Chukotka Highland message. Geographical encyclopedia. Animal and plant life

Date of writing: 23.04.2024

Reading time: 18 minutes

CHUKOTKA HIGHLANDS

highlands, a system of mid-altitude ridges and massifs in the north-east. Asia, stretching from the Chaunskaya Bay (Shelagsky with a height of 1105 m, Ekiatapsky - 1522 m, Pegtymelsky - 1810 m, etc.) and passing east of the river. Amguema in the hills and ridges (heights 500-1000 m). Length about 450 km. The northern ranges are composed mainly of sandstones and shales, intruded by granites; in the south, volcanic deposits predominate. Massifs Ch. n. form the watershed of the rivers of the seas of the Arctic Ocean (Pegtymel, Palyavaam, Amguema, etc.) and the rivers of the Bering Sea basin (the sources of the Belaya, Kanchalan, etc.). The climate is harsh. Winter is long (7-8 months), summer is short and cool. The average temperature in January is from -15 (in the south-east) to -30 | C (in the north-west), July from 3 in the north to 10 | C in the south. Precipitation falls from 250 to 400 mm per year . Fogs are frequent in the east. In coastal areas, wet sedge-cotton grass hummocky tundra and hypnotic-grass swamps are common; The lower parts of the mountain slopes are also covered with mountain tundra vegetation. At the peaks there is an arctic mountain desert. Deposits of tin, mercury, coal.

N. I. Mikhailov.

Great Soviet Encyclopedia, TSB. 2012

End of the earth...

These are the words that can describe the geographical location of Chukotka. It really is located on the very edge of Eurasia. The easternmost point of the continent is located here - Cape Dezhnev.

The tiny territory of the Chukotka Peninsula (total area is only 58,000 sq. km.) is located in two hemispheres of the Earth - Western and Eastern. This, by the way, is the only part of continental Asia that has western longitude in its coordinate system.

By the way, residents of the peninsula are very lucky: they have the right to enter neighboring Alaska without a visa. And this is perhaps one of the most pleasant features of the geographical location of Chukotka. The American coast from here is only 86 kilometers across the Bering Strait.

It is important to separate the peninsula itself and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, which is one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Chukotka, in administrative terms, is just two districts within the mentioned region - Chukotsky and Providensky.

Relief and minerals of Chukotka

Most of the Chukotka Peninsula is occupied by a low highland of the same name with average absolute heights of 600-1000 meters. Its surface is highly dissected and is represented by individual peaks and lonely hills. The Chukotka Plateau acts as the main watershed of the peninsula. One part of the rivers flows from it into the Chukchi Sea, and the other into the Bering Sea.

The highest point of the Chukotka Peninsula is located near Provideniya Bay. This is the Source Mountain (1194 meters). The edge of the highlands here drops steeply to the ocean, forming a series of steep rocky ledges.

The subsoil of Chukotka is quite rich in minerals. Deposits of placer gold, mercury, tin, polymetallic ores, and coal have been explored here. The peninsula has huge reserves of construction raw materials: limestone, sand, gravel and marble.

Climate of Chukotka

Chukotka is a land of permafrost, a harsh but in its own way beautiful peninsula. Winter here seems to last forever. At this time, the peninsula turns into an icy and lifeless desert. But when the short summer comes (2-3 months), Chukotka pleases with quite diverse vegetation and cheerful mountain streams.

The climate of Chukotka is unique in many ways. It was formed in a zone of active influence of two oceans with incredibly complex atmospheric circulation. In this regard, storms, snowfalls and fogs are often observed here. Local residents joke that the weather in Chukotka is bad for one month a year, very bad for two, and bad for nine!

Permafrost is widespread almost everywhere in Chukotka. The only exceptions are thermokarst lakes and large river valleys.

The Chukotka Peninsula is the holder of several Russian climate records. Thus, here is the highest number of days without sun in the country and the maximum number of storms and hurricanes per year.

