Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city, Russia

Story

Kamchatka became part of Russia in 1697, and the Russian Cossacks began to develop it even earlier. But Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky appeared only half a century later and for a long time was an ordinary small port.

Previously, the Itelmen settlement of Niaki was located here, and the bay on which it stood was called Niakina Bay or Niakina Bay. Vitus Bering drew attention to it while preparing for the Second Kamchatka Expedition and studying a map of the peninsula. He sent navigator Ivan Elagin to the bay to make sure that it was suitable for the winter mooring of the expedition's ships. Elagin arrived on the shores of Niakina Bay in June 1740, confirmed that the place was good and began to create the first buildings on it with his team. On October 17 of the same year, the ships “St. Peter” and “St. Paul”, owned by Bering and Chirikov themselves, moored to the harbor. This date is considered the founding day of the city - then still an expeditionary settlement. Niakina Bay began to be called after the names of the holy apostles, the Peter and Paul Harbor, and later the Peter and Paul Port.

The port slowly developed, met the expeditions of James Cook and La Perouse and was strengthened with new garrisons. But Petropavlovsk became the capital of Kamchatka only in 1812, and despite the new status, it remained sparsely populated for a long time and consisted of one street with wooden buildings. By the middle of the 19th century, only one and a half thousand people lived in it. These were mainly military personnel and office workers with families.

This small city showed heroism and tenacity in fierce battles with the Anglo-French fleet, which was almost three times its size. In 1854, six enemy ships entered Avacha Bay, began shelling the port and landed troops ashore. The Petropavlovtsians, led by Governor Vasily Stepanovich Zavoiko, defended the city for several days and eventually defeated the enemy. The troops were thrown back into the sea, the commander of the English squadron, Rear Admiral Davis Price, shot himself, unable to bear the shame. On Nikolskaya Sopka, which was the center of intense resistance, today several monuments have been erected in memory of the defense of Petropavlovsk.

During Soviet industrialization, the city was renamed Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and began to develop as the industrial center of the peninsula: a mechanical plant and a ship repair yard were built there. In the thirties, a branch of the Scientific Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography opened in the city, and the first professional theater began operating. The population grew rapidly, and the city itself expanded.

During World War II, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was a strategic center in the confrontation with Japan. Here in 1945 the Kuril landing force was formed, which drove out enemy troops from the islands of Paramushir and Shumshu. On the Khalaktyrsky coast, just twenty kilometers from the city, military bases were built, and tanks were buried directly in the sand. Walking along the beach you can still find traces of fortifications and remains of military equipment.

After the war, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky actively developed and expanded: new higher educational institutions, museums, cultural centers were opened, modern buildings and public spaces were built. Neighboring villages were annexed to the city, the population grew rapidly and by the nineties reached its peak - 270 thousand people.

History of conferring the honorary title “City of Military Glory”

During the Great Patriotic War, the importance of Kamchatka grew as a strategically important point, and the military support of the region underwent rapid development.
At this time, a seaport was built at an accelerated pace, which worked, among other things, to receive American aid under Lend-Lease. Victory in the war would have been impossible without the support of the home front. Thousands of Kamchatka residents participated in the creation of the country's defense fund and helped the front in any way they could.

Workers, collective farmers, and employees monthly throughout the war contributed one, two, or three days' earnings to the defense fund, contributed money and government bonds, valuables and food. Deductions came from Pioneer and Komsomol Sundays, from the holding of evenings and concerts by artists of the regional drama theater; Collective farmers and state farm workers sowed “defense plots” of vegetables and potatoes beyond the plan, and reindeer herders donated reindeer to the defense fund. The collection of warm clothes and clothing for the Red Army soldiers was widespread in Kamchatka.

Climate and weather in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

The climate in Kamchatka was formed under the strong influence of the Pacific Ocean. In general, it can be called moderate with marine and monsoon features. Its peculiarity is in contrast: thick fog, rain and sun can replace each other several times a day.

Winters in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky are long, snowy and sunny, comparable in mildness to those in Moscow or St. Petersburg. It snows about a hundred days a year and lies from November to May. The air temperature ranges from 0 to −7 °C, occasionally dropping to −20 °C. The coldest month is January.

The weather in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is suitable for winter sports, so the city, surrounded by hills and mountains, attracts snowboarders and skiers. The best months for sports tourism are March and April. At this time, daylight hours increase, and the snow is still dense, especially in the mountains.

From May to September is the wettest period: on average, it rains for half a month in the city, and fog appears 12 times a month. As such, summer in Kamchatka is short and cool. Unlike central Russia, the warmest month of the year here is not July, but August, with an average air temperature no higher than +17°C. Despite the severity, Kamchatka summer remains the most comfortable time for hiking and climbing volcanoes.

The coldest month of the year is January, the warmest is August.

Autumn in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is clearer and drier than summer, but cold. The average temperature in September and October is from +5°C to +10°C. The average maximum is +14°C.

The water in the ocean is cool: its temperature, even in the most intense heat, reaches no more than +15°C. You can swim in it, but, as a rule, there are few people interested. In sunny weather, the majority of vacationers on the beaches sunbathe.

Weather in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by month

Daytime temperature, °C	Temperature at night, °C	Precipitation amount, mm
January Jan	-7.9	-10.5	87
February Feb	-6.6	-10.5	76
March Mar	-3.2	-8.3	99.7
April Apr	0.8	-4.1	78.5
May	6.9	1.8	57.4
June Jun	12.7	6.8	65.7
July July	17.9	9.7	65.4
August Aug	18.2	10.3	81.6
September Sep	13.9	7.0	72.1
October Oct	6.2	2.3	104.6
November Nov	-0.9	-3.3	126.2
December Dec	-6.5	-8.7	115.9

Reviews and advice from tourists

Despite the easternmost location in Russia and the distance from most cities, the Kamchatka Territory is among the top most beautiful tourist places in the country and receives hundreds of thousands of tourists a year. Guests' itineraries differ, although they ultimately include the main attractions of the peninsula. Everyone gets acquainted with volcanoes, visits hot springs, admires the landscapes of the Pacific Ocean and is sure to try the freshest seafood.

