Chechen' Island
| Russian: Остров Чечень | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Caspian Sea |
| Coordinates | 43°57′58″N 47°45′22″E / 43.966°N 47.756°ECoordinates: 43°57′58″N 47°45′22″E / 43.966°N 47.756°E |
| Area | 55 km2 (21 sq mi) |
| Length | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Width | 10 km (6 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Republic | Dagestan |
| Demographics | |
| Population | No permanent residents |
Chechen Island (Russian: Остров Чечень; Ostrov Chechen') is a coastal island on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. It is located 20 km east of Krainovka right off the headland on the northern tip of the Agrakhan Peninsula.[1] This island belongs to the Republic of Dagestan, a federal subject of the Russian Federation.[2]
The island has a length of 15 kilometres (9 mi) and a maximum width of 10 km. The sea around Chechen Island usually freezes between January and March. Adjacent islands include Lopatin Island (also known as Lopatina), Bazar, Prygunki, Pichuzhonok and Yaichnyy Island and are collectively known as the 'Chechen Archipelago'.[3]
Etymology
| “ | In the morning of the tenth day of the month at obout 7 o'clock we left for the island of Chechen'. It got its name from an ethnic group that lives in the mountains - Chechens. They go fishing here.[4] | ” |
| — Samuel Gottlieb Gmelin | ||
Ecology
There are many birds on Chechen Island, especially seagulls.[5] In very cold winters herds of Saiga tatarica find refuge in the island.[3]
 1721 Van Verden map of the Caspian Sea with Chechen Island. |
 Aerial picture of the Agrakhan Peninsula with Chechen Island off its northern tip. |
References
External links
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