Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Russian: Петропа́вловск-Камча́тский) is the main city and the administrative, industrial, scientific, and cultural center of Kamchatka Krai (Russia). Population: 198,028 (2002 Census); 268,747 (1989 Census). Ethnic Russians and Ukrainians make up majority of population. The city itself is home to more people than its neighboring regions Magadan Oblast and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
The city is situated on high hills and surrounded by volcanoes. In fact, the horizon cannot be seen clearly from any point of town as volcanoes and mountains are everywhere. Across Avacha Bay from the city is Russia's largest submarine base, the Rybachiy Nuclear Submarine Base, (location and satellite photos: 52°55′N 158°29′E / 52.92, 158.49) established during Soviet times and still used by the Russian Navy. [1]
History
Petropavlovsk city was founded by Russian explorer Vitus Bering. Bering reached Avacha Bay in 1740 and laid the foundation stone for the harbor town. He named the new place "Petropavlovsk" (Peter + Paul) after his two ships, the St. Peter and the St. Paul, built in Okhotsk for his second expedition.
During the 1854–1855 Crimean War, the city's fortress held out during the siege by the Anglo-French forces and never fell.
Petropavlovsk was a great source of fish (particularly salmon) and crab meat for the Soviet Union in the 20th century; however, since the end of the Soviet era fishing rights have been granted to foreign interests.
Climate
The climate is maritime (Köppen Dfc) and precipitation averages are estimated at 860 millimeters (33.9 in), or about three times as much as average in Siberia, with most falling as snow. Temperatures in winter are milder than in Siberia—a typical January day averages −7.3 ℃ (18.9 ℉), while in summer 20 ℃ (68 ℉) constitutes an average July maximum.
Tourism
The city has developed a tourist infrastructure. About twenty large tourism companies offer a wide range of services from bear hunting to paragliding. No roads connect the Kamchatka Peninsula to the rest of the world. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is the second largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road after Iquitos, Peru. Travel to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is expensive but is growing in popularity because of the remarkable scenery throughout the peninsula. The city is served by Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport.
See also
External links
Gallery
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View to Koryakskaya, October 2005
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The Avachinsky volcano from the city
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Cities and towns in Kamchatka Krai |
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| Administrative center: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky |
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