Where is Sakhalin Island on the map of Eurasia. Where is Sakhalin? When is the best time to go to Sakhalin

Russia Region Sakhalin region Population 520 thousand people

Sakhalin island

Sakhalin- an island off the east coast of Asia. It is part of the Sakhalin region, the largest island in the Russian Federation. It is washed by the Seas of Okhotsk and Japan. It is separated from mainland Asia by the Tatar Strait (at its narrowest part, the Nevelskoy Strait, is 7.3 km wide and freezes in winter); from the Japanese island of Hokkaido - through the La Perouse Strait.

The island got its name from the Manchu name of the Amur River - “Sakhalyan-ulla”, which translated means “Black River” - this name, printed on the map, was mistakenly attributed to Sakhalin, and in subsequent editions of maps it was printed as the name of the island. The Japanese call Sakhalin Karafuto, this name goes back to the Ainu "kamuy- kara-puto-ya-mosir", which means "land of the god of the mouth".

In 1805, a Russian ship under the command of I.F. Kruzenshtern explored most of the coast of Sakhalin and concluded that Sakhalin was a peninsula. In 1808, Japanese expeditions led by Matsuda Denjuro and Mamiya Rinzou proved that Sakhalin is an island. Most European cartographers were skeptical of the Japanese data. For a long time, on various maps Sakhalin was designated either an island or a peninsula. Only in 1849 did an expedition under the command of G.I. Nevelsky put a final point on this issue, passing on the military transport ship “Baikal” between Sakhalin and the mainland. This strait was subsequently named after Nevelsky.

Geography

The island extends meridionally from Cape Crillon in the south to Cape Elizabeth in the north. Length 948 km, width from 26 km (Poyasok isthmus) to 160 km (at the latitude of the village of Lesogorskoye), area 76.4 thousand km².

Map of Sakhalin Island 1885

Relief

The island's topography is composed of medium-high mountains, low mountains and low-lying plains. The southern and central parts of the island are characterized by mountainous terrain and consist of two meridionally oriented mountain systems - the Western Sakhalin Mountains (up to 1327 m in height - the city of Onor) and the East Sakhalin Mountains (up to 1609 m in height - the city of Lopatina), separated by the longitudinal Tym- Poronayskaya lowland. The north of the island (with the exception of the Schmidt Peninsula) is a gently rolling plain.

The shores of the island are slightly indented; large bays - Aniva and Terpeniya (widely open to the south) are located in the southern and middle parts of the island, respectively. The coastline has two large bays and four peninsulas.

The following 11 districts are distinguished in the relief of Sakhalin:

1. Schmidt Peninsula (about 1.4 thousand km²) is a mountainous peninsula in the far north of the island with steep, sometimes steep banks and two meridional ridges - Western and Eastern; highest point - Three Brothers (623 m); connected to the North Sakhalin Plain by the Okha Isthmus, the width of which at its narrowest point is just over 6 km;
2. The North Sakhalin Plain (about 28 thousand km²) is a gently hilly territory south of the Schmidt Peninsula with a widely branched river network, poorly defined watersheds and individual low mountain ranges, stretches from the Bay of Baikal in the north to the confluence of the Nysh and Tym rivers in the south, the highest point - Daakhuria town (601 m); The north-eastern coast of the island stands out as a sub-region, which is characterized by large lagoons (the largest are Piltun, Chaivo, Nyisky, Nabilsky, Lunsky bays), separated from the sea by narrow strips of alluvial spits, dunes, low sea terraces - it is in this sub-region and the main Sakhalin oil and gas fields are located on the adjacent shelf of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk;
3. The Western Sakhalin Mountains stretch almost 630 km from the latitude of the village. Khoe (51º19" N) in the north to the Crillon Peninsula in the extreme south of the island; the average width of the mountains is 40-50 km, the largest (at the latitude of Cape Lamanon) is about 70 km; the axial part is formed by Kamysovy (north of the Poyasok isthmus) and South Kamyshovy ridges;
4. The Tym-Poronayskaya lowland is located in the middle part of the island and is a hilly lowland stretching approximately 250 km in the meridional direction - from Terpeniya Bay in the south to the confluence of the Tym and Nysh rivers in the north; reaches its maximum width (up to 90 km) at the mouth of the Poronai River, and its minimum (6-8 km) in the valley of the Tym River; in the north it passes into the Nabil lowland; covered with a thick cover of Cenozoic sediments, composed of sedimentary deposits of the Quaternary period. sandstones, pebbles; the heavily swampy southern part of the lowland is called the Poronai “tundra”;
5. The Susunai Lowland is located in the southern part of the island and stretches for about 100 km from Aniva Bay in the south to the Naiba River in the north; from the west the lowland is limited by the Western Sakhalin Mountains, from the east by the Susunaisky ridge and the Korsakov plateau; in the southern part the width of the lowland reaches 20 km, in the center - 6 km, in the north - 10 km; absolute heights in the north and south do not exceed 20 m above sea level, in the central part, on the watershed of the Susuya and Bolshaya Takaya river basins, reach 60 m; belongs to the type of internal lowlands and is a tectonic depression filled with a large thickness of Quaternary deposits; within the Susunai Lowland are the cities of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Aniva, Dolinsk and about half the island’s population lives;
6. The East Sakhalin Mountains are represented in the north by the Lopatinsky mountain cluster (the highest point is the city of Lopatin, 1609 m) with ridges radiating from it; two spurs in the opposite direction represent the Nabilsky ridge; in the south, the Nabilsky ridge passes into the Central Ridge, in the north, sharply descending, into the North Sakhalin Plain;
7. lowland of the Terpeniya Peninsula - the smallest of the areas, occupies most of the Terpeniya Peninsula east of Terpeniya Bay;
8. The Susunaisky ridge stretches from north to south for 70 km and has a width of 18-120 km; the highest points are Mount Pushkinskaya (1047 m) and Chekhov Peak (1045 m); composed of Paleozoic deposits, at the foot of the western macroslope of the ridge is the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk;
9. The Korsakov plateau is bounded from the west by the Susunay lowland, from the north by the Susunay ridge, from the east by the Muravyovsky lowland, from the south by Aniva Bay, and has a slightly undulating surface formed by a system of flat-topped ridged ridges elongated in the northeast direction; at the southern end of the plateau on the shores of Aniva Bay is the city of Korsakov;
10. The Muravyovskaya Lowland is located between the Aniva Bay in the south and the Mordvinova Bay in the north, and has a ridged topography with flat tops of the ridges; within the lowland there are many lakes, incl. the so-called “Warm Lakes”, where South Sakhalin residents like to go on vacation;
11. The Tonino-Aniva ridge stretches from north to south, from Cape Svobodny to Cape Aniva, for almost 90 km, the highest point is Mount Kruzenshtern (670 m); composed of Cretaceous and Jurassic deposits.