“Contrasts of Kamchatka. Tour without backpacks" from Larisa Kiseleva
“How to lose 10 kg in a week: Kamchatka, part 1 - volcanoes and geysers” from Natalia Konnova
“Kamchatka from North to South. Unforgettable two weeks at the end of the world" by Progkey
“Kamchatka” from Elena Butorina
as well as tips on how to get to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from different cities of Russia
and What to bring from Kamchatka

All tourist reviews about Kamchatka on Tourist. RU

Tourist base in Kamchatka Photo: © Roman_kzt

Population

181,181 people officially live in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - more than half of the total population of the Kamchatka Territory. These are mostly Russians - almost 80% of them. There are also Ukrainians, Tatars, Belarusians, and Koreans. The indigenous peoples of Kamchatka - the Itelmens and Koryaks - together make up no more than 1%.

The demographic peak in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky occurred in the late eighties. Later, Petropavlovsk residents began to flee en masse from unemployment and low living standards. By the beginning of the new century, the migration outflow decreased slightly, but did not disappear.

Physiographic characteristics

A feature of the relief is constant ascents and descents, due to the large number of hills. The height difference from the lowest point to the highest is 513.6 m from sea level.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the map of Russia is a zone of seismic activity of volcanoes, so small earthquakes are not uncommon here. Also frequent phenomena on the peninsula are: mudflows, snow avalanches, rising river levels, and heavy rains.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a mountainous area surrounded by volcanoes

The time zone according to the international standard, called Kamchatka time, differs from Moscow time by a difference of +9 hours.

Airport

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport named after Vitus Bering (another name is Yelizovo) is located in the city of Yelizovo, 29 km from the capital of the region. It operates local flights, flights to other regions of Russia, as well as to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and the USA.

There are only 8 airports in Kamchatka, but 7 of them support connections only within the peninsula.

There are 7 more airports in different parts of the peninsula, but they only support regional air traffic and consist of runways and small wooden terminal buildings.

Goods and services

On the airport territory there is a parking lot, ATMs, a hotel, to the left of the terminal building there is a first-aid post and a mother and child room.

In the Elizovo terminal itself there is a business lounge, two restaurants, a cafe, retail outlets with souvenirs and clothing with Kamchatka symbols, shops with fish delicacies and pine nut sweets.

From the history of the airport

Yelizovo Airport was originally opened as a military airfield in 1942, and its independent civilian division appeared six years later. For many years, only domestic flights across the peninsula were operated from it - to Moscow and Khabarovsk. Planes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky began flying to other countries only in 1995.

In 2021, the reconstruction of the airport was completed: a modern runway was built, allowing it to accommodate ultra-large airliners.

By 2021, the regional administration plans to complete the construction of a new airport passenger terminal with a hotel and business center.

How to get there

You can get from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the airport and in the opposite direction by bus No. 104. It will take you from the city center in 35-40 minutes, the final stops of the route are: “Central Market” in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and “Avtostation” in Yelizovo.

By car you can get from the capital of the region to the airport along the North-Eastern Highway. The journey will take about 45 minutes.

Where to stay in Kamchatka

When planning a trip to Kamchatka, you should think about accommodation in advance. The bulk of housing is located in Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky and neighboring Yelizovo. Guests can choose from only two dozen hotels and the same number of hostels, which is quite a bit for a popular tourist region. Rented apartments are saving the situation; there are much more offers for them. If you include a visit to the Mutnovsko-Gorelovsky volcano area in your route, you can stay in the villages of Paratunka and Termalny, where there are guest houses and recreation centers with a hot pool.

Kamchatka Hotels
Hostels for Budget Travelers
Flats and apartments
Guest houses in Kamchatka

When booking accommodation, don’t forget about cashback from Booking.com: Cashback promotion for Tourist. RU

Port of Petropavlovsk

The Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky port combines a passenger sea terminal, a trading hub, a naval base and a fish production and processing base.

The port is located in the central part of the city, on the banks of the Peter and Paul Bay, which in turn opens into Avacha Bay.

Marine Station

The Marine Passenger Station of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky opened in 2021 after reconstruction. Before that, he had not worked for 25 years: border guards and customs officers boarded the ships themselves, and passengers got to the shore in boats.

Now the port can accommodate cruise ships at the new pier and handle 200 people at a time. From the sea terminal, ships depart to Japan and South Korea, and across Russia to Vladivostok, Sakhalin and the port of Vanino.

From the history of the port

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was originally built as a port city, so the ship harbor was the center of major events in the history of Kamchatka from the time of its development. The first settlements were built near the port, ships of famous navigators arrived at it, it was the center of resistance of the Petropavlovsk residents to the enemy fleet during the Crimean War and the place from where the Kamchatka landing party launched in World War II. An equipped sea trade port was officially built in 1943 and began accepting cargo within a year.

How to get there

The port area is stretched along the shore of the bay, so the commercial port and the marine terminal are located at a distance of a kilometer from each other.

The commercial port is located on Shchedrin Square, 2. It is 170 m from the city administration. The nearest stop is Shchedrin Square. You can get there by any of the buses: No. 1, 2, 3, 9, 18, 21, 29, 30, 31.

The Marine Station is located on Vokzalnaya Square, 1. The stop is called “Morvokzal”; buses No. 26 and 28 pass through it.

Spring springs and geysers

There are about 150 large springs on the territory of Kamchatka, the closest to Petropavlovsk are Malkinskie and Paratunka.

Paratunka springs are located 60 km away. from Petropavlovsk - Kamchatsky, they are divided into several groups: Upper - Paratunka, Middle - Paratunka and Nizhne - Paratunka. The water in the springs contains a large amount of silicic acid. Helps in the treatment of diseases of the skin, musculoskeletal system and nervous system.

Malkinsky springs

Malkinsky springs are located near the village of Malki, 130 km. from the city, in the valley of the Klyuchevka River. In a small valley 0.5 km wide. There are thermal springs with hydrocarbonate-chloride-sulfate water, the temperature in them reaches 80 ° C. Visitors here are treated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, nervous system and ENT organs.

You can get to the place by bus or car, and stay at a recreation center or in a tent camp.

120 km from the city, in the area of the Mutnovsky volcano, there is the Small Valley of Geysers. A fumoral field is located in a small area; it consists of natural holes in the ground through which hot steam and air pass. Near the valley are the Dachnye thermal springs and the Mutnovskaya geothermal power plant.

