Back to Chukotka Html
11/14/2006 Chukchi GX Technology Corp GXT Completes Seismic for Beaufort East
Bilibino Minerals Ag Au Cu Pt Roman Abramovich governor of Chukotka again 2005-10-21
Chukotka Autonomous Area  
Chukotka Court Orders Seizure of 15%
Stake in Sibneft 2004.07.14
Chukotka is practically bankrupt
2004 14 May 
Chukotka Government May Buy Geological Company 2004
"...to unite Chukotka with the United States”
Security Council of the Russian Federation 2000
Coal in Anadyrskiy
The Chaunsky Rayon unified mining-industrial complex is being formed
Shmidt Region Gold mining is the largest industrial sector by revenue
Iul’tinskii Region is rich in tin tungsten and coal.

Chukchi GX Technology Corp GXT Completes Seismic for Beaufort East
.  11/14/2006 URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=38171

GX Technology Corporation (GXT), a seismic imaging services provider and a subsidiary of Input/Output, Inc., on Monday announced the completion of acquisition for the Beaufort East and Chukchi phases of its latest basin-scale seismic program, ArcticSpan.

The Beaufort East phase will provide high-resolution subsurface images of prospective targets in the Mackenzie Delta region and its contiguous continental margin of the Canada Basin, offshore Canada. The Chukchi phase will provide a regional 2D seismic framework for the entire Chukchi Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) area.

Mick Lambert, President of GX Technology, commented, "GXT has built one of the most up-to-date seismic libraries in the industry. We are proud to add ArcticSpan to our portfolio and look forward to helping our customers locate the 30 billion barrels of oil equivalent that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates is undiscovered in the Mackenzie Delta region of North America. Designed with the active participation of regional experts, the program's goal is to offer E&P companies valuable insights into this under- explored, high-potential offshore region. We will continue to work in the region to help our customers extract the maximum value from ArcticSpan and to provide them with advanced processing services related to this data library in the years ahead."

ArcticSpan is comprised of approximately 6,500 km of 2D data along the northern coasts of Alaska and Canada. The program was designed to transect key geologic features and improve geoscientists' understanding of the depositional history of the area. Seismic data acquisition involved very long offsets of 9,000 meters, record lengths of 18 seconds, and a specially designed seismic source to illuminate the basin. GXT will use its advanced processing and depth imaging techniques to deliver the structural framework in the depth domain with an unprecedented ultra-deep focus. Clients will receive an interpretation report with each dataset that is designed to help in identifying potential play types and exploration prospects in the area.

GXT will commence delivery of the ArcticSpan dataset in time for customers to analyze the data in advance of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Chukchi lease sale scheduled for November 2007.

GXT Spans are basin-scale, ultra-deep seismic data libraries that are acquired and imaged using the most advanced geological and geophysical technology available. Spans are custom designed to provide a holistic understanding of petroleum systems including source rock deposition, migration paths, sediment fairways, and reservoir trapping mechanisms. GXT Spans exist for the Gulf of Mexico, the margin of West Africa and for offshore basins in Colombia, India, Canada and the Caribbean. More Spans are planned for key petroleum provinces around the world.
Oil and gas in Chukotka

The Chukotsky Autonomous Okrug possesses one of the largest maritime shelf systems in Russia. The quality of geological and geophysical information on Chukotka's submerged continental shelf system is, for the most part, insufficient. At present, the Chukotka Shelf has been crudely surveyed using aeromagnetic, gravimetric and seismic profiling, and in a very few cases, in the most promising areas of the Bering Sea, more detailed geological investigation has been carried out. Thus, the reached level of research conform with the initial phase of the regional step.

Five potential hydrocarbon-bearing sedimentary basins have been identified on the territory of the Chukotsky Autonomous Okrug and its maritime shelf area: Anadyrsky, East-Khatyrsky, South-Chukotsky, North-Chukotsky, and East-Siberian. All these basins are characterized by their difficult accessibility, and also one-sided and a comparatively low research degree. The two most viable maritime basins in the Bering Sea at this time are the Anadyrsky and the Khatyrsksky. The reserves in these two basins are already proven, although the potential reserves in the remaining basins are also highly promising.

According to the results of geological prospecting in the continental part of the basin many oil and gas structures are found out. At the present time, the three most promising areas are shown up within the basin: the Zapadno-Ozernyi, the Verkhne-Telekaisky and Lagunny. Drilling licenses have been granted for all three, on conditions allowing the completion of geological prospecting of earlier-discovered oil and gas deposits and for their subsequent exploitation, as well as for additional prospecting of the geological structure in these fields in search of new oil and gas deposits. These licenses were granted in 1996 after winning a competitive tender placed by the Administration of the Chukotsky Autonomous Okrug and the Chukotgeolkom (the regional mineral resources committee) under the supervision of the Roskomnedr (the federal mineral resources committee). The license were granted to the winner for a period of 25 years. The Zapadno-Ozerny structure, with a total area of 66,8 square kilometers. Here, 100 kilometers to the south of Anadyr there is an analogous field—the Zapadno-Ozerny gas field. Natural gas accumulations are located in relatively low-powered layers between 1 and 17 meters thick, and at a depth of 360 to 942 meters.