View of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk from the high shore near the lighthouse in the Warm Lakes area

Climate

The climate of Sakhalin is cool, moderate monsoon (average January temperature from −6ºС in the south to −24ºС in the north, August - from +19ºС to +10ºС, respectively), maritime with long snowy winters and short cool summers.

The climate is influenced by the following factors:

1. Geographical location between 46º and 54º N. latitude. determines the arrival of solar radiation from 410 kJ/year in the north to 450 kJ/year in the south.
2. The position between the Eurasian continent and the Pacific Ocean determines the monsoon climate. It is associated with the humid and cool, rather rainy Sakhalin summer.
3. Mountainous terrain affects the direction and speed of the wind. A decrease in wind speed in intermountain basins (in particular, in the relatively large Tym-Poronai and Susunai lowlands) contributes to air cooling in winter and warming in summer; it is here that the greatest temperature contrasts are observed; at the same time, the mountains protect the named lowlands, as well as the western coast, from the effects of the cold air of the Sea of ​​​​Okhotsk.
4. In summer, the contrast between the western and eastern coasts of the island is enhanced by the respectively warm Tsushima Current of the Sea of ​​Japan and the cold East Sakhalin Current of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.
5. The cold Sea of ​​Okhotsk affects the island's climate as a giant thermal accumulator, determining a long, cold spring and relatively warm autumn: snow in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk sometimes lasts until mid-May, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk's flower beds can bloom until early November. If we compare Sakhalin with similar (in terms of climatic indicators) territories of European Russia, then the seasons on the island succeed each other with a delay of about three weeks.

Air temperature and precipitation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the 21st century (temperature: II.2001-IV.2009; precipitation: III.2005-IV.2009):

Options / Months	I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X	XI	XII	Year
Maximum air temperature, ºС	1,7	4,1	9,0	22,9	25,0	28,2	29,6	32,0	26,0	22,8	15,3	5,0	32,0
Average air temperature, ºС	−11,6	−11,7	−4,6	1,8	7,4	12,3	15,5	17,3	13,4	6,6	−0,8	−9,0	3,2
Minimum air temperature, ºС	−29,5	−30,5	−25,0	−14,5	−4,7	1,2	3,0	4,2	−2,1	−8,0	−16,5	−26,0	−30,5
Total precipitation, mm	49	66	62	54	71	38	37	104	88	96	77	79	792

The maximum temperature on Sakhalin (+39ºС) was observed in July 1977 in the village. Pogranichnoe on the east coast (Nogliki district). The minimum temperature on Sakhalin (-50ºС) was recorded in January 1980 in the village. Ado-Tymovo (Tymovsky district). The recorded temperature minimum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is −36ºС (January 1961), maximum is +34.7ºС (August 1999).

The highest average annual precipitation (990 mm) falls in the city of Aniva, the least (476 mm) at the Kuegda weather station (Okha district). The average annual precipitation in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (according to long-term data) is 753 mm.

The earliest stable snow cover appears on Cape Elizaveta (Okha district) and in the village of Ado-Tymovo (Tymovsky district) - on average October 31, the latest - in the city of Korsakov (on average December 1). The average dates for the disappearance of snow cover are from April 22 (Kholmsk) to May 28 (Cape Elizabeth). In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, stable snow cover appears on average on November 22 and disappears on April 29.

The most powerful typhoon in the last 100 years (“Phyllis”) hit the island in August 1981. The maximum precipitation then fell on August 5-6, and in total from August 4 to 7, 322 mm of precipitation fell in the south of Sakhalin (about three monthly norms) .

Inland waters

The largest rivers of Sakhalin:

