Kurile

The Kuril Islands, known as the Kurile Islands in English and the Chishima Islands in Japanese, are a volcanic archipelago stretching northeast from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia. The islands form a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and are characterized by numerous volcanoes, many of which are active. The total land area of the archipelago is approximately 10,500 square kilometers.

Administratively, the Kuril Islands are part of Russia's Sakhalin Oblast. However, Japan also claims the four southernmost islands, which it calls the Northern Territories. This territorial dispute has been a significant point of contention between Russia and Japan since the end of World War II. The islands have a relatively small population, primarily consisting of ethnic Russians and some indigenous Ainu people.

The economy of the Kuril Islands is largely based on fishing and resource extraction. Historically, the islands have also been important for their fur trade. The strategic location of the islands has made them militarily significant, particularly during the Cold War. The archipelago is known for its dramatic landscapes, including rugged coastlines, dense forests, and volcanic peaks, attracting some tourism despite the geopolitical tensions.