Small Valley of Geysers.

Despite the name, there are no real gushing geysers here; you can see them in the Kronnotsky Nature Reserve, and you can get there by helicopter.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Winter

Fewer tourists come to Kamchatka in winter than in the short summer, so flying to the peninsula is usually cheaper. But the opportunities for active recreation only increase at this time of year, and the boiling white landscapes are as impressive as the alpine greenery. All the city hills are accessible for climbing in winter; from them you can admire snow-covered views and the ice-free Avachinskaya Bay, and you can walk along the shores of the bay itself, listening to the surf.

Long snowy winters and mountainous terrain provide ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding

. There are several ski resorts in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Within the city limits there are “Tsentralnaya” on Petrovskaya Sopka, “Edelweiss” and “Krasnaya Sopka”. Outside the city there are “Kirpichiki” and “Zaozerka”. Those who prefer unequipped extreme slopes engage in freeride, for example on Mishennaya Sopka, which offers a panoramic view of the bay and “home” volcanoes. On holidays, the city sometimes hosts competitions with a descent to the central square.

Snowmobile safari becomes popular in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in winter

.
Transport can be rented or driven with experienced drivers. You can take snowmobiles to the Pacific coast or nearby volcanoes. Those who want to decorate their holiday with Far Eastern flavor can also go dog sledding
. Not far from the city there are several nurseries and ethnic villages where friendly sled huskies, huskies and malamutes are raised, for example the Snow Dogs nursery and the Kaynyran camp.

Where to see whales, bears, and eurasians

Beautiful wild nature is unthinkable without its inhabitants. While traveling around Kamchatka you will definitely be able to meet some of the animals. In the summer, bears and gophers do not sleep, whales swim to the shores of Kamchatka, and hundreds of bird species breed on the inaccessible cliffs of the ocean coast.

Kamchatka is a bearish region. There is a mention of the clubfoot in every review or story about a trip around the peninsula. Before a trip, some people make it a point to see bears . However, on the spot, reinforced by scary stories, huge prints and the night rustling behind the thin wall of your own tent, it is often replaced by the opposite desire.

Photo: © acvazul-v2010

Brown bears in Kamchatka are large - they can reach 3 meters in length. In the second half of summer and early autumn, as a rule, they are well-fed. But in any case, you can’t tempt fate and let down your guard.

How to behave when meeting a bear

You can meet bears in many places in Kamchatka when traveling outside the city. The largest population lives on Kuril Lake , feeding on spawning salmon in August. There are special viewing platforms for tourists.

In the case of other inhabitants, the opposite is true. Killer whales, sperm whales, gray and humpback whales are not found near every volcano. In the summer they swim to the western coast of the Pacific Ocean to feed. Whales can be seen on a boat trip through the waters of Avacha Bay or on special tours, the staff of which track their movements. The most likely places of occurrence include the waters of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve and the Commander Islands .

Steller sea lions on a boat trip to Russian Bay Photo: © acvazul-v2010

During a boat excursion to Starichkov Island or to Russkaya Bay, tourists get acquainted with sea lions , less often seals and walruses , as well as various seabirds . On the high rocky slopes of the island, huge colonies of elders, puffins, and guillemots nest; cormorants and Steller's sea eagles are found in smaller groups.

The easiest way for a tourist to communicate is with female eurasians . Under the cute name lies an equally good-natured gopher, characteristic of Chukotka, Kamchatka and Alaska. Friendly animals peeking out of their holes cordially accept edible gifts from guests. They live in tundra and meadow areas with short grass - in Kamchatka these are the slopes of volcanoes and mountains, so they are common.

Evrazhka Photo: © Natalia Konnova

, tarbagans, black-capped marmots, also live there . They are easily recognized by their larger size and black and brown coat. A popular place to get acquainted with rodents is the pass between two volcanoes, which you pass while climbing Avachinskaya Sopka .

Meetings with fire foxes , whose rich red outfit is clearly visible on the slopes of volcanoes, take place peacefully. Foxes living near hiking trails are also not averse to being treated to a tasty handout, but it is advisable not to feed the animals in order to preserve their natural way of life.

Fox Photo: © Galina Gorshenina

Museums of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Most museums in the city accept visitors by appointment.

What to see first in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky? Take your time to explore all its attractions in a row. Check out the museums first; it will really change your entire trip for the better. After them, a walk around the city, climbing volcanoes and even dinner at a local restaurant will become much more meaningful and interesting. But before visiting, don’t forget to call there: in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, most museums accept visitors by appointment.

Museums dedicated to the history and culture of Kamchatka

- they will tell you who lived here and how a hundred, three hundred, thousand years ago.

The Local History Museum houses ancient household items, tools and stuffed animals.

Museum of Local Lore.

Here you can learn about the culture of the indigenous peoples of the peninsula: the exhibition includes national costumes, household items, ancient tools, leather boats, stuffed animals and skeletons of animals, such as mammoth tusks and a walrus skull. The architecture of the museum building itself is also interesting: it is one of the few examples of wooden architecture in the city.

Address: st. Leninskaya street, 20.

The halls of the “City of Military Glory” contain guns, military equipment, archival photographs and front-line diaries of veterans

"City of Military Glory".

Historical exhibition center dedicated to the military history of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Here you will learn about the exploits of Petropavlovsk residents during the Crimean and Great Patriotic Wars, about the events of 1917, as well as how the peninsula was developed by the Russian Cossacks. The halls display guns, military equipment, badges of honor, archival photographs and front-line diaries of veterans. In the open park area there are captured Japanese military equipment and a monument to the crew of a sunken submarine.

Address: st. Radio communications, 69.

Art Museum

It is better to visit the art museum after getting acquainted with Kamchatka nature.

The works of Kamchatka artists and craftsmen are presented here: paintings, graphics, sculptures, photographs, ethnic fur and leather products. Perhaps this is the only museum that is better to visit not at the very beginning of your vacation in Kamchatka, in order to recognize already familiar views in the landscapes of local artists. The collections in the exhibition halls are regularly updated. In the museum shop you can buy quality souvenirs, such as an authentic Aleutian carpet or a beaded malachai.

Address: st. Leningradskaya, 100.

