Greater Kuril Ridge, Island chain in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia
The Greater Kuril Ridge is an island chain stretching some 1,300 kilometers between Hokkaido and the Kamchatka Peninsula. The islands separate the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean and are largely composed of volcanic formations.
Soviet administration of these islands began in 1945 following the invasion during World War II. This led to ongoing territorial disputes with Japan that continue to the present day.
The Ainu people left traces of their presence here through ancient settlements and fishing sites scattered across the islands. Visitors can observe how these historical places show the connection between people and the sea.
Access requires special permits for the border zone, and visits are typically only possible by boat or small aircraft from the mainland. Most journeys are organized from Russian ports.
The islands are home to around 68 volcanoes, with 36 remaining active and regularly displaying geological activity. This volcanic dynamism makes the landscape one of the most actively changing regions in the area.
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