Rivers and lakes of Chukotka

The territory of the peninsula is rich not only in mineral resources, but also in water resources. The rivers here are special; they are characterized by:

rapid and high floods;
prolonged freeze-up;
very uneven flow;
pronounced seasonality in changes in water regime and nutrition.

The names of the largest rivers of the Chukotka Peninsula are very difficult to remember - Chegitun, Uluveem, Igelkveem, Ioniveem. All local watercourses freeze in September and open only by the beginning of June. Some rivers freeze to the bottom in winter.

The peninsula has a very developed lake-marsh network. Swamps are concentrated along the beds of large rivers. Lakes of the lagoon type are common on the coasts, and moraine lakes in the mountains. The largest bodies of water in Chukotka are lakes Koolen and Yoonai. In winter they are covered with a thick layer of ice up to two meters thick!

Flora and fauna of Chukotka

The Chukotka Peninsula is entirely within the tundra natural zone. However, you should not think that the local vegetation is sparse and monotonous. There are about 900 species of plants and over 400 species of mosses and lichens on the peninsula.

There are very few forests in Chukotka. Occasionally there are tracts of low-growing birch and Daurian larch. Tundra vegetation with alder, sedge, lingonberry, blueberry and other shrubs is typical for this peninsula. Mosses and lichens, which grow everywhere here, can be considered a unique floristic symbol of Chukotka.

The fauna of the peninsula is also quite diverse. Typical animals of Chukotka are reindeer, long-tailed gopher, hoofed lemming, white hare, wolf, sable, lynx, ermine, arctic fox. The mountainous regions are home to bighorn sheep, as well as musk oxen - unique and only representatives of their kind.

It is worth mentioning the avifauna of Chukotka. On the coast you can find gulls, guillemots, guillemots, waders, loons and even swans. The sea waters are home to a large number of fish and shrimp. Sometimes whales swim to the shores of Chukotka.

History of Chukotka

The earliest human sites on the peninsula date back to 8-6 millennia BC. The unique archaeological complex “Whale Alley” (an alley of bowhead whale bones dug into the ground), on Itigran Island, dates back to the 14th-16th centuries.

The indigenous people of this peninsula are considered to be the Chukchi. Although even earlier, more ancient peoples lived here - the Onkilons, Yuits and Yukaghirs. An important role in the formation and development of the Chukchi people was played by their traditional occupation - reindeer herding.

Russians discovered Chukotka in 1648? during the expedition of Semyon Dezhnev. Almost immediately after this, the first clashes began between local residents and uninvited guests from the west. For half a century, Russian Cossacks tried to conquer and pacify the Chukchi “savages”. But in vain. The Chukchi, even without firearms at their disposal, competently and selflessly defended their land.

It was not possible to conquer the Chukchi people by force. Therefore, Catherine the Second in 1778 resorted to cunning. She granted the Chukchi broad rights and liberties, freed them from conscription (yasak) and guaranteed complete independence in all their internal affairs. This policy bore fruit: already in 1788, the first trade fair was successfully held in Chukotka.

Economy and population of Chukotka

Today, about 8 thousand people live on the peninsula. About 80% of the local population of Chukotka are Chukchi. Other nationalities also live here - Eskimos, Yukaghirs, Evenks, Chuvans and Russians.

In administrative-territorial terms, the territory of the peninsula is divided into two regions - Chukotka and Providensky. Within the first there are six villages. In the Providensky district there are five rural settlements and one urban-type settlement of Provideniya, which is home to about 2 thousand people.

The industry of Chukotka is represented by mining (mainly alluvial gold) and thermal energy. The region's agriculture is most developed. It is represented by reindeer husbandry, fur farming and fisheries. There are two large agricultural enterprises operating on the peninsula - Zapolyarye and Kaper.

Who are the Chukchi and what do we not know about them?

The Chukchi are the indigenous people of Chukotka, a small ethnic group scattered over a fairly large territory. Its total number is only 16 thousand people. About 80% of all Chukchi live within the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.

