era of great geographical discoveries, long past, but the sea, the islands, archipelagos still attract the romance of travel.The very names of some exotic places seem enticing and evoke dreams of a vacation far from civilization.But what is an archipelago?Where in the world are they located?Which one is worth a visit?
concept "Archipelago»
So geography is a group of several islands, which are located close to each other and occurred in a similar way.In addition, they usually have the same geological structure.The answer to the question "What is an archipelago" officially formulated by the United Nations Convention in 1982.According to this document constitute the entire island is not only geographical, but also economic and political entity, and as such are often considered historically.Water separating areas of land, is considered to be neutral, not belonging completely located in these country.Other States should be allowed to carry out the necessary activities in the areas of free shipping there.There is also such a thing as an archipelagic State, a country that is completely located on the neighboring islands.These include the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Japan and many others.
northern archipelagos
Islands are a group of closely located around the globe, every continent and in every ocean.Not far from the North Pole are four of them: the Franz Josef Land, Severnaya Zemlya, the New Siberian Islands and the North Island of New Earth.All of them are part of the territories of the Russian Federation.Each Arctic archipelago - a high billboards or polugornaya area among the shallow shelf, the appearance of which is formed by glaciation and sea abrasion.The islands are small lakes and rivers, and those that have, quite small in size.The area represented by lowland deserts, tundra, land productivity in such areas is quite small.Not too well, and the biological diversity of the region.However, the northern archipelago of Franz Josef is extremely interesting as an ecosystem, for example, nest here American Brent Geese, which are not found anywhere else on the territory of Russia, live ivory gulls, polar bears and walruses are two subspecies.Sea water area from the bird colonies are very common in the North Island of New Earth.Many areas are considered to be strictly protected and are designed to protect the Arctic flora and fauna from extinction.The existence of human activity in the Arctic is limited to the polar stations.At the moment, navigation in the region, losing the previous volumes, and people permanently residing in the territory of the northern islands, it is getting smaller every year.
Solovetsky Archipelago
As the Arctic, the group of islands of the territory of the Russian Federation.The quickest way to Solovki is through the Karelian Republic, and many hiking trails in Karelia include their visit.This is an archipelago in the White Sea near the Arctic Circle, it includes six large and about a hundred small islands.Here, the unique scenic beaches, beautiful mixed forests and beautiful boulders along the coast.But the story of this place is sad and tragic.In the 30s there was situated the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp, which is used as prison cells for inmates premises of an old monastery, located in the largest area of the archipelago - the Big Solovetsky Island.Monks settled on the island centuries ago, before the XX century, life here was very peaceful, but during the political repression here brought thousands of people, most of whom have remained in Solovki in unmarked graves and fraternal today.At the moment, the architectural complex of the Solovetsky Monastery is included in UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts a lot of tourists.The most favorable time to travel - from May to October, the winter can be difficult to reach.In stormy weather, which is often, and in the fall, in September or October, transportation stops and get to the Solovki impossible.
Japanese archipelago
mysterious soul for the European country, Japan is located on the islands in the Pacific Ocean.In fact, this is also an archipelagic State, which includes the four major islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku - and about six thousand small islands that stretch the arc along the coast of Russia in the Sea of Japan.To the north is Russia's Sakhalin Island, north-east of the disputed territory Kuril chain.From China to separate the East China Sea.Although the Japanese - not the largest archipelago, it is home to over one hundred and thirty million people.The largest center of the state - Tokyo, around the capital are the most populated prefecture, is home to just thirty million people, accounting for slightly less than one-third of the total population.The highest point of the archipelago is Mount Fuji, which is not erupting for three centuries.Its height is about four thousand meters.Ascent of Mount Fuji allows you to see the incredible beauty of the landscape, especially if to lift in the hour before dawn.Since the archipelago emerged at the intersection of volcanic arcs are dominated by mountainous terrain and frequent earthquakes, some can be very powerful and destructive.
