About

Geography and Nature

Kamchatka Krai is part of the Far Eastern Federal District.It occupies the Kamchatka Peninsula and the adjacent continental areas, as well as the Commander Islands and the Island of Karaginsky. On the north-west Kamchatka Krai borders Magadan Region, on the north—Chukotsky Autonomous Area, and on the south—Sakhalin Region.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is washed by the Pacific Ocean along its eastern coast, the Bering Sea—along the north-east coast, and the Sea of Okhotsk—along the western coast.

The area of the Krai is 464,300 kilometers (2.7% of the area of the Russian Federation); of that 292,600 km are occupied by the Koryak Area.The Krai stretches almost 1,600 km from north to south.

The administrative center of the Krai is the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

464,300 kilometers

The area of the Krai

Kamchatka’s Volcanoes

Today there exist 30 active and 300 dormant volcanoes in Kamchatka. The definition of an “active” volcano is fairly blurry: any volcano that has a history of eruptions within the historically significant period is considered active. Some of the volcanoes last erupted 1,000 or even 4,000 years ago, and these volcanoes will have different status according to different classifications.

Rivers and Lakes

There are some 14100 rivers and streams in Kamchatka, of which most are under 10 km long; only 105 waterways are longer than 100 km. The two by far largest rivers are the Kamchatka (758 km) and the Penzhina (713 km). The average density of the drainage system is 0.77 km2, but in some areas the density does not exceed 0.6 km2. Although quite short, most rivers in Kamchatka are exceptionally full-flowing.

Natural Parks and Reserves

The nature reserve fund of Kamchatka consists of nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and parks. Today the Krai has 3 nature reserves, 5 nature parks, 13 wildlife sanctuaries, and 75 natural landmarks. The reserves in the area are subdivided into three classes: absolute, relative and mixed.

Fauna

The Kamchatka Peninsula currently is home to 37 animal species, including 30 indigenous species, 4 introduced species and 3 synanthropic species (house mice, gray and black rats). The forest and mountainous part of the Kamchatka is separated in the north from the nearest forests by the extensive area of Parapolsky Dol.The animal world of Kamchatka Krai is very diverse and includes 45 land mammals and 224 species of birds. Of those, 21 mammal and 39 bird species are huntable; hunting licenses can be obtained in due order.

Flora

The flora of Kamchatka is affected by a number of important factors: the area’s geographical position, the influence of humid oceanic climate, the mainly mountainous terrain, the historic development of landscapes, considerable influence of volcanoes and various related volcanic phenomena. The main tree species of Kamchatka Krai are stone birch, white birch, dwarf cedar, dwarf alder, Kuril (Kamchatka) larch (Kamchatka), and Ayan fir. The forest lands occupy 95.3% of the total land area of Kamchatka Krai; of those 19.0 mln hectares are covered by forests, and 26.2 mln hectares are barren.

Social Portrait, Religion

Kamchatka Krai is one of the least inhabited constituent territories of the Russian Federation. The average population density is quite low, just 0.7 persons per 1 km2 of the territory; considering that 78% of all people live in cities, the actual population density is even lower.

As of January 1, 2019 there were 314,700 people living in Kamchatka, with most of the population living in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky—Elizovo—Vilyuchinsk agglomeration. The rest of the population resides on the coast, which has to do with the fishing specialization of the local economy.

The peninsula is home to 134 nationalities, ethnicities and ethnic groups. Most of the population are Russian, followed by Ukrainians, Koryaks and other nationalities. Koryaks, Itelmen, Chukchi, Evens and Aleuts belong to indigenous nations of the region. Some sources say that Kamchatka’s indigenous populations have lived in the area for more than 12,000 years. Today those who come to visit the peninsula, will learn about the history, traditions and customs of the aborigines of Kamchatka as shown in museum collections, ethnocultural centers, and present-day settlements.

The indigenous people have not forgotten the languages of their ancestors although some of them speak Russian better than their native language.

315 000

population of the Krai

Pursuant to Law of Kamchatka Krai No. 361 dd. 16.12.2009, “On Holidays and Memorable Dates of Kamchatka Krai,” the following festivals and memorial dates have been established in Kamchatka Krai:

Alkhalalalay—Itelmen Nation’s holiday, last Sunday of September.
Khololo—Koryak Nation’s holiday, first Sunday of November.
Nurgenek—Evenki New Year—third Sunday of June.
Deer Breeder’s Day—first Sunday of March.
First Fish Day—first Sunday of June.
Beringia—2nd Saturday of March.

