Kamchatka is a place where nature remains almost untouched and every step reveals the grandeur of a wild land. Almost 12% of the region is protected by reserves and natural parks. From snow-capped volcanoes to endless forests and valleys where rivers run as freely as they did thousands of years ago — everyone finds something here.
Wild and majestic
Kamchatka is a vast peninsula in the Russian Far East, stretching about 1,200 km from north to south. To the north it borders the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug; its western shores are washed by the cold Sea of Okhotsk.
At its widest, the peninsula is about 440 km across. It connects to mainland Russia through a narrow isthmus only 93 km wide.
The interior is crossed by two great ranges — the Sredinny and the Vostochny — with the Central Kamchatka Lowland between them. The Kamchatka River, around 758 km long, flows through it.
Kamchatka is famous for its bays — Avacha and Kronotsky among them. Avacha Bay is one of the largest in the world. The volcanoes Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4,750 m) and Koryaksky draw travellers from around the globe.
Weather is extremely varied. The interior has a continental climate — harsh winters to −40 °C and warm summers up to +30 °C. The coasts are maritime, with winter averages near −15 °C and summers rarely above +15 °C.
From antiquity to the Russian pioneers
Survival in ancient times
Kamchatka has been settled for around 13,000 years. The first camps stood on the shore of Lake Bolshoye Ushkovskoye. Settlers hunted, fished, gathered and domesticated dogs.
In the Neolithic, Kamchatka lived through six powerful eruptions. A major innovation was pottery — the oldest fragments date to 6,679–4,406 years ago.
Indigenous peoples
The peninsula is home to Koryaks, Itelmens, Evens, Aleuts and Chukchi — each with its own culture and language.
Koryaks live across the north and centre. Their dwellings — yarangas — are round tents of reindeer hide. In summer, the coastal Nymylan groups used to hunt whales in Penzhina Bay.
Itelmens live in the south-west, along the Sea of Okhotsk. Their culture is built on fishing, especially salmon. Their dwellings are split between winter pit houses and light summer structures.
Evens were reindeer herders and hunters. Their dwellings — conical chums. Old taboos still hold: no hunting of wolf, eagle or swan.
Aleuts traditionally hunt marine mammals. Their skin-covered baidarkas let them travel far into the open sea.
Chukchi are split into maritime and reindeer groups. They are known for epic tales and intricate ornament work on clothing.
First Russian pioneers
Russian exploration of Kamchatka began in the 17th century. In 1697 the Cossack Vladimir Atlasov led the expedition that brought the peninsula into Russia.
In April 1779 the British circumnavigation of James Cook — by then commanded by Charles Clerke — reached Petropavlovsk. Clerke died on 11 July and was buried in the town with military honours.
Natural wealth and wildlife
A unique fauna
Over 200 bird species and 38 land mammals live here. The brown bear is the symbol of Kamchatka — around 15,000 of them roam the peninsula.
Birds and marine life
Cliff colonies host murres, puffins, cormorants and gulls. Coastal waters are home to sperm whales, humpbacks and orcas. All six species of Pacific salmon spawn in Kamchatka's rivers.
Fish — the gold of Kamchatka
Fishing accounts for more than 30% of Russia's total catch. Kamchatka roe and fish are prized worldwide for quality and purity.
Tourism: a land of adventure
The Valley of Geysers, the volcanoes of Klyuchevskaya, Avachinsky, Koryaksky and Mutnovsky, and the Paratunka and Malki hot springs all draw visitors year after year.
In closing
Kamchatka is a unique region — natural wealth, cultural diversity and remarkable potential. Protecting its ecological balance and respecting its heritage are the central tasks of this century.