River	Administrative district(s)	Where does it flow	Length, km	Basin area, km²	Average annual runoff volume, km³
Poronai	Tymovsky, Smirnykhovsky, Poronaisky	Terpeniya Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	350	7990	2,49
Tym	Tymovsky, Nogliki	Nyisky Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	330	7850	1,68
Naiba	Dolinsky	Terpeniya Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	119	1660	0,65
Lutoga	Kholmsky, Anivsky	Aniva Bay, Sea of ​​Okhotsk	130	1530	1,00
Shaft	Nogliki	Chaivo Bay, Sea of ​​Okhotsk	112	1440	0,73
Ainskaya	Tomarinsky	lake Ainsk	79	1330	...
Nysh	Nogliki	Tym River (left tributary)	116	1260	...
Uglegorka (Esutoru)	Uglegorsky	Sea of ​​Japan (Strait of Tartary)	102	1250	0,57
Langeri (Langry)	Okhinsky	Amur Estuary of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	130	1190	...
Big	Okhinsky	Sakhalin Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	97	1160	...
Rukutama (Vitnitsa)	Poronaisky	lake Nevskoe	120	1100	...
Deer	Poronaisky	Terpeniya Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	85	1080	...
Lesogorka (Taimyr)	Uglegorsky	Sea of ​​Japan (Strait of Tartary)	72	1020	0,62
Nabil	Nogliki	Nabilsky Bay of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk	101	1010	...
Malaya Tym	Tymovsky	Tym River (left tributary)	66	917	...
Leonidovka	Poronaisky	Poronai River (right tributary)	95	850	0,39
Susuya	Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Anivsky	Aniva Bay, Sea of ​​Okhotsk	83	823	0,08

There are 16,120 lakes on Sakhalin with a total area of ​​about 1,000 km². The areas of their greatest concentration are the north and southeast of the island. The two largest lakes of Sakhalin are Nevskoye with a mirror area of ​​178 km² (Poronaisky district, near the mouth of the Poronai River) and Tunaicha (174 km²) (Korsakovsky district, in the north of the Muravyovskaya lowland); both lakes belong to the lagoon type.

Natural resources

Sakhalin is characterized by a very high potential of natural resources. In addition to biological resources, the reserves of which Sakhalin ranks among the first in Russia, the island and its shelf have very large hydrocarbon reserves. In terms of the volume of explored reserves of gas condensate, the Sakhalin region ranks 4th in Russia, gas - 7th, coal - 12th and oil - 13th, while within the region the reserves of these minerals are almost entirely concentrated in Sakhalin and its shelf. Other natural resources of the island include timber, gold, and platinum.

Flora and fauna

Both the flora and fauna of the island are impoverished both in comparison with the adjacent areas of the mainland and in comparison with the island of Hokkaido located to the south.

Flora

As of the beginning of 2004, the island's flora includes 1,521 species of vascular plants, belonging to 575 genera from 132 families, with 7 families and 101 genera represented only by alien species. The total number of alien species on the island is 288, or 18.9% of the entire flora. According to the main systematic groups, the vascular plants of the Sakhalin flora are distributed as follows (excluding aliens): vascular spores - 79 species (including lycosperms - 14, horsetails - 8, pteridophytes - 57), gymnosperms - 9 species, angiosperms - 1146 species ( including monocotyledons - 383, dicotyledons - 763). The leading families of vascular plants in the flora of Sakhalin are sedges ( Cyperaceae) (121 species excluding aliens - 122 species including aliens), Asteraceae ( Asteraceae) (120 - 175), cereals ( Poaceae) (108 - 152), Rosaceae ( Rosaceae) (58 - 68), ranunculaceae ( Ranunculaceae) (54 - 57), heather ( Ericaceae) (39 - 39), cloves ( Caryophyllaceae) (38 - 54), buckwheat ( Polygonaceae) (37 - 57), orchids ( Orchidaceae) (35 - 35), cruciferous ( Brassicaceae) (33 - 53).

Fauna

Pink salmon go to spawn in an unnamed river flowing into Mordvinov Bay

"Red Book"

The fauna, flora and mycobiota of the island include many rare protected species of animals, plants and fungi. 12 species of mammals recorded on Sakhalin, 97 species of birds (including 50 nesting), seven species of fish, 20 species of invertebrates, 113 species of vascular plants, 13 species of bryophytes, seven species of algae, 14 species of fungi and 20 species of lichens (t i.e. 136 species of animals, 133 species of plants and 34 species of fungi - a total of 303 species) have protected status, i.e. are listed in the Red Book of the Sakhalin Region, while about a third of them are simultaneously included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

Among the "federal Red Book" flowering plants, the flora of Sakhalin includes Aralia cordate ( Aralia cordata), calypso bulbosa ( Calypso bulbosa), Glen's cardiocrinum ( Cardiocrinum glehnii), Japanese sedge ( Carex japonica) and lead gray ( C. livida), real lady's slippers ( Cypripedium calceolus) and grandiflora ( C. macranthum), Gray's bifolia ( Diphylleia grayi), leafless muzzle ( Epipogium aphyllum), Japanese kandyk ( Erythronium japonicum), tall pot-bellied ( Gastrodia elata), iris xiphoid ( Iris ensata), ailantholfolia nut ( Juglans ailanthifolia), Calopanax sevenloba ( Kalopanax septemlobum), tiger lily ( Lilium lancifolium), Tolmachev's honeysuckle ( Lonicera tolmatchevii), long-legged winged seed ( Macropodium pterospermum), miyakia wholeleaf ( Miyakea integrifolia) (Miyakia is the only endemic genus of vascular plants on Sakhalin), Nestflower capulaceae ( Neottianthe cucullata), peonies obovate ( Paeonia obovata) and mountain ( P. oreogeton), rough bluegrass ( Poa radula) and Wright's viburnum ( Viburnum wrightii), i.e. 23 species. In addition, eight more “federal Red Book” plants are found on the island: two species of gymnosperms - Sargent’s juniper ( Juniperus sargentii) and pointed yew ( Taxus cuspidata), three species of pteridophytes - asiatic grasshopper ( Isoеtes asiatica), leptorumora Mikel ( Leptorumohra miqueliana) and Wright's mecodium ( Mecodium wrightii), two species and one variety of mosses - Bryoxyphium japonica ( Bryoxiphium norvegicum var. japonicum), nekera northern ( Neckera borealis), and plagiothecium obtuse ( Plagiothecium obtusissimum).