Reclamation of this field is the main task for the Fuel Energy Complex of Chukotka for next 5-7 years, as well as research of oil and gas content of the Anadyrsky part of the Bering Sea shelf. This will make it possible to solve a problem of Chukotka's self-supply with hydrocarbon fuel in observable future. Herein, the level of planned oil and gas mining, in perspective, must also provide considerable hydrocarbons export for covering costs and getting benefits that, in principle, must cause for development of Chukotka's economy.

At specialists' point of view gas forecasting resources of the region are estimated in 25 billion cubic meters. The volume of explored reserves of freely extracted gas at the territory of the Chukotsky Autonomous Okrug comprise 11,8 milliards cubic meters. It allows to provide internal needs of the region for the middle-term and long-term perspectives.

The Zapadno-Ozerny gas field is able to meet Anadyr's and neighboring localities' heat and energy needs during several decades. Construction of a gas thermoelectric plant will assist to solving the Okrug's energy and social problems, and will also improve the ecology situation in the region. To provide construction and start-up of the gas thermoelectric plant financial investments in the sum of 1,5 milliard rubles will be neded.

As a result of carrying out a complex of works by 2005 a resource base with stocks growth, including oil, condensate and gas stocks, can be explored. Besides, fundamentally new large objects in the northern seas must be found. Financing geological exploration works is necessary to be made, mostly, on the account of the federal budget—from compensation rates, left for the territory, and also partially from private investments.

At the present time, the company “Sibneft-Chukotka” (a subsidiary company of the “Sibneft Noyabrskneftegaz”, registered in Anadyr) is carrying out explorative drilling in the Lakhtaksk structure, located in the Lagunnyi deflection of the Anadyrsky sedimentary basin. The objective of this work is to clarify the sedimentary structure of the Lagunnyi deflection and determine the location of hydrocarbon deposits. The company is also actively preparing to undertake exploration work (seismic and drilling) in another five promising locations. Three of these—the Severo-Lagunnyi, Beringovsky and Tsentralnyi—are located within the limits of the Anadyr basin. The first of these is located in the coastal region of the basin, and the other two are located on the maritime shelf. The final two areas are located in the Khatyrsky basin.

In the final analysis, there is no doubt that Chukotka's hydrocarbon wealth will become a major asset in the energy economy of Russia's Northeast. However, in the immediate future, in order to attract sufficient investment and provide for the needs of the population, a reliable transport infrastructure is vital. Without this, the movement of needed goods and equipment to the region, necessary for the program of exploration and exploitation out-lined above, will be seriously hampered. To this end, logistical improvements in the shipping sector must be carried out, including better navigation and hydrographic services along shipping routes and better port services on the Chukotka peninsula. The reconstruction of the Bering seaport and the deepening of the harbor are ongoing, in order to improve cargo loading and handling from the piers.

Chukotka's success in attracting business partnerships, investment and international business expertise is an important goal. This has the potential to generate a situation in which investors themselves, bringing resources to the region for further petroleum exploration, will help to further expand Chukotka's petroleum potential.
Beringovskii Coal Port (almost year-round, as the sea is nearly ice-free)
Created in 1957

The Beringovskii Region is particularly rich in mineral deposits associated with sedimentary formations — coal, oil and gas. These deposits are of considerable size, especially if one includes those located under the offshore shelf. The only ferrous mineral deposit of note in the region is platinum, found in the coal in the extreme west of the region.

Beringovskii is among Chukotka’s smaller regions, and is fully exposed to the influence of the Bering Sea, along the shores of which it is located. The region’s total population is 2782, and the administrative centre is the settlement of Nagornyi, with a population of 1711.

Although Beringovskii is Chukotka’s most southerly region, its climate is far from the mildest — snow lies on the ground until at least July.

From a geological perspective, Beringovskii Region is the youngest in Chukotka — the larger part of this territory is a recent addition, having emerged from the Bering Sea. Earthquakes are frequent, and the region is home well-known hotsprings and geysers.

The Beringovskii Region is particularly rich in mineral deposits associated with sedimentary formations — coal, oil and gas. These deposits are of considerable size, especially if one includes those located under the offshore shelf. The only ferrous mineral deposit of note in the region is platinum, found in the coal in the extreme west of the region.