Museums dedicated to volcanoes

Attention and interest in volcanism is a specific feature of Kamchatka culture. Volcanoes are the symbol and pride of Kamchatka; they are depicted on the coat of arms and flag of the capital of the region. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is famous as one of the strongest centers of volcanology in the world, and local scientists have a lot to tell about their subject. Don't miss the chance to listen to them and ask questions about the topic.

The city has three museums whose exhibitions are dedicated to volcanoes.

There are three museums in the city, the exhibitions of which are dedicated to volcanoes. After visiting one of them, you will already know what you have to deal with when climbing the hills.

Vulcanarium. An interactive and multimedia visitor center that shows what volcanoes are, what they are made of and how they erupt. Rock samples can be touched with your hands and examined under a microscope. The museum has its own cafe and shop with themed souvenirs.

Address: st. Klyuchevskaya, 34.

Scientific Museum of Volcanology.

A solid exhibition curated by the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The museum displays photographs and videos of eruptions, as well as a rich collection of volcanic rocks and minerals from different countries.

Address: Piipa Boulevard, 9.

Geological Museum.

Its exhibition contains products from major eruptions, such as volcanic bombs, lava and ash ejected by Plosky Tolbachik in 2012. Here you can expand your horizons about Kamchatka geology: learn about local minerals, admire the collection of rocks, ores and minerals.

Address: st. Beringa, 117.

Museum of the Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography

People come to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky for another pride of the peninsula - fish and seafood. You can try them in dozens of restaurants and cafes, and you can see them and find out what path they take before ending up on your plate in a thematic museum at a specialized scientific institute. In addition to salmon, flounder, perch and other commercial fish, specimens are collected here, for example, hairy crab, cuttlefish, sea tomato, blenny, and leatherback turtle. The exhibition includes models of fishing boats and antique diving suits. Museum staff will tell you how different species of marine life are raised, caught and protected.

Address: st. Embankment, 18.

Excursions

A significant part of excursions in Kamchatka take place in the summer season - from June to September, which is determined by weather conditions and, as a consequence, their availability. When choosing a program, familiarize yourself in detail with the nuances of the trip: transport, distances and overnight stays. Excursions of several hours, day trips and multi-day tours are organized by jeep, horseback, on foot or along rivers. Combis include different activities. Accommodation is provided at camp sites, hotels or tents.

Tourist parking at the Vilyuchinsky volcano Photo: © Larisa Kiseleva

The groups are accompanied by experienced guides. Where there is a high probability of meeting bears, they are joined by rangers or employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, so organized trips have important advantages.

With a tour you can visit all the places indicated earlier, and many more interesting, but remote corners, where it is better to go with a guide who knows the way and on special transport. For this reason, Kamchatka is one of the few regions of Russia where there is a demand for helicopter excursions. Some attractions are purposefully accessible only to tour groups, which helps limit human impact on nature.

Photo: © unix

Below is more information about the most popular destinations in Kamchatka.

Valley of Geysers

The Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka is the largest collection of geysers in Eurasia, not counting Iceland. This is a river valley, along the green and clayey slopes of which hot rivers and waterfalls run, as well as geysers hissing, steaming, seething and bubbling, mud lakes and fumaroles coming to the surface. The place is located on the territory of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve .

Visiting the valley is possible only in summer; only groups arriving during a one-day helicopter excursion are accepted, and less often - as part of large walking tours. Under the guidance of guides and rangers, tourists pass by large geysers, lakes, and viewing platforms, following wooden boardwalks.

Climbing volcanoes

Some Kamchatka volcanoes are active; on the way to the top, tourists will encounter caustic vapors and gases, steep screes of tuff, or treacherous glaciers. A local guide will show you the safe way to the top.

Sopka Mutnovskaya is considered more difficult to climb than its neighbor Gorely. There is no clear peak; it is formed by several funnels, making the landscape here especially beautiful. On the rise there are fumarole fields, ice caves and evaporation rising above the ground.

On Mutnovskaya Sopka Photo: © Elena Butorina

The name of another volcano is probably familiar to you. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the highest active volcano in Eurasia and reaches 4800 m. Climbing to the top is even more difficult, so most tourists are taken to the foot. The surroundings of Klyuchevskoye are very picturesque, you can see the Bezymyanny and Kamen , which also have a height of over 4 thousand m.

Jeep tours with walking excursions are carried out on the slopes of the Tolbachik volcano , located in the Klyuchevsky group . One of its two peaks is active; the last eruption occurred in 2012. During the excursion, guests get acquainted with the bizarre landscapes, red and black slag, lava rivers and faults. A famous landmark of Tolbachik is the Dead Forest of tree skeletons in a deserted area covered with ash.

One of the craters of the Tolbachik volcano Photo: © Olga Mabuta

Shiveluch is located north of other active volcanoes in Kamchatka and is highly active. Only in the 2000s. it has erupted more than ten times. You may be lucky to catch this process. Tourist groups are taken to one of the domes of Shiveluch to see the unusual landscapes formed by fresh volcanic activity. The trip is organized in the format of jeep tours with walking excursions.

Kuril Lake

Kuril Lake is one of the largest in Kamchatka (diameter 9–10 km). It lies in the southern part of the peninsula and belongs to the territory of the South Kamchatka Nature Reserve. The reservoir is a spawning place for salmon - whales, pink salmon, coho salmon and especially sockeye salmon, where they are followed by many birds and bears. On the lake, tourists are given a convenient and guaranteed opportunity to watch bears without distracting them from fishing.

Boat excursions and fishing

Sea excursions and cruises will introduce you to the nature of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. You will be able to see many birds and sea lions, meet whales and be sure to try seafood delicacies. Many cruises and fishing tours allow tourists to go fishing on their own. Salmon, flounder, perch, greenling and other Kamchatka fish become trophies.

On a boat trip Photo: © Natalia Konnova

Sea excursions for several hours, a day or several are carried out on boats and yachts, some include SUP riding, kayaking and even diving with sea lions. The venue most often becomes the water areas of Avachinskaya , Russkaya , Listvenichnaya bays , which are distinguished by particularly expressive landscapes, waterfalls, and lakes.