Population

According to the results of the 2002 census, the population of the island was 527.1 thousand people, incl. 253.5 thousand men and 273.6 thousand women; about 85% of the population are Russians, the rest are Ukrainians, Koreans, Belarusians, Tatars, Chuvashs, Mordovians, several thousand people each are representatives of the indigenous peoples of the North - Nivkhs and Oroks. From 2002 to 2008 The population of Sakhalin continued to decline slowly (by about 1% per year): mortality still prevails over birth rates, and the attraction of labor from the mainland and from countries neighboring Russia does not compensate for the departure of Sakhalin residents to the mainland. At the beginning of 2008, about 500 thousand people lived on the island.

The largest city on the island is the regional center of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (173.2 thousand people; 01/01/2007), other relatively large cities are Korsakov (35.1 thousand people), Kholmsk (32.3 thousand people), Okha (26.7 thousand people), Nevelsk (17.0 thousand people), Poronaysk (16.9 thousand people).

The population is distributed among the regions of the island as follows (results of the 2002 census, people):

Area	Whole population	%% of total	Urban population	Rural population
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and subordinate settlements	182142	34,6	177272	4870
Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky	17509	3,3	14764	2746
Anivsky	15275	2,9	8098	7177
Dolinsky	28268	5,4	23532	4736
Korsakovsky	45347	8,6	39311	6036
Makarovsky	9802	1,9	7282	2520
Nevelsky	26873	5,1	25954	921
Nogliki	13594	2,6	11653	1941
Okhinsky	33533	6,4	30977	2556
Poronaisky	28859	5,5	27531	1508
Smirnykhovsky	15044	2,9	7551	7493
Tomarinsky	11669	2,2	9845	1824
Tymovsky	19109	3,6	8542	10567
Uglegorsky	30208	5,7	26406	3802
Kholmsky	49848	9,5	44874	4974
Sakhalin in general	527080	100	463410	63670

Story

Archaeological finds indicate that people appeared on Sakhalin in the Paleolithic, approximately 20-25 thousand years ago, when glaciation lowered the level of the World Ocean and restored land “bridges” between Sakhalin and the mainland, as well as Sakhalin and Hokkaido. (At the same time, along another land “bridge” between Asia and America, located on the site of the modern Bering Strait, Homo sapiens moved to the American continent). In the Neolithic (2-6 thousand years ago), Sakhalin was inhabited by the ancestors of modern Paleo-Asian peoples - the Nivkhs (in the north of the island) and the Ainu (in the south).

These same ethnic groups formed the main population of the island during the Middle Ages, with the Nivkh migrating between Sakhalin and the lower Amur, and the Ainu migrating between Sakhalin and Hokkaido. Their material culture was similar in many ways, and their livelihood came from fishing, hunting and gathering. At the end of the Middle Ages (in the 16th-17th centuries), Tungus-speaking peoples appeared on Sakhalin - Evenks (nomadic reindeer herders) and Oroks (Uilta), who, under the influence of the Evenks, also began to engage in reindeer herding.

According to the Treaty of Shimoda (1855) between Russia and Japan, Sakhalin was recognized as their joint undivided possession. According to the Treaty of St. Petersburg of 1875, Russia received ownership of the island of Sakhalin, in return transferring to Japan all the northern Kuril Islands. After the defeat of the Russian Empire in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 and the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth, Japan received South Sakhalin (the part of Sakhalin Island south of the 50th parallel). As a result of the victory over Japan during World War II, the entire territory of Sakhalin Island and all the Kuril Islands were included in the Soviet Union (RSFSR). To the territory or part of the territory of the island. Sakhalin currently has no claims from Japan or any other country.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk was founded by Russians in 1882 under the name Vladimirovka. After the victory of the USSR and its allies in World War II, along with the entire island, it passed to the USSR.

Sakhalin Island from satellite

Sakhalin was not always 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). During 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 name “Sakhalin” itself appeared due to a geographical error. Due to an oversight, the Manchu name of the Amur River - Sahallyan-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, Sakhalin Island was ruled by China. At the same time, the territory did not officially belong to the Middle Kingdom. In 1855, the governments of Japan and Russia concluded the Treaty of Shimoda, according to which both states declared Sakhalin to be a joint possession. However, after 20 years, Russia annexed the island, paying Japan for it with the northern Kuril Islands. However, the joy from the expansion of possessions was short-lived. After the loss in the Russo-Japanese campaign, the southern part of the island again went to the Land of the Rising Sun. The fate of Sakhalin was finally decided only after World War II, when Russia completely regained the island, and with it the previously lost Kuril Islands.

Economy and population

A little less than 500 thousand people live on Sakhalin, about 200 thousand of whom are residents of the regional center, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The overwhelming 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 region's economy 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, survives on oil production, while the remote and western areas, where production stopped during the collapse of the Soviet Union, are forced to literally struggle for existence. Ultimately, unemployment and a low standard of living led to the fact that most of the residents of the Sakhalin periphery turned to poachers. Illegal shooting of wild animals and the extraction of red caviar using barbaric methods are slowly but surely causing irreparable damage to the nature of the great island...

Climate and nature

When going on a trip to Sakhalin, it is better to prepare in advance for weather surprises. Since the island's climate is temperate and monsoon, the weather here is not stable. Local snowy and frosty winters are actively “helped” by atmospheric vortices, bringing with them strong snowstorms. Spring here is long and cold, but summer is relatively warm, but short and often rainy. Another weather problem for Sakhalin is frequent and unpredictable cyclones, bringing with them destructive 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, lowland plains, with 2/3 of the territory occupied by taiga. By the way, there is no shortage of fresh water on Sakhalin: 17 rivers and over 16 thousand lakes abundantly provide life-giving moisture to the island’s flora and fauna. 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 find endemic (growing or living only in a specific place) representatives of the animal and plant world.

