The Northern Territories talk over the four islands of Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islands, placed among Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's Hokkaido. Russia calls them the Southern Kuriles, while Japan refers to them as the Northern Territories. Due to historical reasons and their strategic significance in phrases of resources and army, the territorial dispute between Russia and Japan over those islands remains unresolved.
Shikotan Island is situated in the northeastern part of the Habomai Archipelago. It stretches 28 kilometers long and 9 kilometers wide, masking a place of approximately 260 square kilometers. One of its super functions is its fantastically indented shoreline, which boasts numerous bays and harbors. The island is predominantly grassy, with a thriving farm animal industry. The island's vegetation is elegant and bright in color, glittering within the frequent rains of the Kuril Islands, which gives it an almost surreal appearance, as though more desirable through the photo-modifying software program. With the addition of sheep and sunshine, it can effortlessly be fallacious for some other New Zealand—such as the vital areas of the New Zealand islands to a placing diploma.
Map of Shikotan Island
| Name | Shikotan Island (Russian: Остров Шикотан, Japanese: 色丹島／しこたんとう) |
| Country | Russia, Claimed by Japan |
| District | Yuzhno-Kurilsky |
| Coordinates | 43°48′N 146°45′E |
| Area | 225 km2 (87 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC +11 |
| Population | 2,100 |
| Heliport | N/A |
History of Shikotan Island
Japan have become aware of the Northern Territories, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands in advance of Russia, and by 1644, Japanese maps had already marked vicinity names inclusive of Kunashir and Etorofu. Following these discoveries, many Japanese people commenced touring the vicinity. The Matsumae extended family identified the Northern Territories as their area from the early 17th century and step by step established management over them.
Meanwhile, in the early 18th century, after consolidating control over the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russian forces extended their influence to the northern Kuril Islands, sooner or later getting into contact with Japan.
On February 7, 1855, Japan and Russia signed a treaty of trade, starting up diplomatic family members and defining their mutual borders. Even before the treaty was signed, Russian Emperor Nicholas I himself acknowledged the border as being "among Etorofu and Urup Islands." During the treaty negotiations, Russian Admiral Putyatin additionally showed that "after thorough research, it's far clear that Etorofu belongs to Japan," ensuring a peaceful and friendly agreement between the two international locations.
In 1875, Japan ceded the whole thing of Sakhalin to Russia in exchange for the Kuril Islands through the Treaty of St. Petersburg. Article 2 of the treaty listed the 18 islands, from Shimushu to Urup, that Japan could acquire from Russia.
These historical data sincerely display that the 4 Northern Territories—Etorofu, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islands—have been by no means Russian territory, underscoring their distinction from the Kuril Islands.
On August 9, 1945, the Soviet Union, brushing off the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact signed in 1941, declared conflict with Japan. On August 18, Soviet troops landed on Shimushu, the northernmost Kuril Island, just four days after Japan common the Potsdam Declaration and surrendered to the Allies on August 14. The Soviet forces were superior southward, and by August 31, they had seized Urup, the southernmost Kuril Island.
Additionally, some other Soviet units occupied Etorofu on August 28, and between September 1 and five, they took manage of Kunashir, Shikotan, and the entire Habomai organization.
At the give up of the conflict, around 17,000 Japanese citizens have been dwelling on the 4 islands south of Etorofu. Roughly 1/2 of them fled at some point in the Soviet career, however, the remaining citizens were forcibly expelled between 1947 and 1948, detained on Sakhalin, and later returned to Hakodate.
Even nowadays - 80 years after the warfare, these 4 Northern Islands stay beneath Russia’s illegal career.
Attractions of Shikotan Island
The call Shikotan Island derives from the Ainu language, meaning "the best island." The island is domestic to around 2,000 citizens, who stay in two villages—Malokurilskoye (Shikotan Village) and Krabozavodskoye.
If you have ever been to New Zealand, and one day you awaken on Shikotan Island, you may experience as in case you've been transported back to New Zealand. The resemblance is uncanny!
There aren't any sprawling volcanoes right here, however as a substitute great grasslands, low green bamboo, picturesque landscapes, and trees that appear meticulously arranged as if by using design.
The plant life is remarkably orderly and vibrant, glistening inside the constant rain of the Kuril Islands (it rains right here year-round), providing you with the effect that the scenery has been greater via Photoshop. Add in a few sheep and sunshine, and it can without difficulty bypass another New Zealand.
Tons of agate stones are scattered alongside the shore and in the surrounding waters, mendacity deserted like hidden treasures waiting to be observed.
Cape Krai Sveta (literally that means "Edge of the World") and its lighthouse are virtually well worth exploring.
Interestingly, Shikotan is said to be the best island within the Kurils wherein snakes have ever been found. Additionally, an extraordinary and unusual plant, regionally referred to as ipritka, grows on Shikotan, in addition to being close to Kunashir and Etorofu islands. The pollen (or oil) of this plant can cause intense allergies, and make contact with it consequences in excruciating signs—together with intense burns.
How to Get to Shikotan Island
Traveling to Shikotan Island on your own might be somewhat challenging; however, you can join group tours, such as the one listed below. Please note that you will need to obtain a Russian visa before departure.
Climate of Shikotan Island
Shikotan Island reviews temperate maritime weather influenced by monsoons, with an average annual rainfall of 1,240 mm. The southeastern coast is cooler and greater humid as compared to the northwest. The Pacific coast is substantially colder because of the frigid waters of the Kuril Current.
The warmest month on Shikotan Island is August, with an average everyday temperature of 16.3°C, presenting pretty snug situations. Winters on the island are snowy but milder than on the mainland. February is the coldest month, with a mean temperature of -5.2°C, whilst the yearly average temperature is 5.2°C.
The island's climatic conditions are normally favorable for supplementary agriculture, and appropriate for elevating cattle, sheep, chickens, and rabbits.