Additionally, every winter Kamchatka Krai hosts the Kamchatka Krai Northern Pentathlon, in which athletes compete in five traditional sports of Northern nations—triple jump, axe throwing, chaut throwing, jumps over sleds and running with a stick.

134

various nationalities

Economy and Production

The main types of economic activities that provide for most of the GRP volume are fishing and fish farming, processing industries; wholesale and retail trade, healthcare and social services, mining of natural resources, tourism.

In 2018 the mining enterprises delivered RUB 18,373,900 worth of products (95.1% year on year in current prices), the production index amounted to 97.7%. Recovery of natural gas increased by 2.9% and the recovery of raw materials for construction (granules, pebbles, grits) increased by 23.9% year on year.

worth of products were shipped

18,373.9 million RUB

Processing industries shipped RUB 102,134,200 worth of products, which is 111.9% as compared to 2017 in current prices. The production index amounted to 112.5%. A total of 95.2% of processing industry is taken up by food products.

112.5%

The production index

A total of RUB 97,218,600 worth of food products were shipped in 2018 (113.2% to the figures of 2017 in current prices), production index—115.1%. Growth has been observed in production of semi-prepared meat products (107.5%), bread and baked products (104.2%), mineral water (101.5%), sausage (100.7%), pastries (102.1%), cattle products (102.5%), cottage cheese and cheeses (101.1%). Decline was observed in production of beer (91.7%) and liquid processed milk (97.2%). Food products, with the exception of fish products are mostly produced for the regional market.

The volume of food industry products

97,218.6 million RUB

Fishing enterprises of Kamchatka Krai have caught the record-setting 1,563,000 tons of fish and sea food (130.0% as compared to 2017), the growth of the total catch of aquatic bioresources is due to favorable conditions in fishing areas and increased quotas for white salmon catch. The growing figures of 2018 have to do with the record catch of salmon.The catch of salmon in 2018 is 2.1 times as large as that of 2017, amounting to almost 500,000 tons.

1,563.2 thousand

tons of fish caught

The enterprises producing electricity, gas and steam delivered RUB 17,432,700 worth of products (103.8% of 2017 figures in current prices), production index stands at 101.0%. There was an increase in energy consumption observed among industrial and agricultural enterprises, including due to the conclusion of contracts and supply of electricity to large mining enterprises (Ametistovoye JSC, Kamgold JSC, KamchatskoyeZoloto JSC, Ozernovsky MMC LLC), fish processing factories (Vityaz-Auto LLC, Kolkhoz Oktyabr LLC, Skit LLC), and agricultural enterprises (APC Zaozerny, private entrepreneur M.V.Bondareva, S.A. Zudov Farm Household). Production of electricity grew by 1.8% as compared to 2017 and amounted to 1,824.5 million kWh.Production of thermal energy (steam and hot water) increased by 0.4% year on year, and amounted to 3,007.8 thousand Hcal.

Growth of energy consumption

101,0%

The agribusiness sector of the economy has been actively developing. Due to increased output of the cattle-breeding industry, total industrial output increased by 1.0%, and amounted to RUB 8,275.1 million.

8,275.1 million RUB

the gross output

The amount of investments into the capital stock in January-September 2018 amounted to RUB 39,278.7 million, or 107.4% of the amount for January-September 2017 in comparative prices.

39,278.7 million RUB

the volume of investments

The volume of works in the construction sector amounted to RUB 22,495.7 million. A total of 205 residential buildings with the total area of 35.5 thousand m2 were completed in 2018, all sources of financing included.

35.5 thousand m2

of housing were completed

The economic indicators for 2018 are as follows: per capita income in 2018 stands at RUB 45,034.5. The average nominal paid wages in Kamchatka Krai in 2018 amounted to RUB 73,895.6 (112.3% year on year), and the real paid pages amounted to 109.7%. Official unemployment figure as of the end of December 2018 is 2,600 people (1.4% of the entire workforce). The 2018 living per capita wage in Kamchatka in 2018 amounted to RUB 19,481 (for working population — RUB 20,494 rubles, for retirees — RUB 15,478, for children — RUB 20,943).