Sakhalin has become a truly paradise for fans of fishing and hunting. The abundance of fish and game in local forests and waters 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, and redberries can be found here under almost every bush. However, going to the other side of the country solely for the gifts of the forest is not entirely reasonable, especially since the natural resources of the island are not limited to berry fields and fishing spots. There are also thermal springs, bathing in which can relieve chronic diseases, and fabulous caves filled with stalactite crystals, and sites of ancient man. However, it is worth noting that most of the entertainment here is suitable for those who are easy-going and ready to show at least minimal physical activity. Rafting, windsurfing, skiing and snowboarding, kayaking, mountaineering and paragliding, descending into mountain caves and unforgettable cycling - this is not a complete list of activities that Sakhalin is ready to offer supporters of an active lifestyle.

Sights of Sakhalin

The main and most valuable attraction of Sakhalin is its amazing nature. People come here not for high-quality European service and glossy sights, but for the delightful atmosphere of complete unity with nature, active recreation and an amazing feeling of complete freedom.

Reserves

The most convenient and correct option for getting to know the wildlife of Sakhalin Island is local nature reserves, the most interesting of which is the Vostochny State Nature Reserve. You can get here only with a special permit issued by the forest department, but the red tape with a pass is more than compensated by the impressions of the visit. It is here that you can encounter such a rare phenomenon for the island as dark coniferous taiga, watch how pink salmon, chum salmon and coho salmon go to spawn, and photograph clumsy sea lions resting on the coastal rocks. To get acquainted with the Sakhalin grouse and reindeer, it is better to go to the Nogliki Nature Reserve. In the fall, reindeer racing is held here, so if your visit to the island coincides with the autumn season, do not miss the opportunity to attend this unusual event. Well, the most interesting place to watch bird “bazaars” is in the Poronaysky Nature Reserve, which occupies the eastern part of Sakhalin and the Terpeniya Peninsula.

Volcanoes

Infernal vents filled with lava splashing in all directions are not about Sakhalin volcanoes. Here the craters erupt... earth mixed with water. The Pugachevsky and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsky mud volcanoes even look non-trivial. Regular circles, devoid of vegetation and dotted with miniature “pores” of craters, are reminiscent of cosmic landscapes from a science-fiction blockbuster. By the way, the last major eruption from the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsky volcano occurred in 2011, as a result of which a new mud field was 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 on Sakhalin and Adler. Today, there are 4 mineral wells in the Sinegorsk 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 region, there is another unusual place - the Daginsky 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 reaching +40...+45 ° C, helps in the treatment of infertility and joint diseases. Once upon a time there was a hydropathic clinic on the adjacent territory, but then the place gradually fell into disrepair. Today, only a modest cabana reminds of the former glory of the natural resort. However, this did not make the springs any 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 it is home to about 29 species of fish. In addition, it is in Tunaichu that 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 Kamyshov Ridge, where the fabulous lakes of Mount Spamberg are lost on a picturesque plateau. 18 pristine reservoirs, created as a result of rock collapses, have their own, partially isolated ecosystem. The plateau section is also famous for the fact that numerous springs and waterfalls in the Sakhalin region originate from here. Here you can also find the main waterfall of the island – Shuisky.

Caves

Sakhalin is one of the most successful places for novice speleologists. You should start getting acquainted with the local caves from Mount Vaida. There are plenty of fantastic multi-level dungeons decorated with bizarre sinter formations. The intricate network of wells, underground passages and halls of Wajda is assigned a medium 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 Bear Tragedies Cave will bring no less impressions. The gloomy stone hall, which has become a kind of cemetery for bear remains, is etched in the memory for a long time. Once upon a time, during archaeological excavations, objects of ancient cult were found here, as well as tools of labor of the first people.

43 km from Sakhalin, in the Strait of Tartary, is the island of Moneron. 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 by destroying most of the coniferous forests. A reminder of this era is the lighthouse that remains here in memory of Japanese colonization. Today Moneron has the status of a natural park and is actively visited by travelers. About 37 species of plants listed in the Red Book grow on the island, but among tourists Moneron is better known as a place for bird “bazaars”, as well as rookeries for sea lions and seals.

Hunters and fishermen

Tourists who come to Sakhalin to sit with a fishing rod and shoot local game have several recreation centers at their disposal. As a rule, these are hotel-type houses located in particularly 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”, “Nizhnyaya” - 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 family farm “Geeva” in the village. Nogliki invites its guests to “go” bear or moose hunting. 50 km from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk there is the Okhotsk farm, where anyone can shoot hares and ducks, and also try to catch chum salmon, pink salmon or taimen.

For skiers

On the outskirts of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is located the main ski slope of the island - the tourist complex "Mountain Air". You can relax here with your whole family at any time of the year, but the base attracts the maximum number of guests during the winter months. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing - for each sport there is its own type of equipped trails with a total length of about 10 km. There is a rental of sports equipment on the territory of the complex, in addition, all slopes of the camp site are equipped with special lifts. In summer, people come here to paraglide or rent a bike for exploring the surrounding area.

Remnant Frog on Sakhalin Island

Mineral 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. There is no such green area, entirely consisting of hundred-year-old yew trees, in any other corner of the planet. You can get a lot of positive emotions and just as many spectacular photographs on Tyuleniy Island, where the largest rookery of marine mammals is located. Fans of anomalous places covered in mystical legends should look into the outskirts of Frog. Well, you can taste the delicious gifts of Sakhalin nature at the Uspenovsky cranberry gardens. A vast treeless space, completely covered with a carpet of berries, will appear in your dreams for a long time.

