Severo-Kurilsky District

Severo-Kurilsky District (Russian: Се́веро-Кури́льский райо́н) is one of the seventeen administrative districts (raion) of Sakhalin Oblast in Russia. It is a part of the northern Kuril Islands, located to the east of the Island of Sakhalin and southwest of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian mainland. Covering an area of 3,501.2 km2 (1,351.8 sq mi), its seat and administrative center is the town of Severo-Kurilsk on Paramushir island. As per the 2010 census, it had a population of 2,536 inhabitants with the entire population residing in Severo-Kurilsk. The economy is largely based on fisheries and seafood processing. Geography Severo-Kurilsky is one of the seventeen administrative districts (raion) of Sakhalin Oblast in Russia. Covering an area of 3,501.2 km2 (1,351.8 sq mi), it is a part of the northern Kuril Islands. It is located to the east of the Island of Sakhalin and southwest of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian mainland. Its seat and administrative center is the town of Severo-Kurilsk on Paramushir island. The climate varies from sub-Arctic to temperate climate along the islands. The vegetation varies and is mostly composed of larch and spruce trees. Summers are mild, with temperatures rising above 10 degrees Celsius only for two months. Short, foggy months are followed by a long, and cold winter. The average annual rainfall ranges from 102 to 127 cm (40 to 50 in). The district is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake and the tsunami that followed resulted in large-scale destruction of the entire town. The district was struck by another major earthquake and tsunami in 2025. Demographics and economy As of 2010, the region had a population of 2,536 individuals, down from 5,420 recorded in 1989. The town of Severo-Kurilsk accounts for the entire population of the district. The economy is predominantly based on fishing and seafood processing industries. There is a major seaport located in the town of Severo-Kurilsk, which handles shipping operations. It is part of a special economic zone aimed at encouraging the seafood industry. Islands References Sources Сахалинская областная Дума. Закон №25-ЗО от 23 марта 2011 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Сахалинской области», в ред. Закона №62-ЗО от 27 июня 2013 г. «О внесении изменения в статью 10 Закона Сахалинской области "Об административно-территориальном устройстве Сахалинской области"». Вступил в силу 9 апреля 2011 г.. Опубликован: "Губернские ведомости", №55(3742), 29 марта 2011 г. (Sakhalin Oblast Duma. Law #25-ZO of March 23, 2011 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Sakhalin Oblast, as amended by the Law #62-ZO of June 27, 2013 On Amending Article 10 of the Law of Sakhalin Oblast "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Sakhalin Oblast". Effective as of April 9, 2011.). Сахалинская областная Дума. Закон №524 от 21 июля 2004 г. «О границах и статусе муниципальных образований в Сахалинской области», в ред. Закона №45-ЗО от 27 мая 2013 г. «О внесении изменения в Закон Сахалинской области "О границах и статусе муниципальных образований в Сахалинской области"». Вступил в силу 1 января 2005 г. Опубликован: "Губернские ведомости", №175–176(2111–2112), 31 июля 2004 г. (Sakhalin Oblast Duma. Law #524 of July 21, 2004 On the Borders and Status of the Municipal Formations in Sakhalin Oblast, as amended by the Law #45-ZO of May 27, 2013 On Amending the Law of Sakhalin Oblast "On the Borders and Status of the Municipal Formations in Sakhalin Oblast". Effective as of January 1, 2005.).