Macroeconomic indicators in Kamchatka Krai have been growing in 2018. The 2018 turnover in all types of economic activities amounted to RUB 316,574,600, which is 8.0% more year on year in current prices. The industrial production index amounted to 106.7%; growth has to do with increased production in processing industry, which amounted to 12.5%.

Transport Accessibility

Sea transport

Sea transport is being used to deliver all types of food, material and technical supplies and fuel. Sea transport enterprises represent the most important link in the transport sector of Kamchatka Krai. Most cargoes are delivered to the Krai via the seaports of Primorsky Krai to the seaport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

2500 km

to Vladivostok

The seaport in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky processes not only coastal and export-import cargoes. The borders of the seaport of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky includes terminals located in port points along the coast of Kamchatka Peninsula. Sea transport enterprises located within the borders of the port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky process more than 2.5 million tons of cargo a year, including around 300,000 tons of fish products, more than 350,000 tons of export and import cargoes.

to Khabarovsk

1700 km

Planes and helicopters

Aviation plays a decisive role in providing transport accessibility in Kamchatka as most passenger transportation between the Krai and other regions is done by planes. The air transport system of Kamchatka includes a federal-level airport in the town of Elizovo and a network of local airports located in various settlements.

Considering the complex mountainous relief of the land and the remote position of settlements and towns from the central city of the Krai, planes are the most convenient and reliable mode of transport. Elizovo Airport is the main arrival port in the Krai; the airport has international status.

12

aerodromes for local airlines (LAs)

Helicopters are also of great significance for Kamchatka, given the limited road infrastructure: helicopters are often used for passenger transportation within the peninsula, including transportation of tourist groups. Many landmarks of the area, including the Geyser Valley, the Kuril Lake and the entire territory of the former Koryak Autonomous Area, are virtually inaccessible for automobile transport.

4

heliports

The state register of Kamchatka Krai includes 12 aerodromes of local airlines (LAs), 22 landing sites.

6

types of aircraft

Most passengers and much of the cargo in Kamchatka Krai are served by two main enterprises: Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise JSC and Vityaz-Aero Aviation Company LLC.

The inter-municipal routes within the Krai are served by seven types of aircraft—four planes (Yak-40, L-410, An-28 and An-26), and three types of helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-8MTV-1, and Mi-2). The air transport fleet includes 43 aircraft.

37 units

air transport fleet

The central part of the peninsula has a relatively high-quality road network.Automobile transport carries out transportation of cargo and passengers in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vilyuchinsk townships, and provides municipal transportation services in Bystrinsky, Yelizovsky, Milkovsky, Tigilsky, Ust-Bolsheretsky and Ust-Kamchatsky municipal districts, and the township of Palana.

The Krai has one of the largest number of cars per capita among all Russian regions. Currently many local travel companies have their own all-terrain vehicles for passenger transportation. There are no railways in Kamchatka.

one of the largest number

of cars per capita among all Russian regions

Main Symbols of the Region

Coat of arms of Kamchatka Krai

Flag of Kamchatka Krai

Brown Bear

The Kamchatka brown bear is the largest of all bears of this species on the planet. The adult male may reach 800 kg in weight, with the height from the end of the tail to the tip of the nose reaching up to 3 meters. Annually hundreds of hunters from all over the world come to Kamchatka to hunt for the record trophy. The peninsula is home to some 20,000 brown bears. As visitors enter the territory of Kamchatka Krai along the main highway, they are greeted by the sculpture of a she-bear with several cubs.

Wild Salmon

All known species of pacific salmon breed in the waterways of Kamchatka. The diversity of species of salmon here is unique and unmatched anywhere in the world. The fishermen of Kamchatka annually catch some 150,000 tons of spring salmon, chum salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon and blueback salmon every year; in some years the catch may be as large as around 500,000 tons. Kamchatka salmon species are unique in that they grow wild; unlike the salmon bred at fishing farms, the wild salmon grow and mature in ecologically clean areas of the Pacific Ocean and eat no artificial feed.

Hot Springs

Bathing in hot springs is one of the most popular forms of recreation in Kamchatka. There are a total of more than 150 large hot springs on the peninsula. The nationally renowned hot springs include Paratunskie, Vilyuchinskie, Karymshinskie, Nalychevskie and Zelenovskie Lakes hot springs. All the hot springs in the Krai have their own mineral composition and temperature. Most of them are recommended by balneologists for treatment and prevention of a large range of conditions.