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 exhibition 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, at the local history museum, located in a colorful Japanese house on Kommunistichesky Avenue. If you come with children, be sure to take time to visit the zoo and botanical park, where you can see rare and endangered species of local animals. The Museum of the History of the Sakhalin Railway, which contains rare examples of railway equipment, also offers its guests an interesting and educational excursion.

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 route is the Vanino-Kholmsk ferry crossing. To get to the port of Vanino (Khabarovsk Territory), you must purchase a train ticket in advance on the route: Moscow-Khabarovsk or Moscow-Vladivostok (the trip lasts from 5 to 6 days). It is better to get from Khabarovsk railway station to Vanino by taxi. The final stage of the journey is boarding the ferry and a 14-hour sail through the Tatar Strait.

Sakhalin is Russia's largest island, located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Russia and north of Japan.

Since in its structure, Sakhalin Island resembles a fish, with a fin and tail, the island has disproportionate dimensions.

Its dimensions are:
- in length, more than 950 kilometers
- in width, in its narrowest part, more than 25 kilometers
- in width, in its widest part, more than 155 kilometers
- the total area of ​​the island reaches more than 76,500 square kilometers

Now let's plunge into the history of Sakhalin Island.

The island was discovered by the Japanese around the middle of the 16th century. And by 1679, a Japanese settlement called Otomari (the current city of Korsakov) was officially formed in the south of the island.
During the same period, the island was given the name Kita-Ezo, which translated means Northern Ezo. Ezo is the former name of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Translated into Russian, the word Ezo means shrimp. This suggests that near these islands there lived a large concentration of one of the main Japanese delicacies, shrimp.

The island was discovered by Russians only at the beginning of the 18th century. And the first official settlements on the current island of Sakhalin were developed by 1805.

I would like to note that when Russian colonists began to create topographic maps of Sakhalin, there was one mistake on them, because of which the island got its name, Sakhalin. This is because maps were drawn up with rivers in mind, and because of the location from which the colonists began mapping the topography, the main river was the Amur River. Since some of the guides of the Russian colonists through the untouched thickets of Sakhalin were immigrants from China, the Arum River, according to the old written Chinese languages, namely from the Manchu dialect, the Amur River sounded like Sakhalyan-Ulla. Due to the fact that Russian cartographers did not correctly enter this name, namely, the place Sakhalyan-Ulla, they entered it as Sakhalin, and they wrote this name on most maps where there were branches from the Amur River, on the mainland they considered that the name was was assigned to this island.

But let's get back to history.

Due to the abundant resettlement of Russian colonists to the island, the Japanese, in 1845, declared the current island of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands independent, the inviolable property of Japan.

But due to the fact that most of the north of the island was already inhabited by Russian colonists, and the entire territory of present-day Sakhalin was not officially appropriated by Japan and was considered not disbanded, Russia began disputes with Japan about the division of the territory. And by 1855, the Treaty of Shimoda was signed between Russia and Japan, in which it was accepted that Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands were a joint undivided possession.

Then in 1875, in St. Petersburg, a new treaty was signed between Russia and Japan, according to which Russia renounced its part of the Kuril Islands in exchange for full ownership of the island.

Photos taken on Sakhalin Island, between the mid-18th and early 19th centuries

In 1905, due to Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, which took place from 1904 to 1905, Sakhalin was divided into 2 parts - the Northern part, which remained under Russian control, and the Southern part, which went to Japan.

In 1907, the southern part of Sakhalin was designated Karafuto Prefecture, with its main centers represented by the first Japanese settlement on Sakhalin Island, the city of Otomari (present-day Korsakov).
Then the main center was moved to another large Japanese city, Toehara (the current city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk).

In 1920, Karafuto Prefecture was officially given the status of an external Japanese territory and, from an independent Japanese territory, came under the control of the Ministry of Colonial Affairs, and by 1943, Karafuto received the status of an internal land of Japan.

On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan, and 2 years later, namely 1947, the Soviet Union won this, the second Russo-Japanese War, taking the southern part of Sakhalin and all the Kuril Islands.

And so, from 1947 to the present day, Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands remain part of the Russian Federation.

I would like to note that after the deportation of more than 400,000 Japanese back to their homeland began by the end of 1947, at the same time, mass migration of the Russian population to Sakhalin Island began. This is due to the fact that the infrastructure built by the Japanese on the southern part of the island required labor.
And since there were many minerals on the island, the extraction of which required a lot of labor, mass exile of prisoners began to Sakhalin Island, which was an excellent free labor force.

But due to the fact that the deportation of the Japanese population occurred more slowly than the migration of the Russian population and the Sylochniks, the deportation was finally completed by the end of the 19th century. Russian and Japanese Citizens had to live side by side for a long time.

