Cape Vankarem, cape in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Cape Vankarem is a headland on the northern coast of Chukotka that juts into the waters of the Chukchi Sea. The terrain consists of flat coastal areas with sandy beaches, low ridges, and lagoons, with the village of Vankarem situated at a lagoon entrance.
The region was explored by early expeditions such as Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld, who documented remains of old settlements and animal bones. The Chukchi community has maintained its traditional way of life for generations through hunting and fishing in these waters.
The name Vankarem comes from the Chukchi people who have long lived in this region. The local community organizes its life around the seasons and animal migrations, especially when walruses return to rest on the beaches.
Access is challenging and usually requires travel by boat or airplane during summer months, as there are no regular roads. Winter brings extreme cold and ice conditions, so careful planning is necessary and an experienced guide is highly recommended.
Around 40,000 walruses return each autumn to rest on the beaches after the local community undertook intensive protection efforts starting in the 1990s. This recovery demonstrates how traditional hunting methods connect with modern conservation.
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