Sakhalin

Sakhalin is the largest island of Russia, located in the North Pacific Ocean and part of Sakhalin Oblast in the Russian Far East. It lies just north of Hokkaido, Japan, and is separated from the Japanese island by the La Pérouse (Soya) Strait. The island covers about 76,000 square kilometers and has a population in the hundreds of thousands; the administrative center is Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Geographically, Sakhalin is a long, narrow landmass with mountains in the south and flatter plains inland. It is bordered by the Sea of Okhotsk to the west and north and by the Pacific Ocean to the east. The climate is predominantly subarctic to temperate, with cold winters and comparatively mild summers. The surrounding seas and varied ecosystems support fisheries, forests, and coastal habitats.

Historically, the island was inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Nivkh and Ainu. Russian exploration began in the 17th century. From 1905 to 1945, southern Sakhalin was under Japanese administration and known as Karafuto. After World War II, the Soviet Union annexed the entire island, and it became part of the Russian Federation as Sakhalin Oblast. The Japanese population was largely repatriated.

Economically, Sakhalin is important for oil and gas production, including offshore and onshore projects, along with fishing and timber industries. The island hosts ports, energy infrastructure, and supporting services that contribute to regional development. Population is diverse, with Russians and indigenous communities forming the core demographics.