Another type of water tours is rafting on the rivers of Kamchatka from 1 to 8 days. They are held only in summer. The most popular rivers are Avacha and Bystraya: simple, pleasing with the variety of landscapes and located near the capital of the region. More rare are rafting trips along the Icha and Opala routes. Along the way, you'll be able to see bears, birds, and spawning salmon. Fishing and fish dishes are also an integral part of these routes.

Rafting on the Kamchatka River Photo: © Larisa Kiseleva

Horse rides

An interesting way to explore the incredible nature of Kamchatka is horseback riding and tours from 3-6 hours to a week. Of course, you don’t conquer volcanoes on horseback, but you do see colorful valleys and dead forests at their feet, climb the slopes of hills and walk along river beds, travel through the tundra and among the ancient forests of the peninsula.

Horseback riding often starts from tourist centers in the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky area. There are many tours along the Avacha River valley with a visit to the Aquarium tract or the island section of the Medvezhiy Ugol . There are options for visiting the surroundings of the Lysaya and Triangle , the “home” volcanoes of the capital and the Nalychevo natural park . When choosing a horse riding tour, pay attention to the difficulty.

All excursions around Kamchatka on Experts Tourist. RU

Horseback riding tour to the Ichinsky volcano Photo: © Olga Mabuta

What to see in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky can captivate you with its landscapes, but next to natural attractions it contains man-made ones. Since the city is small, they can be explored in one or two days, excluding trips outside the city.

Avacha Bay

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was built from the shores of Avacha Bay, so the historical center of the city faces it. From here on the opposite side you can see volcanoes and the city of Vilyuchinsk. The bay area is 215 km² - it is the second largest natural bay in the world after Port Jackson, Australia.

Within Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, you can walk along the edge of the waves on the embankments near Ozernovskaya Spit or behind Nikolskaya Sopka. There are benches for vacationers, from which it is convenient to admire the sunset. On the pebbles after low tide you can find shells and starfish.

Coordinates: 53.025856, 158.641646; 53.019636, 158.640870.

Every winter, seals set up a rookery on the abandoned pier of Mokhovaya Bay.

If you go a little north, near Mokhovaya Bay you will find a sea lion rookery

- eared seals. From October to March they bask on the abandoned pier of the Fish Canning Factory. Locals are used to them, but in fact, close proximity between seals and people is a rare occurrence. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and American Seattle are the only cities in which this can be seen.

It is prohibited to get too close to sea lions, but you can watch them from the shore, take photographs and throw fish to them.

Coordinates: 53.063074, 158.566879

Nikolskaya Sopka

A favorite vacation spot for Petropavlovsk residents and a historically significant landmark. The hill is interesting for its long-term forest of stone birches: some of the trees are older than the city itself. In addition, at the top of the hill there is a view from above of Avachinskaya Bay and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky itself.

The park on Nikolskaya Sopka opened after reconstruction in 2019.

The park on Nikolskaya Sopka opened after reconstruction in 2021: it has new paths, benches, lanterns, stationary toilets, and a food court and souvenir shops in the center. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the park.

On the slopes of the hill there is a Memorial Complex for the Defense of Petropavlovsk. This is a group of monuments dedicated to the victory over the Anglo-French fleet in 1854. Among them, the necropolis stands out - a mass grave with a stone monument-chapel. On the right side of the chapel, the defenders of the city are buried, on the left - the military of the Anglo-French fleet.

Coordinates: 53.020208, 158.641567

central square

Lenin Square is located on the shore of Avacha Bay, at the foot of Nikolskaya Sopka. On holidays people gather here for celebrations, concerts, parades, and sporting competitions. Nearby is the regional administration building and the theater, and the square itself, in addition to the traditional monument to Lenin

decorates
the stele “City of Military Glory”
.

Coordinates 53.024153, 158.646167

Kultuchnoye Lake

On the shore of Lake Kultuchnoye there is a monument to Peter and Paul and a monument to V.S. Zavoiko.

The lake is located in the central part of the city between Nikolskaya, Mishennaya and Petrovskaya hills. It is separated from the bay by a narrow strip of embankment. It’s worth a walk by the lake to see the monument to Peter and Paul

- the holy apostles who gave the name to the city, and
a monument to V.S.
Zavoiko - to the governor of Kamchatka, who defended Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in 1854.

Coordinates: 53.025504, 158.644235

Observation deck on Mishennaya Sopka

The top of Mishennaya Sopka is the highest point in the city.

The top of Mishennaya Sopka is the highest point in the area, from it you can clearly see Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Avachinskaya Bay and volcanoes. People often go here for walks, picnics, watch the sunrise and see off the sun at sunset. Getting to the hill is not difficult, because... it is in the center. The hike to the main observation point will take about half an hour. There are signs, a gazebo and a wooden crown ledge where people usually take photos with the city and bay in the background.

Coordinates: 53.041945, 158.638301

Temples and cathedrals

Trinity Cathedral, built in 2010, is considered the main temple of the city. It stands on a hill, so the gilded domes of the cathedral are visible from afar, especially on a sunny day, and from the platform on its territory there is an overview of new areas of the city. During construction, a capsule with a Certificate of Mortgage and the relics of the holy Vilna martyrs was placed in the temple. Icon painters from Volgodonsk and Sergiev Posad were invited to paint the walls. Nearby, in the building of the former Rodina cinema, there is another temple - the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Address: st. Vladivostokskaya, 18.

Around

Several interesting natural objects are located in the waters of the Avachinsky Bay: the symbol of the city is the Three Brothers Rocks - vertical stone blocks guarding the entrance to the bay; Starichkov Island, home to rare bird species; Babushkin Island

stone with caves and grottoes. But to see them, you will have to leave the city on a rented boat or as part of an excursion.

The length of Khalaktyrsky beach is 30 km.

By car or snowmobile from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky you can reach the 30-kilometer Khalaktyrsky beach with black volcanic sand. It is located on the east coast of the peninsula and overlooks the open Pacific Ocean. In summer, people come to the beach to sunbathe, play beach volleyball, swim in the cool water or ride a board - there are two surfing schools for adults and children. There is also a visitor center with a café, gift shop and exhibition area. In winter, Khalaktyrsky Beach is not so crowded, but tourists still come to it for the contrasting landscape and acquaintance with the Pacific Ocean.