Characteristic anthropological features of the Chukchi: horizontal or oblique eye shape, skin with a bronze tint, large facial features, high forehead, massive nose and large eyes.

the Chukchi are a very warlike and cruel people;
representatives of this nationality have an excellent sense of smell;
the upbringing of Chukchi boys is strict and consists of a number of difficult tests (for example, from the age of five, a young Chukchi is allowed to sleep exclusively while standing);
the Chukchi are absolutely indifferent to death;
the Chukchi are ideal warriors, partisans and saboteurs, they brought animal horror and instilled fear in everyone who had to fight with them;
The basis of the diet of this people is meat, seaweed, berries, shellfish, blood and decoctions of various herbs;
the Chukchi are skilled craftsmen in carving animal bones;
The Soviet government desperately and productively came up with funny jokes about the Chukchi; the main goal of the “red ideologists” was this: to turn the militant and proud people into harmless and amusing folklore characters.

Heraldry of Chukotka

As a conclusion to our article, we cannot fail to mention the heraldry of the peninsula. She is very interesting, colorful and a little naive. However, the coats of arms and flags of Chukotka reflect all the specifics of this unique region.

Let's start with the flag of the Chukotka municipal region. On it we see a boat with five oarsmen and a hunter armed with a long spear. The boat floats against the background of the yellow sun. This panel depicts one of the main activities of local residents - hunting large sea animals (seals, walruses and whales).

But the coat of arms of the same Chukotka region depicts a walrus (against the background of the administrative map of the region) and six deer, symbolizing another traditional occupation of the Chukchi - reindeer herding.

No less interesting is the coat of arms of the neighboring Providensky district. On it we see images of a whale and a sea anchor. It is no coincidence that both figures are placed on the district coat of arms. The whale symbolizes whaling, traditional for these regions, and the anchor reminds that one of the most important ports of the Russian Arctic is located in the village of Provideniya.

The Chukotka Peninsula (Chukotka) is a peninsula in the extreme northeast of the Eurasian continent. It is washed by the Chukchi Sea of the Arctic Ocean from the north and the Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean from the south. Separated from Alaska by the narrow Bering Strait to the east. Off the eastern coast of the peninsula is the Arakamchechen Island. It is the only continental part of Asia in the Western Hemisphere.

Characteristic features of the shelf seas of Chukotka are heavy ice conditions, storms, fogs, and strong tidal currents.

East-Siberian Sea- the coldest of the Chukchi seas, its temperature rarely exceeds +2°C.

Chukchi Sea- the easternmost of the seas washing the northern coast of Eurasia. Floating ice covers it most of the year. In autumn, stormy winds contribute to the appearance of waves up to 7 meters high, and hummocks up to 5-6 meters high often form.

Bering Sea- the warmest of the seas washing Chukotka. The ice regime of the Bering Sea is more favorable for navigation than the regime of the Arctic seas.

The Chukotka Peninsula (Chukotka) should not be confused with the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (Chukotka). The territory of the Chukotka Peninsula is an integral part of the subject of the Russian Federation - the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug: the Providensky and Chukotka administrative districts are located on the peninsula. The area of Chukotka is 49 thousand square meters. km., while the area of the Autonomous Okrug is 737.7 thousand.

Climate of Chukotka

Chukotka is a land of permafrost, a harsh but beautiful peninsula in its own way. Winter here seems to last forever. At this time, the peninsula turns into an icy and lifeless desert. But when the short summer comes (2-3 months), Chukotka pleases with quite diverse vegetation and cheerful mountain streams.
The climate of Chukotka is unique in many ways. It was formed in a zone of active influence of two oceans with incredibly complex atmospheric circulation. In this regard, storms, snowfalls and fogs are often observed here. Local residents joke that the weather in Chukotka is bad for one month a year, very bad for two, and bad for nine!

