Primorsky Krai

Primorsky Krai stretches along the Sea of Japan, with the Sikhote-Alin mountain range running through its varied terrain connecting coastal plains to dense forests and mountain ridges. Thousands of rivers cut through the territory, while six state nature reserves and several national parks protect large areas.

The territory passed from Qing China to the Russian Empire in 1860 and went through several administrative reorganizations. It gained krai status in 1938 after earlier organization as a governorate and then part of larger Far Eastern administrative units.

Indigenous Udege communities keep their traditions alive along the Bikin River, while Russian, Korean, and Chinese populations create a mixed cultural atmosphere through markets, festivals, and daily life. Small villages and coastal towns reflect this blend in food, architecture, and everyday interactions between different groups.

The territory's wide geography requires traveling significant distances, with many rural areas accessible only by unpaved roads or seasonal routes. Visitor centers in protected areas offer orientation for hiking and observation, though much of the wilderness remains remote terrain.

The Russian Pacific Fleet sits in Vladivostok, giving the territory strategic importance for military and civilian shipping. Along the Tumen River lies Russia's only land border with North Korea, a short stretch that connects three countries at a corner.

Location: Russia

Inception: October 20, 1938

Capital city: Vladivostok

Part of: Far Eastern Federal District, Far Eastern Economic Region

Shares border with: Khabarovsk Krai, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Rason, North Korea, Sea of Japan

Website: http://primorsky.ru

GPS coordinates: 45.33333,134.66667

Latest update: December 3, 2025 09:01