Photos taken on Sakhalin Island between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Due to the large meridional elongation of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands and their mountainous terrain, the distribution of soil and vegetation cover exhibits wide zoning and vertical zonation.
The humid monsoon climate and mountainous terrain of the region determined some of the features of the soil and vegetation cover of Sakhalin. The main ones include the dominance of taiga landscapes. In most of the island, the dominant type of vegetation is the dark coniferous spruce-fir taiga of Ayan spruce and Sakhalin fir, with the participation of Mayer fir and Glen spruce in the south of the island.
The northern part of the island is dominated by forests and woodlands of Dahurian larch with thickets of wild rosemary, dwarf cedar, blueberries, cranberries, etc. There are many peat bogs with poorly developed grass cover and an abundance of lichen. The arcs occupy small areas and consist mainly of reed grass, sedges and forbs. The North Sakhalin Plain is dominated by bog and podzolic soils, and on the Schmidt Peninsula - mountain podzolic soils.
To the south of the village of Nysh, the spruce-fir taiga begins with the dominance of spruce forests - green moss forests, moving further south into spruce-fir forests with a predominance of fir and with a carpet of ferns in the grass stand, where mountain-podzolic and mountain brown forest soils have formed under them.
In the southern part of the island and on the Southern Kuril Islands, the second feature of the vegetation cover is clearly visible - a mixture of northern and southern elements of the flora: lemongrass grows next to the spruce; in mountain larch forests - grapes; hydrangea entwines the fir; Kuril bamboo is adjacent to wild rosemary, etc. In the extreme southwest there is an admixture of broad-leaved species growing on mountain-forest brown soils.
In the forests of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands there are many shrubs that form thickets both in the valleys and in the mountains: currants, rose hips, vidina, holly, skimmia, euonymus, aralia, eleutherococcus and many others. In the south of the island there are a large number of vines: actinidia, grapes, hydrangea. In river valleys on alluvial soils, floodplain forests grow, formed by willow, choicenia, alder, elm poplar with an admixture of white birch, ash, rowan, bird cherry and thickets of bushes. Large grass formations are confined to river valleys and the foothills of slopes, especially widespread in the southern part of Sakhalin, as well as on Iturup, Kunashir and Shikotan. Stone-birch forests, under which mountainous-forest acidic soils, in the south they descend to the sea. In the southern part of Sakhalin and on the Kuril Islands, thickets of Kuril bamboo, as well as shrubs, yellow maple, diervilla, honeysuckle, etc. are ubiquitously developed. The highest areas of the mountains with mountain-peaty-gley soils are occupied by thickets of dwarf cedar and mountain-tundra formations.
The vegetation of the Kuril Islands is more diverse: the forests of the southern part of Kunashir have much in common with the forests of the southwestern part of Sakhalin, and the vegetation cover of the island, located north of the island of Rasshua, is similar to the vegetation of Kamchatka and is characterized by the predominance of subalpine shrubs of dwarf pine and Kamchatka alder, in combination with heath, meadow and meadow-bog groups. The north of Kunashir and most of Iturup are covered with coniferous forests of fir and larch with areas of broad-leaved forest consisting mainly of oak. The northern tip of Iturup and Urup are occupied by peculiar sparse forests of stone birch with dense and tall thickets of Kuril bamboo with the participation of yew, samukha, euonymus, etc. Spruce-fir forests grow on Shikotan. The other islands of the Malaya Kuril ridge are completely treeless and covered with herb meadows.
The fauna of the Sakhalin region is diverse and includes over 45 species of mammals, including pinnipeds and cetaceans. The forests of Sakhalin are home to most of the animals found in the mainland taiga: brown bear (also found in Kunashir, Iturup, Paramushir), sable, musk deer, flying squirrel, chipmunk.
In the north and center of Sakhalin, reindeer are found, and among the birds, the white partridge lives. Everywhere on Sakhalin, as well as on Paramushir and some other islands of the Kuril ridge, there are foxes, white hare, and ermine. On Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, elk, deer, roe deer, badger, black grouse, etc., which are common for Siberia, are absent. Among the birds known on Sakhalin are the rock capercaillie, hazel grouse, cuckoo, great spotted woodpecker, and many songbirds. Tundra partridge, nutcracker, etc. nest on the Kuril Islands. Representatives of the Indo-Malayan avifauna live in the forests of the southern group of the Kuril Islands, and in the south of Sakhalin - Japanese avifauna. The fauna of the seas and sea coasts of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands is quite rich. These are seals, spotted seals, bearded seals, fur seals, and sea lions, forming coastal and ice rookeries. On Tyuleny Island there is one of the largest rookeries of fur seals, famous for their excellent fur. There are also sea lion rookeries here, which provide valuable durable leather. Besides, Steller sea lions also form rookeries on such islands of the Kuril ridge as Shumshu, Onekotan, Shiashkotan, etc. In the south of the island of Urup lives the largest herd in Russia of the most valuable fur-bearing animal, the sea otter, which feeds on fish and sea urchins. Most marine mammals in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and Sea of ​​Japan move south for the winter. In the waters of the seas and oceans surrounding the region there are various species of whales, fish (herring, saury, navaga, pollock, flounder, chum salmon, pink salmon, masu salmon), crabs, mollusks, etc. A variety of salmon fish come into the Sakhalin and Kuril rivers for spawning - chum salmon, pink salmon, masu salmon. The life of many birds is also connected with the sea, such as guillemots, cormorants, guillemots, fulmars, puffins, which form bird colonies on Cape Terpeniya, the Tyuleny and Moneron islands, and especially on the Kuril Islands.
The picturesque topography of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, the unique fauna and vegetation, and rich natural resources make the Sakhalin region one of the interesting corners of our Motherland.

Sakhalin is located off the east coast of Asia. It is the largest island in the Russian Federation. What seas wash Sakhalin? There are only two of them: Okhotsk and Japanese. The island is separated from the Asian mainland by the Strait of Tartary, and from Japanese territory by the La Perouse Strait.

Historical reference

In the Middle Ages (XVI-XVII centuries), the territory was inhabited by Tungus-speaking tribes: Evenks (nomads) and Oroks. In 1875, Russia received property rights to the island of Sakhalin, based on an agreement drawn up in the city of St. Petersburg. Japan took the Kuril Islands (northern) in return.

