Landscape
The landscape of Kamchatka is mostly mountainous. Koryakskoye Plateau is situated in the northen part of Kamchatka, almost parallel to each
other the two mountain ranges Middle and Eastern extend the whole peninsula. Between them the Central Kamchatskaya lowland lies with the
Kamcahtka river, the main water artery of the peninsular, running through it.
The western Kamchatka coast (the Okhotsk sea coast) is rather monotonous: the low washed-in shore and forests intermingled with marshes.
The eastern coast (the Pacific Ocean coast) is on the contrary full of contrasts: bays, reefs and rocks alternate with black beaches, \
stretching for many kilometers.
The topography of the eastern part of Kamchatka has evident signs of volcanic and tectonic activity - this is the area with a belt of active volcanoes,
located in some places only 20-30 km from each other. The second volcanic belt passes along the Middle range , but all volcanoes but for one are extinct.
On the whole, there are 29 active and about 300 extinct volcanoes in Kamchatka.
Climate
The climate of Kamchatka is characterized by a long winter, a short summer, lots of precipitations (up to 1100 mm a year) and high humidity.
In the central part of Kamchatka the climate is continental: in the valley of the Kamchatka river winter is frosty, and summer is hot.
Along the coastal line the climate is marine. In Petropavlovsk, the administrative center of Kamchatka, winter is mild and snowy,
spring is long and cold, summer is cool and short, and fall is rather warm .The average daylight duration here is about 4,16 hours.
Flora and Fauna
The vegetation of Kamchatka is unique and strongly differs from the vegetation in other areas of the Far East. Approximately one third of Kamchatka
territory is covered with forests. These are mainly birch forests (Erman's birch) ,less spread are larch, poplar and alder forests Hillsides are covered with
stlannik (i.e. low growing brushwood - elfin cedar and dwarf alder). The most common tree species in Kamchatka is stone birch tree. Kamchatka
woods are rich ia great variety of wild berries such as: cowberry, raspberry, ashberry, cranberry, cloudberry, honey-suckle.
Fauna of Kamchatka is rather poor in the number of species, though some of species is numerous.The Kamchatka brown bear for instance,
is one of the largest bear species ( the same species inhabits Kodiak Island in Alaska).The average size of mature Kamchatka bear is approximately
8.5 feet with a 25 inch scull.There are also bears measuring 9.8 feet and larger, but they are rather few. The biggest bird of the
peninsula is Steller's sea eagle - a relict predator, which inhabits practically only Kamchatka peninsula.In coastal regions there are seals and sealions,
on the territory of the Komandorskie Islands-fur seals and sea otters.
The Population. Native Peoples
Kamchatka was settled about 15 thousand years ago. The ancient hunters, the distant ancestors of North American Indians, who were the first to
settle in Northern America,passed through Kamchatka and Chukotka.The first inhabitants of Kamchatka lived in full harmony with nature and knew
how to use its resourses.
For the itelmens fishing was one of the main ways of living. In summer time they lived near some water resourses. They moved across the rivers in
whole-carved boats made mainly of poplar and caught fish with threshed nettle nets.
The Koryaks and Chukchis were devided into those who lived in settled villages and provided their living by fishing and hunting for marine animals
and those who were reindeer breeders.
At the beginning of 19 century the north of Kamchatka was settled by the evens-reindeer breeders, and Komandorskiye Islands
were settled by the Aleuts-hunters for marine animals. The main traditional occupation of these natives were hunting for marine animals
and fishing. Among the household articles there were baskets, bags plaited from grass.They also used dog-sleds and broad skiis covered with
seal ski.
Nowdays the natives preserve reindeer breeding and cottage craft as their main occupation. They are famous for bone carving, for articles made of
fur and leather,original embroideries and drawings which decorate national clothes and houshold articles.
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