Kamchatka Crab

Kamchatka crab is often referred to as King Crab; it is the largest and most delicious crustacean species of the Far East. Its leg span can reach up to 1 meter, and some of the crabs can live to be 20–25 years old. The sweet meat of the Kamchatka crab is considered a prized delicacy all over the world. The Kamchatka crab is caught in the Sea of Okhotsk, to the west of the peninsula.

Dog Sleds

Dog sleds have been the main mode of transportation for indigenous people of Kamchatka for centuries. Today a dog sled is a symbol of Beringia Race, the state festival in Kamchatka Krai. Annually dog-sled racers from all over the world come to Kamchatka to race on their sleds for hundreds of kilometers in extreme weather conditions. The Beringia-2018 race, 2,101 km long, has been included in the Russian Book of Records as the longest dog-sled race in Eurasia.

Geyser Valley

The Geyser Valley on Kamchatka is the only geyser field of its kind in Eurasia and one of the largest geyser fields in the world. It is a large and long canyon with the never-freezing Geyzernaya River flowing through it; dozens of pulsating springs emitting columns of steam into the sky along its slopes. Discovered in 1941, the geyser Valley became the favorite pilgrimage sight for scientists and tourists from all over the world, renowned for its unique biosystem with uniquely high bundance and diversity of life. In 2007 the people of Russia voted the Geyser Valley to be one of Russia’s Seven Wonders.

Three Brothers Rocks

Three rocks, known as Three Brothers, welcome and see off visitors sailing into and out of the Avachinskaya Bay. These conical rocks are listed as natural monuments and serve as a symbol of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. According to a legend, three strong men shielded with their bodies the first settlement on the shore of the Avachinskaya Bay from a tsunami wave. The three brothers were turned to stone, and now they stand on their vigil, guarding the city from any dangers.

Avachinskaya Bay

Avachinskaya Bay is the second largest bay in the world, second only to the Bay of Guanabara near the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Avachinskaya Bay is large enough to anchor all the ships in the world at one time. The city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky stands on the northern side of the bay. The main base of strategic nuclear cruisers of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy is located along the southern coast of the bay. Rich underwater world attracts divers from all over the world. The bay is home to several species of star fish, sea urchins, lush sea anemones, colonial hydroids, sponges, sea cucumbers and 32 species of fish.

Kurile Lake

The Kurile Lake is the crater lake on the territory of Yuzhno-Kamchatsky Federal Nature Reserve, which has been included on the UNESCO List of Natural Heritage. Islands, formed by the lava from the crater of the previously active and now dormant volcano, rise above the surface of the sea. Kurile Lake is the largest breeding area in Eurasia of wild Pacific salmon, known as blue-backed salmon. The lake is also home for dozens of animal and bird species. The Kurile Lake also attracts up to 200 brown bears, who along with water otters and foxes come here to feast on nutritious and fat salmon.

Commander Islands

The Commander Islands consist of two large islands: Medny and Bering. The Medny Island is uninhabited, and the Island of Bering has the only residential area on these islands, the settlement of Nikolskoe. The nature of the islands is unique, with dozens of different land and sea mammals and hundreds of bird species. The mushrooms on the CommanderIslands are no less famous: there are few places on earth where porcini and aspen mushrooms are taller than trees: all the plants on the islands are of dwarf variety. Komandorsky Nature Reserve is a state natural biospheric reserve area located on the Commander Islands. It also includes the water area around the islands.

Home Volcanoes

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is one of the few cities in the world that boasts its own “home volcanoes.” These are the volcanoes of Avachinsky and Koryaksky, located 25 km away from the capital city of Kamchatka, and also Aag, Arik and Kozelsky volcanoes.
The foots of the “home volcanoes” attract many tourists with its Alpine meadow plants and unforgettable vistas. The Avachinsky Volcano is a popular site for fans of active tourism. The annual Volcano Day, part of the Tourism Days program, an official holiday of Kamchatka Krai, takes place here every year.

