Kunashir

Kunashir is an island located in the Sea of Okhotsk, part of the Kuril Islands archipelago. It is the southernmost of the disputed Kuril Islands, situated to the east of Hokkaido, Japan. The island is administered by Russia as part of the Sakhalin Oblast. Kunashir's geography is characterized by volcanic activity, with several active volcanoes including Tyatya, Rausu, and Mendeleev. The island is approximately 123 kilometers long and has a maximum width of about 30 kilometers. Its total area is around 1,490 square kilometers.

The climate of Kunashir is temperate maritime, with mild summers and cold, snowy winters. The island's flora and fauna are diverse, influenced by both continental and oceanic conditions. Forests of fir, spruce, and various deciduous trees cover much of the land, while the surrounding waters are rich in marine life, supporting commercial fishing.

Historically, Kunashir has been inhabited by the Ainu people. It has also been subject to territorial disputes between Japan and Russia, with Japan claiming the island as part of its Northern Territories. Russia currently exercises de facto control over Kunashir and the other southern Kuril Islands. The primary settlement on the island is the town of Yuzhno-Kurilsk. The economy of Kunashir is largely based on fishing and related industries, as well as some scientific research and tourism.