmark of Sakhalin. In the season of catching chum salmon or pink salmon, the Sakhalin market explodes with an abundance of caviar. After gutting pink salmon, the Sakhalin people wash the caviar, roll it on cheesecloth and dip it in a strong saline solution. Then, in the same gauze, the solution is allowed to drain from the caviar. Five minutes is ready. You can sit at the table and eat with spoons. Tasty and healthy. But in most cases, it's expensive.
On Sakhalin it is a sin not to eat fish. Chum salmon, pink salmon, coho salmon, smelt, trepang, halibut, octopus - this is not a complete list of Sakhalin fish abundance.
By autumn Sakhalin enters the season for catching crabs, and the markets are filled with huge crab claws hanging from the shelves.
Scallops are another Sakhalin delicacy, which is obtained in an artisanal way, wandering through the shallow sea and feeling for scallops with your feet. To fully enjoy their taste, it is better to eat them right on the shore, throwing scallops on the hot coals of a fire. The doors will immediately open, and inside there will be a piece of white and pink meat, which must be eaten piping hot.
Sakhalin for active tourists
The Kuril Islands are an integral part of the Sakhalin Region, and therefore trips to the Kuriles are among the services provided by travel agencies as part of a trip to Sakhalin. Helicopter travel over the Kuriles is one of the most expensive tours. The flight to Mount Spamberg, to an absolutely wild and secluded area near Lake Superior, is not inferior in cost.
A little cheaper is the possibility of group or individual hunting for bears, fur-bearing animals or deer.
K relatively cheap tours include hiking for mushrooms and berries, fishing or diving.
Travel agency "Imperial Tour" organizes trips for travelers on all-terrain vehicles and cars to places far from popular tourist routes.
The travel agency "Moguchi" is engaged in the organization of recreation for corporate clients. Tourists are guided by professional huntsmen who will accompany travelers on hikes around the island of Hirano. Tourists will be taught how to catch pink salmon, cook five-minute caviar, make fire, bake pink salmon on coals and do many other exciting things in the spirit of the Discovery Channel. True, according to Russian custom, guests will not only not be allowed to starve, but will even be deprived of the slightest opportunity to lose weight. Throughout the trip, tourists will receive first-class fresh food from fish and seafood. In between meals, travelers will be able to admire seal rookeries and cormorant flights. Still wild vacation with survival in Russian - it is very satisfying and tasty.
Conclusion
Theoretical physicists and just enthusiasts of this matter say that time travel is possible. Some refer to Tesla, some conduct experiments with speed and particles, however, success and victorious reports have not yet been heard. Apparently, because of this, the favorite argument of the temporary workers is moving into the past when traveling from west to east. It is enough to get on a plane at the right time, for example, in St. Petersburg and fly to Sakhalin. After a few hours of flight, the tourist will fall into yesterday. And returning back in the same way, will fall into tomorrow. During the experiment, the time traveler can have a very good rest on numerous tourist bases Sakhalin, swim in hot springs, catch fish and wander around the railway museum.
Europeans discovered Sakhalin in the 17th century. The first to visit the island in 1640 were the Cossacks, led by the ataman and explorer Ivan Moskvitin. Three years later, the expedition of the Dutch navigator Martin de Vries went there. However, Freese erroneously considered Sakhalin to be a peninsula connected to Hokkaido. Disputes about whether it connects to the mainland or other islands continued until the middle of the 19th century. In 1849, Admiral Gennady Nevelskoy crossed the strait between the island and the mainland on the military ship Baikal. Sakhalin was marked on the maps as an island, and the strait was later given the name of Nevelskoy.
In 1869, those who were sentenced to penal servitude, most often for life, began to be exiled here. Initially, prisons for them were built only in the northern part of the island, but then settlements appeared in the south. Gradually, convicts became the main part of the population of Sakhalin.
At the end of the 19th century, Anton Chekhov came to the island. He got acquainted with the life of convicts, wrote down petitions and memoirs of Sakhalin residents, and conducted a population census here. Later, the writer published the artistic and publicistic book "Sakhalin Island", in which he described in detail the local nature, the way of life of the indigenous people and the exiles, included here fragments of documents, statistical data, records of scientists and travelers who had been on the island before. A whole museum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is dedicated to this book: its exposition includes exhibits related to the life and work of Chekhov (including his personal belongings). Several are named after the writer. settlements Sakhalin region. Monuments to Chekhov have been erected in several cities of the island, and the Literary and Art Museum of A.P. Chekhov "Sakhalin Island".
The indigenous people of Sakhalin are the Nivkhs and the Ainu. However, today they make up less than 1% of all inhabitants of the island. In addition to Russians, Koreans, Ukrainians, and Tatars live in the Sakhalin Region.
Historical and cultural monuments of Sakhalin
Sakhalin passed from Russia to Japan and back several times, and many monuments have been preserved on the island Japanese culture. One of them is the building of the Museum of Local Lore in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. It was built in traditional Japanese style in 1937. The modern exposition of the museum includes more than 170 thousand exhibits: they include samples of flora and fauna, household items of the indigenous inhabitants of the island, historical documents, ancient weapons.
Another monument of Japanese architecture is a ritual torii gate made of white marble near the village of Vzmorye. Previously, there was a temple of Tomarioru Jinja behind them, but it has not survived to this day.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Japanese built on the island railway line Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - Polyakovo. Today it is not used for its intended purpose and has become historical monument. From the Devil's Bridge - the highest in the Sakhalin Region - opens beautiful view in the vicinity of the railroad.
Island nature
The flora and fauna of Sakhalin is poorer than on the mainland, but dense forests grow here and there are animals and plants listed in the Red Book. In addition, scientists have recorded a phenomenon that is unique to this region: herbaceous plants on Sakhalin often grow to gigantic sizes. Nettle, buckwheat, bear's pipe and other herbs can reach 3-5 meters in height.
Various species of birds nest on Lake Tunaicha, and on Seal Island near Sakhalin there is a large seal rookery and huge bird colonies. In the vicinity of high point the islands - Vajda mountains - are located karst caves. From the top mountain range Zhdanko overlooks the picturesque surroundings. On Cape Giant you can see natural arches, grottoes and pillars that arose under the influence of wind and salty sea water. Sakhalin has an active mud volcano, as well as mineral and thermal springs.