Sunda Archipelago
This group of islands located between mainland Asia and the continent of Australia.Also known as the Malay archipelago it includes the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, the Philippines, the Moluccas, and many small islands.On the territory there are countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia.The largest islands are Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java and Kalimantan, which are part of the Greater Sunda.Malay - the largest archipelago in the world.As in Japan, he mountainous terrain, although there are plains and lowlands.The region has about three hundred thirty volcanoes, hundreds of which are active.The most famous of them - Krakatoa.In addition, it developed the world's largest deposits of tin, there are also oil, iron, tungsten and manganese ore, bauxite.Due to its location in the equatorial climate Malay Archipelago is a very popular destination for tourism and recreation.The air temperature throughout the year virtually unchanged and is about twenty five degrees.In the equatorial part of the uniform rainfall throughout the year, and they fall zone subequatorial monsoon circulation, respectively.The archipelago lot of deep rivers of small extent, more or less long, only Barito, Musi, Kapuas and Inderagiri that are used for navigation.The local flora and fauna - one of the most diverse around the globe.Wet tropical forests full of trees, of which there are about three hundred species and bamboo rasamaly, figs, bananas, pandanus and other subtropical plants.On the hills grow mosses, shrubs, along the coasts have mangroves.They can be found not only the different types of monkeys and elephants, rhinos, Malayan bears and red wolves, flying squirrels and COLUGO.Travel Malay Archipelago guarantees a lot of impressions.And no matter what kind of country in the region you choose.
Thousand Islands
Canadian archipelago - another unique place that deserves attention.It is located on the border of Canada and the United States and includes a one thousand eight hundred sixty-four islands that stretch for kilometers along the eighty St. Lawrence River.In larger areas of land inhabited and tiny inhabited by migratory birds.To plot of land was considered an island, it should be flood-free all year round.It must grow at least one tree.The minimum size of the islands of the Canadian archipelago, these two criteria specified, is one square foot, and the largest is about a hundred square kilometers.It is called the Wolf, at length it is a little less than thirty kilometers and a maximum width of all nine.Residents here about fifteen hundred.Live and on the islands, where there is enough space for only one house and a couple of benches in the yard.These houses look very cozy.Everything you need people to deliver on the ferry from the mainland, in the homes of all electricity, and telephone service been established with the help of an underwater cable connecting the island together.Part of the archipelago occupied by the old Canadian National Park, which is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday with the whole family.The main attraction is Boldt Castle, a hotel magnate, interest is also a museum of ancient ships and the castle of the corporation "Singer".Since 2002, the Canadian archipelago is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.It is a picturesque place, which is easy to take a break from the daily bustle and touch the wildlife.
Alexander Archipelago
In southeast Alaska, the northernmost US state, is a protected area.This Alexander Archipelago length of about five hundred kilometers, separated from the mainland by deep channels.It includes more than a thousand islands.All other major US archipelagos inferior to him in size.With an area of 69 thousand square kilometers it is the largest.Islands with a sharp coastline covered with forests rain type, the largest areas of land called the Admiralty, Baranov, and Wrangell Chichingof.The original inhabitants are the Tlingit and Tsimshian tribes, but many of them have long been moved to the mainland.Those that remained, engaged in fishing and logging as many years ago.Of course, a certain proportion of employment and tourism provides.PROTECTED local places declared Theodore Roosevelt, who in 1907 created the Tongass here.This national park is truly unique and unrepeatable, deforestation there would be an ecological disaster for the area.Reserve Tongass is divided into several areas, for example, the area of the Pacific coast to the tundra and glaciers, or the Great Bear, which are growing rare trees such as cedar or spruce Cross Sitka.The fauna is represented by two species of bears, five species of deer, rare birds and other animals.
Chagos Archipelago
This group of islands belong to Britain, though located in the Indian Ocean.Chagos Archipelago includes seven atolls with sixty islands, which are located far away from the Maldives on the way from Indonesia to Africa.Constantly nobody here lives a population of soldiers from Britain and the United States.The largest island is Diego Garcia, located on five hundred kilometers to the south of the Maldives and sixteen hundred kilometers south of the Indian subcontinent.This land was opened navigator Vasco da Gama in the sixteenth century, a time belonged to the Archipelago of France, and then came into the possession of Great Britain.Until the sixties of the twentieth century, indigenous people lived here, but then they were evicted and opened a large military base.In 2000, the decision was illegal, but the residents have not been able to return because of the agreement with the United States of Britain.This document covers the island until 2016, after which, perhaps, the entry and residence will be allowed again.Currently on Diego Garcia arranged transport facilities for military purposes and the center of space communication, which can not serve the civilians.Exactly how to resolve the situation, it is difficult to predict.In other islands in the archipelago residents are engaged in fishing and growing coconut palms, you can come back as a tourist.Wide range of hotels of varying degrees of comfort, exotic cuisine, the opportunity to go diving or surfing - all of this archipelago offers visitors from around the world.