During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Japan gained control of Southern Sakhalin. When Russia defeated Japan during World War II, all of the Kuril Islands and Southern Sakhalin again became part of the Soviet Union.

Sakhalin weather by month in different parts of the island

The weather on the island changes dramatically over the course of the season. However, local residents are accustomed to such “whims”. The climate of Sakhalin is continental, with low temperatures (warm in summer and cold in winter), constant fog and heavy cloud cover. But the weather is not the same in different parts of the island, because the territory of Sakhalin is 76,400 km². It is colder in the Tymovsky, Poronaisky and Okha regions. In winter, the temperature here drops to -40 to -50 °C. But such a harsh winter is compensated by the heat in the summer, when the air temperature reaches +35 °C.

In the north of Sakhalin Island, the average temperature in January can reach -24 °C, and in the south -18 °C. In August, the thermometer is not particularly pleasing to residents in the northern part of the island - from +12 to +17 °C. In the southern territory the weather is slightly warmer - from +16 to +18 °C.

Climate of Sakhalin in the off-season

Winter on this island is quite severe, often accompanied by heavy storms and snowfalls. The cold here does not end for a long time, so the cyclones follow each other. During these periods, hurricane winds can occur that reach speeds of up to 40 m/sec. On average, temperatures in the north in January range from -21 to -23°C, and in the southwest up to -8°C.

In the spring it doesn’t immediately get warmer on Sakhalin. The lingering cold and winds persist for a long time. The city is covered with new “portions” of snowfall and an additional element - fog.

Summer here is cool and there are still heavy rains during this period. This is explained by the fact that broken pieces of ice drift in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk along the eastern coast to the south. The average air temperature on the island ranges from +13°C (in the north) to +19°C (in the south).

The most pleasant and warm weather on Sakhalin Island is in autumn. The sunny season pleases not only the local population, but also visiting guests. The only surprises at this time are slight frosts and winds (growing into a strong storm), which sometimes occur near the Tym River.

Precipitation

In winter, Sakhalin's climate is characterized by high humidity. In this regard, a third of the precipitation (usually snowfall) falls at this time of year. But in each part of the city the amount of rain and snow varies greatly: in the north the annual precipitation is 500-700 mm, in the south - 1000-1300 mm, and in the central part - 800-900 mm.

About the winds on the island

In winter and spring, strong squalls of winds hit Sakhalin, which can easily “degenerate” into a storm. Mostly northern and northwestern winds blow here. The strongest gusts were recorded in the northern parts of the city, where wind speeds reached 7-10 meters per second. The wind blows a little quieter on the west coast - 5-7 meters per second.

In the east there is almost no wind - from 3 to 5 meters per second. The summer period is characterized by south and southeast winds of average speed (from 2 to 6 meters per second). The climate type on Sakhalin Island is moderate monsoon, but is heterogeneous in different areas of the island. It is cold here in winter due to low temperatures and strong winds.

What factors influence the island's climate?

Basically, the weather of Sakhalin depends on the geographical location (46º and 54º N), where an anticyclone often passes, which causes a real winter with severe frosts. This is especially pronounced in the central part of the island. Southern cyclones can bring strong snowstorms, increasing the amount of precipitation in winter.

The humid and warm climate in summer is due to the fact that the island is located between the Pacific Ocean and the continent of Eurasia. There are mountains nearby, with which you can determine the speed and direction of the wind. Spring on Sakhalin lasts longer than we would like, and in autumn the weather here is heavenly and warm.

The reason that February is the coldest month of the year, and August is the warmest, lies in the Tsushima Current. Because of it, there is a contrast in the Sea of ​​Japan between the western and eastern shores.

Flora and fauna of the largest island

Sakhalin is an ecological and secluded civilization. The terrain consists of mountain ranges, with low-mountain and low-lying plains. Fresh water on the island provides flora and fauna through 17 thousand rivers and 16 thousand lakes. The flora and fauna on Sakhalin is amazing and diverse. There are about 136 species of animals and 133 species of vegetation that are listed in the Red Book.

The climate of Sakhalin does not pose a threat to human health, despite its severity. Those who prefer to breathe rich and clean air will definitely like it here. Thermal springs, of which there are many on the island, will help get rid of chronic diseases. It is especially good here for fishermen and hunters, because the abundance of fish and game cannot but please. The island is also rich in mushrooms and berries, beautiful plants, and magnificent landscapes.

Natural resources of Sakhalin

What other natural attractions are there on Sakhalin?

1. Mud volcano. This miracle of nature is located 18 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. A mud volcano is a geological creation that, with a certain periodicity, releases mud masses and gases, but more often water and oil. Common geographic location of mud volcanoes in oil fields.
2. Daginsky thermal springs. In the area of ​​Dagi Bay and the village of Goryachiye Klyuchi (eastern part) there are Daginsky thermal springs. Their medicinal properties were first used by the ancient indigenous population - the Orchi - reindeer herders. The total number of springs is five, of which two have drinking water. There are many thermal springs on Sakhalin Island. But Daginsky radons differ from them in their high content of silicic acid and increased alkalinity. There is also a sanatorium nearby.
3. Cape Giant. This natural monument is considered the most beautiful and amazing of all the coastlines of the island. Cape Velikan is located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. It is famous for its bizarre rock formations (grottoes, caves, steep banks, arches and stone columns) and colorful seascapes.
4. Sinegorsk mineral springs. The location of therapeutic radons can be found 22 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. These springs contain carbonate bicarbonate-sodium chloride water as well as a high percentage of arsenic. Sinegorsk mineral springs are considered the only ones in all of Russia that have such an amazing composition.

Japan is located next to Sakhalin, but the climate there is much milder.