Coordinates: 53.113330, 159.105011

If you want to admire the coast and ocean from above, you can climb Mayachny Cape - this is a rocky outcrop at the entrance to Avachinskaya Bay. There is an active Peter and Paul Lighthouse on it. The path to the cape passes through the wild beaches of the bay and an observation deck with the best views of the Three Brothers rocks.

Coordinates: 52.886695, 158.704381

City churches and cathedrals

Of course, there are not as many churches in the city, where just over 180 thousand people live, as in Smolensk or, say, Belgorod. However, local churches and cathedrals have their own special charm, which tourists will undoubtedly appreciate.

Trinity Cathedral

Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 19:00.
Telephone.
Address: st. Vladivostokskaya, 18. Transport stop “Vladivostokskaya Street”.

The magnificent five-domed cathedral, shining with gilded domes, was consecrated, to the delight of parishioners, in 2010. With its architecture, it resembles the beautiful churches of Vladimir and Veliky Novgorod. White rounded wall portals, high light drums and other characteristic features characteristic of the Old Russian style are noticeable at first glance. The temple is massive and majestic. The height of the building is 42 m, it can simultaneously accommodate 3 thousand people. During the construction of the cathedral, unique engineering solutions were used, thanks to which the structure can withstand an earthquake with an amplitude of 10 points.

Church of Peter and Paul

Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 20:00.
Telephone.
Address: st. Panfilova, 30. Transport stop "TSUM".

The church in the name of the apostles Peter and Paul was erected in 1826. Initially, it had a slightly different exterior, and acquired its current appearance at the beginning of the last century. During the harsh times of persecution of religion, the property of the temple was confiscated, and the building was converted into a cinema. This state of affairs continued until 1992, when the authorities decided to return the church to the believers. In order to restore its exterior and interior decoration, serious restoration work was required. After their completion, the temple looks magnificent.

St. Nicholas Church

Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 20:00.
Telephone.
Address: st. Vladivostokskaya, 19. Transport stop “Vladivostokskaya Street”.

By the end of the last century, the city began to feel a shortage of Orthodox religious institutions. The construction of the Trinity Cathedral was just being planned, and the needs of the believers had to be met as quickly as possible. In 1995, the authorities transferred the building of the Rossiya cinema to the diocese, on the basis of which a Spiritual and Educational Center was established. People go to the newly opened church, consecrated in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, not only to pray. The building is equipped with classrooms and a library.

What to do in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

When all the sights have been photographed, the museums explored, and walking around the city is no longer enough, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky still finds ways to entertain its guests.

Leisure

Skiing or snowboarding.

In winter, several ski resorts are open within the city, one of which is located in the very center, on Petrovskaya Sopka. Extreme sports enthusiasts also go down unequipped city slopes, for example from Mishennaya Hill.

Snowmobiles provide access to most attractions around the city.

Snowmobiling.

You can rent a snowmobile and drive it yourself or ride as a passenger, including in sledges - Kamchatka sleighs. In winter, tourists travel by snowmobile to most attractions around the city.

Sea fishing.

In the waters of Avachinskaya Bay they catch cod, flounder, pollock, perch, huge halibut, crabs, sea urchins, and octopuses. Fishing with rental of water transport is carried out at any time of the year. In winter, when the small bays freeze, you can go ice fishing.

Roller skating.

In the indoor roller skating rink on Toporkova Street you can rent roller skates and skate with the whole family. The building has slot machines and a cafe.

Cultural entertainment

In bad weather, you can relax in one of the city's cultural spaces.

If you don’t know what to do in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, when you just need to wait out the bad weather, you can spend time usefully in one of the city’s cultural spaces.

Drama and Comedy Theater.

The first theater in Kamchatka was founded before the revolution, in 1914. Musical fairy tales, romantic comedies, and historical dramas are staged here; performances for children and adults; on classics and modern works. Tourists may be interested in productions that refer to Kamchatka themes, for example the play “August. 1854".

Address: st. Leninskaya, 75.

The Puppet Theater shows both children's and adult performances.

Puppet Theatre.

Petropavlovsk residents bring children here to introduce children to theatrical culture, and they come themselves to watch adult performances. The repertoire includes productions based on classic fairy tales, such as “Pinocchio,” and modern literature, for example, “Anchutka” based on the play by Budimir Metelnikov.

Address: st. Maksutova, 42.

Cinemas.

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky there are several cinemas scattered in different parts of the city: in the city itself, "Pyramid" - a little to the north, "Lemonade" - closer to the exit in the northwest.

Loft "Park of Culture".

The first cultural center of this format in the Far East. Opened in the building of a former telephone exchange. Concerts, exhibitions of contemporary art, workshops, lectures, and fashion parties are held here.

Address: Pobeda Ave., 12.

Lava caves

The famous lava caves of Gorely volcano are located 75 km away. from the city, in the northern part of the volcano, their age is 2,000 years. The longest cave has a length of 140 m, and the shortest is 16 m; there are currently 14 caves in total.

They appeared as a result of frequent volcanic eruptions. Lava flowed down the slopes in a rapid stream and, as the upper layer cooled, peculiar grottoes formed. The caves most visited by tourists are called “Dark” and “Grotto”.

There are lava caves in the area of the Tolbachik volcano; there are a little more than 10 caves there. The last of them were opened after the 2013 eruption. Not all caves are accessible for visiting, since in some the air temperature reaches -20–30 °C.

The highest cave is called “Kholodnaya”, the height of the vault is more than 10 m. The “Beautiful” cave got its name for the many multi-colored stalactites on the ceiling. You can get to the volcanoes by car or helicopter. The ascent will take from 3 to 6 hours and is suitable even for tourists who do not have special training.

Vilyuchinsk

Vilyuchinsk is the smallest of the Kamchatka cities, the only one in which the population is not declining every year, but is increasing. Today almost 22 thousand people live here.

Vilyuchinsk is known as the city of submariners. Back in the 30s, a large diesel submarine base was created here. Today, nuclear submarines of various projects are also based in Vilyuchinsk.

The city has a technical school and four secondary schools, a cultural center, a large library and its own museum. A water park was built here in 2007, and an ice center in 2010.