Mysterious Vanuatu
In the south-western Pacific islands are located 83 great beauty.This archipelago of Vanuatu, an island nation in the middle of the jungle and volcanic sand.It even has an active volcano Yasur, which continually spews lava on the island of Tanna.Once the area was colonized by the French and English, so many of the locals speak English and French very well.They can often be found with a menacing machetes in their hands, but the weapon is intended for attacks on the palms and is not the slightest danger.Tourists are always welcome here, despite the tragic history: the settlers from other countries almost destroyed the local culture by imposing the European way of life and the Christian religion.But customs and ancient traditions still survive.There are local language, called Bislama, and consists of eight thousand words.Each island has its own festival dedicated to harvesting.The most famous of all - naghol.This festival of Pentecost Island, during which the locals build special wooden tower and jump off them down, tied his legs stem yams.While brave compete in agility, all the other dance and sing folk songs.Once Pentecost visited the British Queen, on the occasion of her visit to the feast had to be postponed.Local residents are distinguished by conservatism, they have been reluctant to give in progress and live by their own rules.Using the amenities of civilization, they still manage to maintain a way of life, more familiar to their ancestors.The only disadvantage of traveling to these places can be called a problem with movement.Where is the archipelago of Vanuatu, there is no specific schedule of flights and ground transportation hardly developed and expensive.Find a hotel for recreation is also quite difficult.More or less extensive tourist infrastructure on the main island of Efate and Espiritu Santo, tourists come here for diving in the reefs, which are considered among the most beautiful in the entire Pacific Ocean.You can get there from Australia or New Zealand, arriving by plane at the airport of the capital of the archipelago Port Vila.
Fiji Islands
Perhaps this group of islands is one of the best for tourism.If you ask the locals about what Fiji Islands, you are sure to hear it's a real paradise.Incredible beauty tropical nature, white beaches with clean sand, blue lagoons, lush tropical forests, always sunny and warm weather makes holidays here a real pleasure.For those who like to relax actively, there is the possibility of surfing and diving, you can also go to the tennis court or golf.The largest islands are called Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, where nightlife, there are plenty of entertainment venues, shops, restaurants and cafes.The availability and variety of national parks with a rich flora and fauna.Not all archipelagos earth can boast such a variety of beautiful plants and animals.The capital of Fiji is Suva, a city located on Viti Levu.This annual festival of hibiscus, accompanied by a variety of theatrical performances, carnivals and fireworks.For those looking for peace and tranquility, Fiji is also a place.Staying in a bungalow on the beach, you can get a complete privacy and relaxation.The climate is quite comfortable all year round, the temperature does not fall below twenty-five degrees, from April to November the weather is hot and dry due to the south-east trade winds, and from November to April, the rainy season lasts from tropical cyclones.
New Zealand
Near Fiji is another group of islands.It is known as New Zealand.This kingdom in the south-western Pacific Ocean, and washed by the Tasman Sea.What is the archipelago of New Zealand?These are the two biggest islands, North and South, which are separated by the Cook Strait and sixty smaller islands, which include such as Stewart, Bounty, Auckland, Campbell, Three Kings, Kermadec and Chatham Antipodes.The climate is mostly temperate and sub-tropical in the north, in the mountainous areas it resembles an alpine.The terrain is flat, but there is also the Southern Alps, and Mount Ruapehu.Water presents Lake Taupo and Waikato River.Flora and fauna is very diverse, you can meet the usual European hedgehog and exotic bird kiwi, pine and palm trees.Minerals are gas, oil, gold, iron, silver, chrome, coal, copper, mercury and others.Before the arrival of man on the islands mammals lived.Those animals that brought colonists, violated a state of natural flora and fauna.