Permafrost is widespread almost everywhere in Chukotka. The only exceptions are thermokarst lakes and large river valleys.

The Chukotka Peninsula is the holder of several Russian climate records. Thus, here is the highest number of days without sun in the country and the maximum number of storms and hurricanes per year.

Rivers and lakes of Chukotka

The territory of the peninsula is rich not only in mineral resources, but also in water resources. The rivers here are special, they are characterized by: rapid and high floods; prolonged freeze-up; very uneven flow; pronounced seasonality in changes in water regime and nutrition. All local watercourses freeze in September and open only by the beginning of June. Some rivers freeze to the bottom in winter.

The names of the largest rivers of the Chukotka Peninsula are very difficult to remember - Chegitun, Uluveem, Igelkveem, Ioniveem.

The peninsula has a very developed lake-marsh network. Swamps are concentrated along the beds of large rivers. Lakes of the lagoon type are common on the coasts, and moraine lakes in the mountains.

The largest bodies of water in Chukotka– these are lakes Koolen and Yoonai. In winter they are covered with a thick layer of ice up to two meters thick!

Flora and fauna of Chukotka

There are very few forests in Chukotka. Occasionally there are tracts of low-growing birch and Daurian larch. Tundra vegetation with alder, sedge, lingonberry, blueberry and other shrubs is typical for Chukotka. Mosses and lichens, which grow everywhere here, can be considered a unique floristic symbol of Chukotka.

The Chukotka Plateau is a system of mid-high altitude (on average about 1000 m, max. 1843 m) ridges and massifs in the extreme NE. Asia (Chukchi Autonomous District). Extends 700 km from the northwest. in the southeast, from Chaunskaya Bay to the Chukotka Peninsula. North the ridges are folded ch. arr. sandstones and shales intruded by granites; volcanic rocks predominate in the south. Deposits of gold, tin, mercury, stone. coal Serves as a watershed for the Bass rivers. North Arctic (Pegtymel, Palyavaam, Amguema, etc.) and Pacific (headwaters of the White, Kanchalan, etc.) oceans. Island-peaked ridges and wide valleys bear traces of ancient glacial processing. In the lower Some of the slopes are mountain tundra, and on the tops there are desert stone deposits. Several small glaciers have been discovered.

View value Chukotka Highlands in other dictionaries

Highlands- Highlands, Wed. Upland, plateau. Central Asia.
Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Highlands Wed.— 1. Plateau, upland.
Explanatory Dictionary by Efremova

Highlands- -I; pl. genus. -riy, dat. -ryam; Wed A vast area of the earth's surface, raised high above the adjacent spaces and characterized by a combination of plateaus, mountains......
Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary

Abyssinian Highlands- an obsolete name for the Ethiopian Highlands.

Aldan Highlands- in Yakutia. Height up to 2306 m. Mountain ranges: Sunnagyn, West. Yangi and others. On the slopes there is larch taiga, above 1300 m rocky tundra. Deposits of iron ore, coal, mica, gold.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Armenian Highlands- in Turkey (most of), Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan. OK. 400 thousand km2. Height up to 5165 m (Mount Bolshaya Ararat). Combination of lava plateaus with individual volcanic cones of folded-blocky......
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Upper Kolyma Highlands— in the Magadan region. Altitude 1300-2000 m. The river valleys and slopes of ridges have open larch forests and thickets of dwarf cedar; higher up is mountain tundra. Gold deposits......
Large encyclopedic dictionary

