Chukchi Sea from all the seas surrounding Russia, were investigated one of the last.Home study this most north-eastern Sea countries put explorer Semyon Dezhnev, who went by sea from the mouth of the Kolyma River to the river Anadyr.
area of the sea - five hundred and ninety thousand square kilometers.More than half the area of the Chukchi Sea lies within the continental shelf, so depth is not more than fifty meters, and in some places there are shoals of up to thirteen meters.This is less than the height of a standard five-story building.According to geologists, ten or twelve thousand years ago, this place was the land, which marks the settlement of the people of the Americas.This is a vast land existed in the past has received in the scientific literature the name of Beringia.The maximum water depth of 1256 meters.
climate is extremely harsh.Frozen Chukchi Sea in October, and the gathering of ice cover begins only in May.More than half a year the sea is not suitable for navigation.In winter, the water temperature is a negative value because of the high salinity it freezes at a temperature slightly below zero degrees.
Chukchi Sea, as well as all the North Sea is rich in fish, but due to the harsh natural conditions of industrial fishing is extremely difficult and often impossible.In the sea are found saffron cod, trout, grayling, Arctic cod.Among the mammals there are walruses, polar bears, seals, seals, whales.
Coast Sea in the west of the Chukotka Peninsula, and in the east - Alaska.On the Chukotka Peninsula has long been at least five thousand years, the Chukchi live, are genetically closely related to the indigenous inhabitants of Alaska.Now the natives of Chukotka Peninsula characters are numerous anecdotes, and yet these people until the early twentieth century was very belligerent and repeatedly defeating actively explore the Russian Chukotka.
Interestingly, recognizing the force of Russian, called the Chukchi people, except themselves, only them.All the other nations have such an honor is not awarded.Deadly clashes continued Russian and Chukchi, since first meeting in 1644 until the end of the eighteenth century, when one of the tributaries of the Big Anyuya fortress was built, which is now replaced by trade military contacts.However, the small combat "misunderstandings" continued throughout the nineteenth century.
Chukchi life is inseparable from the sea, which they gave their name.Although, in fairness, it is necessary to clarify that life and even self-Chukchi living in the depths of the peninsula and the coast, are very different.The name "Chukchi" - derived from the Chukchi word for "rich deer."Coastal Chukchi, the basis of which the economy is fishing and hunting sea mammals are called differently - "ankalyn", which means "breeders."
Fishing in the Chukotka region, according to the testimony of those who visited this remote corner of Russia, is gorgeous.True, this concerns mainly the rivers and lakes of the peninsula.In the Chukchi Sea fishermen visitors rarely pay attention.This rich, but harsh northern edge, unfortunately, can not boast an abundance of fish caught.Although ... who knows, maybe in connection with global warming northern ice retreat, and local wealth, including offshore, will become more accessible.