Ratings and Prizes

Various clubs based on Kamchatka have achieved high levels of professionalism and implemented major creative projects that received prizes on many all-Russian and international competitions. Some of them include Uykav Children’s National Ensemble of the Elizovo Municipal District (winner of the first prize in Beijing Star Festival of Children’s Creativity in Beijing); Oryakan Children’s National Ensemble of Bystrinsky District (winner of Grand Prix and 1st Place in the program of the 14th All-Russian National Festival—Great Russia Competition in Sochi); KORITEV Youth National Ensemble—the only ensemble of the Russian North at the Russia Show’s Cultural Program (World Youth and Student Festival in Sochi); Rus Cossack Folklore Ensemble (winner of four Grand Prix at the International Creative Forum and Planet of Arts Festival and Competition in Moscow and Sochi).

“Ocean,” a project of Kamchatka Krai won the top prize at the Fifth All-Russian Festival and Competition of Tourism Video Presentations “Russian Wonder-2018.”

In 2018 Kamchatka Krai ranked 32ndin the National Rating of the Investment Climate in Russian Regions (improving its position by 36 points).In 2019, Kamchatka improved the result by another four points and took 28th place, following the instructions of the President and getting into the top thirty.

Kamchatka Krai also ranks firstamong the regions of the Far East as the region with the cleanest drinking water. The results were published by the Russian Committee for Protection of Consumer Rights in the report entitled “On the State of Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the Population in the Russian Federation in 2017.”

The Golden Autumn—2018, 20th anniversary exhibition of agribusiness, is a platform for demonstrating achievements in cattle farming and breeding. Representatives of Kamchatka Krai, KKSE Kamchatgosplem, and Reindeer Breeding and Development LLC were recognized at the event and awarded gold medals and diplomas for “Excellent achievements in development of cattle breeding and livestock economy.”

Kamchatka Krai has also won the National Geographic Traveler Awards 2018. The Krai has been recognized the best region in Russia as the destination for tourism and recreation, ahead of Murmansk and Irkutsk Regions, Republics of Altai and Karelia.

Beringia, a race held in Kamchatka was recognized as the winner of the prestigious international EFEA Awards. In January 2019, the program of the VIII Eurasian Event Forum in St. Petersburg included the award ceremony of the annual independent prize for event organizers.

Kamchatka is in the top-20 and takes 17th place in the “Rating of the event potential of the Russian regions in 2018”. Rating is conducted by R&C Market Research Company.

In 2019, the Kamchatka-based tourism portal (www.visitkamchatka.ru) took the first placein PRObrand International Tourism Marketing Competition in two nominations: “Internet Branding: Portals, Sites” and “Video Branding: Territories.” The event was organized by ESOT, the Eurasian Commonwealth of Tourism Industry Specialists. More than 300 representatives of Russian regions, as well as representatives of Kazakhastan, Belarus and the Republic of Cyprus.

Main Events

Kamchatka Forum of Entrepreneurs

(takes place 2 times a year, in March and November). The Forum seeks to transform the business space and improve the conditions for business in the region, attracting the business community, bodies of government and development institutions. In three days of the Forum the participants can attend more than 20 workshops, seminars and roundtable discussions. The Forum discusses real cases, presented by invited experts and entrepreneurs.

Kamchatka Business Strategy and Management Cup

The Kamchatka Cup is the regional stage of the international Global Management Challenge, an international business championship, in which participants become top managers of major companies and compete with others to become the best on the market. The Cup is held with support of the Government of Kamchatka Krai. Regional Organizer—Kamchatka Exhibition and Investment Center.

Fairs, Festivals, etc.

Beringia dog-sled race

Beringia dog-sled race (February-March). Route of 2019—Settlement of Esso—Settlement of Ossora (1,500 km). The route changes every year.

Elizovo Autumn 2018

Elizovo Autumn 2018 is the annual exhibition and fair of Kamchatka manufacturers. It is the largest exhibition and fair of Kamchatka-based manufacturers, attended annually by more than 30,000 people. It is held annually in the early September on the central street of Elizovo.

Week of Culture and Tourism in Kamchatka

“Week of Culture and Tourism in Kamchatka” is a krai-wide event. It is held every year in September and October on different sites. The Week includes a series of various events that are significant for development and popularization of culture and tourism, promotion of traditional moral values and a healthy lifestyle among residents of Kamchatka and beyond. The event program includes various exhibitions, ethnocultural festivals and creative performances.