East Tuvan Highlands- in the interfluve of the lower reaches of the Bolshoi Yenisei (Biy-Khem) and Malaya Yenisei (Ka-Khem) rivers, in the east of Tuva. Height up to 2895 m. Slopes of taiga and mountain tundra.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Guizhou Plateau- in southwest China, eastern part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Length approx. 600 km, width up to 500 km, height 1000-1200 m. Karst. Pine and oak-beech forests, bamboo thickets.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Javakheti Highlands- in Transcaucasia, in Georgia. Part of the South Georgian Plateau south of the Trialeti Range, between the river. Kura in the west and the Lower Kartli Plain in the east. Consists of ridges (height........
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Dinaric Highlands- on the Balkan Peninsula. Length approx. 650 km, width up to 230 km. The highest altitude is 2692 m (Ezertsa). It consists of plateaus separated by mountain ranges and massifs (Velebit, Dinara,........
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Iranian Highlands- in Iran (approx. 2/3 of the territory), Afghanistan, Pakistan; outskirts - in Iraq and southern Turkmenistan. 2.7 million km2. Height up to 5604 m (Demavend volcano). Internal plateaus with a height of 500-2000........
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Karabakh Highlands- in Transcaucasia, between the Zangezur and Karabakh ranges. Height up to 3616 m. Tuff lava plateaus, extinct volcanic cones.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Kolyma Highlands— (Gydan) - in the northeast of the Russian Federation (mainly in the Magadan region). Length 1300 km. Height up to 1962 m. Consists of a number of ridges and ridges. More than 2/3 of the area is tundra; V........
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Koryak Highlands- in Kamchatka and Magadan regions. It consists of medium-altitude short ridges, ridges and ridges (the largest is 2562 m). Mountain tundra predominates.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Asia Minor Highlands- in Turkey. Length approx. 1200 km, width up to 600 km. Predominant heights 800-1500 m. The inner part is the Anatolian plateau, in the north - the Pontic Mountains, in the south - the Taurus Mountains. Semi-deserts.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Mexican Highlands- in Mexico and the southern USA. Bounded by the ridges of the Eastern Sierra Madre (in the east), Western. Sierra Madre (in the west), Transverse Volcanic Sierra (in the south). The internal part consists......
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Highlands- a vast area of the earth’s surface, within which there are mountain ranges, massifs, leveled surfaces, basins, etc. etc., lying on a common highly elevated........
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Oymyakon Highlands- in the bass. R. Indigirka (Yakutia). Consists of separate massifs and ridges (height 1400 m). In the Oymyakon Basin there is one of the cold poles of the Northern Hemisphere (the absolute minimum is about -70C).
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Olekmo-Chara Highlands- in the east of Transbaikalia, mainly in Yakutia, between the Olekma and Chara rivers (Lena basin). Height up to 1402 m. On the slopes there are larch forests, higher up there is mountain tundra.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Patomskoye Highlands- in Transbaikalia, between the Lena, Vitim and Chara rivers, mainly in the Irkutsk region. Length and width approx. 300 km. Height up to 1924 m. Permafrost. Mountain taiga and tundra. Gold mining.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

North Baikal Highlands- a system of flat-topped ridges northeast of the lake. Baikal. Height up to 2578 m. On the slopes there are larch forests, higher up there are open forests.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

North Scottish Highlands- (Northern Highlands) - in the north of Great Britain. Height up to 1343 m (Ben Nevis). The plateaus and massifs are dissected by tectonic depressions, gorges, and fjords in the west. Many lakes.........
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Serbian Highlands- in Yugoslavia (Serbia), between the valleys of the Yuzh rivers. Morava iLim. A system of short, predominantly flat-topped ridges and massifs up to 2017 m high; karst. Oak, beech......
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Stanovoe Highlands- mountain system in Transbaikalia. Alternation of high mountain ranges (height up to 2999 m) with vast intermountain basins. Deposits of gold, fluorspar, coal.
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Tibetan Plateau- to the Center. Asia, in China, is one of the largest (approx. 2 million km2) and highest on the globe. Bounded by the Himalayas, Karakoram, Kunlun, Sino-Tibetan mountains. Combination of flat......
Large encyclopedic dictionary

Central Andian Highlands- the widest (up to 750 km) part of the Andes, between 15-28 .S. sh., in Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The central part occupies the inner plateau of Pune (altitude 3700-4100 m), above which rise......
Large encyclopedic dictionary