Merits of the city's rear

Victory in the war would have been impossible without the support of the home front. Thousands of Kamchatka residents participated in the creation of the country's defense fund and helped the front in any way they could.

The collection of warm clothes and clothing for the Red Army soldiers was widespread in Kamchatka. In the towns and villages of the peninsula, hundreds of people, on their own initiative, donated hats, fur vests, mittens, backpacks, siskins, deer skins, seals and other warm clothes to special points.

The patriotism of the local population manifested itself most forcefully in the movement that was born in the days of fierce fighting at Stalingrad - raising funds for tank columns, aircraft, artillery batteries and other types of weapons for the Red Army. Thus, the noble reindeer herder I. Gilkakov contributed 30 thousand rubles for the construction of the Kamchatka Fisherman tank column. Soon the Chairman of the State Defense Committee I. Stalin thanked him: “Thank you, Innokenty Ignatievich, for your concern for the Red Army.”

Residents of the peninsula transferred funds for the construction of tank columns “Kamchatsky Fisherman”, “Soviet Kamchatka”, “named after the Komsomol”, “named after the 24th anniversary of the Red Army”, “Fighter of All-Union Education”, “Mother’s Revenge”, air squadrons “Kamchatka to the Front”, “Signalman” , a flight of ambulance planes and other weapons.

In total, 70 million rubles and 185,965 pieces of warm clothes for the soldiers of the active army were collected in Kamchatka for the defense fund and for the needs of the front. In addition, the workers of Kamchatka received more than 80 million rubles worth of government bonds, thousands of deer, hundreds of centners of fish products and food.

Residents of Kamchatka provided great assistance to the families of front-line soldiers. Several thousand warm clothes, pairs of shoes, 250 tons of agricultural products were given out free of charge, and over 1,000 apartments were repaired. Children from military families were placed in kindergartens and nurseries first. The families of soldiers were allocated the best plots for vegetable gardens, seed potatoes were allocated, firewood was supplied, and living conditions were improved. All this helped the soldiers fighting at the front and instilled in them confidence in the strength of the rear.

In 1941 - 1945 Fish production and agricultural sown area doubled, the gross harvest of potatoes and vegetables increased fourfold, the delivery of meat to the state increased sixfold, and fur procurement tripled.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War, according to the GKO resolution on universal compulsory military training of citizens of the USSR, almost 19 thousand people were trained in the general education units, including 15,830 riflemen, 1,400 snipers, 900 machine gunners, as well as mortarmen and tank destroyers. Thousands of Kamchatka residents acquired the profession of radio operators, radiotelegraph operators, nurses, and medical instructors.

Over four years, 23,292 residents of Kamchatka went to the front. In the absence of men, a heavy burden fell on the shoulders of women. Before the war, they often did not work in production, since in the 1930s the region's economy was just beginning to develop, and there were not enough jobs. And now women had to replace their husbands and brothers on the farm and in the field, fishing and at the machine.

The most significant military events associated with the city

The liberation of the Kuril Islands in 1945 was a consequence of political and military events on a global scale. After the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the question of the imminent surrender of Japan, as well as the future confrontation between the USSR and the USA, arose. If Japan had capitulated before the USSR occupied Southern Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, then we would not only have lost the opportunity to regain these territories, but also would have faced the threat of an American military presence directly on the Far Eastern borders. It was precisely because of this threat that the Kuril landing operation was carried out without proper preparation, which led to heavy losses on our part.

The 101st Rifle Division of Major General Dyakov, ships and vessels of the Peter and Paul Naval Base, ships of the merchant fleet and border troops, the 128th Mixed Aviation Division, and the 2nd Separate Bomber Regiment of Naval Aviation were involved in the operation.

The idea of the operation was to seize the enemy's main fortified bridgehead with a surprise landing on the island of Shumshu and thereby disrupt the Japanese defense system and subsequently occupy Paramushir, Shikotan and other islands of the Kuril ridge. To do this, it was necessary to crush the strong anti-landing defense created by the enemy with a developed system of pillboxes, bunkers, trenches and anti-tank ditches. The depth of engineering structures reached 3 km. The total number of enemy troops in the Kuril Islands exceeded 80 thousand people. On the island of Shumshu alone, the Japanese had about 8,500 soldiers and officers, up to 100 guns and mortars, 60 tanks and could quickly concentrate up to 23 thousand people here.

The landing operation on the Kuril Islands was prepared in an exceptionally short time - within 24 hours. During this time, it was necessary to make a decision, give the necessary combat orders, concentrate transport and landing craft, and deliver units of the 101st Infantry Division to the loading points. Thanks to the clear and skillful organization of the work of commanders and staffs, the dedication of all personnel and the population of the Kamchatka region, all this was done.

By the end of August 16, troops with military equipment loaded onto ships, which at 4 o'clock the next day left Avachinskaya Bay for Shumshu Island. On the lead ships there was an advance detachment consisting of a battalion of marines under the command of Major Pochtarev, a company of machine gunners under Senior Lieutenant Inozemtsev, sapper and mortar companies, chemical defense platoons and reconnaissance officers. Other ships and vessels housed the 138th Infantry Regiment, two artillery regiments and one anti-tank fighter division, which made up the first echelon of the landing force; the 373rd Infantry and 279th Artillery Regiments were part of the second echelon of the landing force. In total, 8,824 people were taken onto the ships and vessels, 205 guns and mortars, as well as other equipment and equipment were loaded.

At 4:30 a.m. on August 18, the landing of an advance detachment began in the northeastern part of Shumshu Island on a 3-kilometer strip between Capes Kokutan and Kotomari. Under cover of darkness and thick fog, the landing craft approached close to the shore, riflemen and machine gunners crossed the 150-200-meter coastal shallows and immediately captured the first and second trenches, which turned out to be not occupied by the enemy. Then machine gunners, mortar men and armor-piercing men stepped onto the rocky Kuril soil.

Within an hour, the advance detachment advanced into the interior of the island up to 2 km. Only then did the Japanese discover the landing. Enemy coastal batteries opened heavy fire on the approaching ships with his main forces. The Japanese command tried by all means to disrupt the landing. The enemy infantry took an intermediate position on the approaches to heights 165 and 171, the capture of which opened the way for the paratroopers deeper into the island. The Japanese tried to stop our soldiers here and, by pulling up forces, destroy them in the ravine. However, despite the stubborn resistance of the enemy, the forward detachment completed its immediate task - the bridgehead for landing the main landing forces was captured.

Having established that the landing force was insignificant in number and did not have artillery directly in its ranks, the enemy launched a counterattack with the strength of a battalion and pushed the advanced detachment to the foot of the height. At this time, units of the 138th Infantry Regiment approached the battlefield and, despite shell explosions and hail storms, stubbornly moved forward. When there were several tens of meters left to the enemy fortifications, the Japanese opened fire from all types of weapons.

By the end of August 18, the main landing forces had landed, and at night the unloading of field artillery and transport began. This was facilitated by the defeat of enemy batteries at Cape Kokutan and Kotomari. By 11 o'clock on August 19, everything was ready for a decisive offensive to capture the entire island. But at this time, the Japanese command announced that units of the 91st Infantry Division would cease hostilities by 16:00. However, when the Soviet ships entered the Second Kuril Strait, artillery fire fell on them. Then the Soviet units launched a general offensive and drove the Japanese across the Mari-Gawa River. The coastal defenses near Kataoka and Kashiwabara were attacked by aircraft of the 128th Air Division. At noon on August 22, Japanese units began to surrender their weapons.

The liberation of Shumshu was a decisive event in the entire Kuril operation. The northern islands of the Greater Kuril Ridge, up to and including Iturup, were occupied without much effort by the troops of the Kamchatka defensive region, and all the islands south of it were occupied by the troops of the 16th Army, transported on ships from South Sakhalin. By September 1, the liberation of all the islands of the Kuril chain was completed. In total, up to 60 thousand Japanese soldiers and officers were disarmed and captured.

The Russian lands, stretching for 1 thousand km from the southern tip of Kamchatka to Hokkaido, ceased to be a springboard for aggression against our country and began to serve the cause of Russian defense.

Flora and fauna

There are 1,200 plant species growing in Kamchatka. The most common tree is the Erman birch. There are larches, spruces and firs. You can find bird cherry, elderberry and rowan. The peninsula is famous for wild berries. Blueberries, crowberries, lingonberries, cranberries, cloudberries, princelings, redberries grow here in abundance - you can’t list them all! Local grasses are so lush and tall that they sometimes form thickets up to three meters high.

As befits a coastal region, the main asset of Kamchatka is fish and other inhabitants of the underwater world. Along the coast there are a lot of shellfish, shrimp, and huge crabs. There are seals, walruses, fur seals. The fish is represented by the families of flounder, cod, smelt, greenling, salmon and others. The rivers are no less rich in fish. They contain grayling, omul, char, mykiss and other “delicacies”.

Kamchatka has a huge deposit of red caviar

The owners of the taiga and the main fishermen are bears. During the spawning period, up to two hundred clubfoot can gather on the banks at the same time. They are passionate about salmon fishing. If fishing is successful, a feast is held right on the shore. Animals are not afraid of humans, so extreme caution should be used. But the vivid impressions of bear fishing will never be forgotten.

Master of the taiga

It is worth mentioning the fauna of the Commander Islands, which belong to Kamchatka. This is the rare case when the fingers of one hand are enough to count the inhabitants of the animal world. Here you can find blue fox, red vole, gray rat, American mink and reindeer. But in coastal waters there are as many as twenty species of whales - sperm whales, killer whales, humpback whales and others.

Perpetuating memory (Main monuments related to the Second World War)

Monument-obelisk to the soldiers of the Soviet army - liberators of the Kuril Islands in 1945 from the Japanese militarists.
A monument to the T-34 tank, erected in honor of the construction of the Kamchatka Fisherman tank column at the expense of Kamchatka residents during the Great Patriotic War.
The Monument to the “Grieving Mother” is a monument to those who died during the Great Patriotic War.
Monument to the border guard sailors who died in battle while protecting the state border of the USSR on August 6, 1945.
Stele "City of Military Glory".

Protected by the state

Kamchatka has three nature reserves, five natural parks and two wildlife sanctuaries. The most famous is the Kronotsky Nature Reserve - one of the oldest in the country. However, other protected areas deserve attention. For example, the southern part of Kamchatka was declared a reserve at the end of the 19th century. Currently, the South Kamchatka Nature Reserve is located here. It includes not only land, but also the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk.

Protected area

Among his hits, it is worth noting the Kuril crater lake. It's hard to believe that a volcano once raged on the site of the water surface. Photographers and artists love to come here. The active Ilyinsky volcano is located nearby. Previously, lava flowed down the slopes directly into the lake, which created picturesque bays. And now every August the water seems to boil. However, lava has nothing to do with it. Up to 5 million sockeye salmon come to Kuril Lake to spawn!

The reserve has thermal springs. The water temperature in some does not exceed plus 45 degrees. Quite comfortable conditions for taking a bath! The location of natural thermal baths can be easily identified by the columns of steam. There are also cold mineral springs, nicknamed "White Falls". Aluminum oxide gives water a white color. It seems as if milk is oozing from cracks in the rocks. This is where “milk rivers with jelly banks” appeared in fairy tales!

Another protected area is the Commander Islands. They were named after the polar explorer Vitus Bering. It was he who discovered the archipelago in 1741. The islands are part of the huge Aleutian Arc. Like a giant bridge, it connected two continents - Eurasia and North America. It's hard to believe that a chain of islands in the ocean are the peaks of a huge underwater mountain range.

The archipelago was formed due to violent volcanism

The archipelago was formed due to violent volcanism. Millions of years ago, real hell reigned here. However, the end result was excellent. The islands are so picturesque that they easily became UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 1993, the Komandorsky natural park appeared here.

The archipelago includes two large islands - Bering and Medny. The first has a length of 90 km and a width of 24 km. The only populated area is the village of Nikolskoye. Near the settlement there is Bering's grave. Copper Island is almost half the size. It was named after the native copper that was discovered during the first expedition. It is now uninhabited.

But the main wealth of the archipelago is its picturesque landscapes. There are more than sixty fantastic rocks along the coastline. The most spectacular of them are Dog Pillar, Beaver Rocks and Steller's Arch. The archipelago can be visited as a tourist. If you want to stay for a long time, get a job at the reserve.