There are three villages in the region containing state farms. The first of these — Al’katvaam — is located close to the regional centre Nagornyi and is connected by an all-season road. The remaining two — Meinypil’gino and Khatyrka — are located on the southern shore, and transport to them in by sea (almost year-round, as the sea is nearly ice-free), winter road, and helicopter. With minor alternations, the airports of the two southern villages would be capable of handling medium-sized aircraft.

Coal mining, energy production and food production are the three most important branches of the Beringovskii Region’s economy, and there is a seaport. Both trade and agriculture are under-developed, and there is no gold mining in the region.

The largest enterprise in the region is the coalmine «Nagornaya», which produced for sale 67,500 tonnes of coal in 2001. Potential for economic growth in this region is linked to the coal-mining sector, but in order to increase production to the point that export beyond Chukotka would be economical, the mine requires reconstruction.

In addition, Beringovskii Region’s seaport and ocean-going fleet requires repair, and piers for large cargo ships carrying coal must be built. Part of a larger economic revival must also include the reconstruction and re-tooling of the Beringovskii Region’s Electrical-Generating Station and the regional electricity grid, as well as the reconstruction of the regional food plant. Finally, measures must be taken to combat the problem of unemployment and stabilize the local economy in the indigenous villages of the region.

Indigenous Chukchi comprise 40 percent of the region’s population.
Chukotka Government May Buy Geological Company
2004 - Yulia Prokhorova.
"GeoRegion" geological company signed a contract with the Chukotka government on subsurface exploration.

Though the company is supposed to be financed by the federal budget, it has not received any resources during several years. Moreover, the governmental order has not been approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The government of Chukotka provided 23 million rubles for geological works in three locations, which will support GeoRegion's operations for the whole of 2004. Further prospects are vague. There is a likelihood that the company will be auctioned off and converted to a joint-stock company. The most likely buyer is the Chukotka government interested in continued geological exploration works.
"...to unite Chukotka with the United States” Security Council of the Russian Federation
 was studying, “a carefully planned long term system of measures to annex Chukotka from Russia and unite it with the United States” In August 2000, Izvestiya reported that articles had appeared in Vecherny Magadan announcing that the

(Chukotka is anautonomous region within Magadan right across the Bering Strait from Alaska).  

A follow up articlein Vecherny Magadan asserted that American Protestant missionaries in Chukotka were striving to accomplish this annexation by converting the local population.

According to Keston News Service, both Russian Orthodox Bishop Anatoly of Magadan andChukotka and the governor of Magadan Oblast, Valentin Tsvetkov, agree that foreign missionaries pose a threat. 

Governor Tsvetkov reportedly wrote an article in 1998 accusing foreign missionaries of spending enormous amounts of money with the main goal being “not at all religious education, but control over the region and its natural wealth.” 
The head of the local FSB was quoted as sayingthat, “Many religious organizations in Magadan have been created with the help of foreign organizations.

The question arises: is this really for selfless motives?”
The leader of the Pentecostal Word of Life Church reported that he and his congregation have been accused of being foreign spies, and that since the congregation won a court case against prosecutors seeking to cancel its registration, Pentecostals have been beaten and harassed, especially after they sent information about their plight to theUS Consulate in Vladivostok.

The October 19, 2000 issue of the nationally distributed KPRF newspaper Sovetskaya Rossiy accused Jewish “oligarch” Roman Abramovich of plotting to hand over Chukotka to the US under Page 7, 161 Antisemitism in Russia’s Regions1999 - 2000 the guise of promoting ties between the native Chukchi and Alaskan Eskimos.
Mr. Abramovich has announced his candidacy for governor of the region.
Chukotka is practically bankrupt 14 May 2004
Audit Chamber Goes After Chukotka And Its Governor
Sergei Ryabuchin, an auditor for the Audit Chamber, made public on 20 May an audit into the financial status of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, which is led by Governor and oligarch Roman Abramovich, according to which the okrug is insolvent, RTR and NTV reported on 20 and 21 May.

According to Ryabuchin, Chukotka's debts to the federal budget have reached 9.3 billion rubles ($320 million), more than double its annual revenues of 3.9 billion rubles.

"The region is practically bankrupt," he said. Ryabuchin also said that Abramovich is personally responsible for illegal wage hikes given to doctors, teachers, and other public-sector workers.

He added that his agency has handed over the audit documentation to the Prosecutor-General's Office.
Meanwhile, Audit Chamber Chairman Sergei Stepashin said that Abramovich should quit as the governor of Chukotka, Interfax reported on 22 May (see "RFE/RL Newsline" 14 May 2004).
"The results [of the audit] show that Abramovich has let the president down very badly," Stepashin said. VY
Roman Abramovich governor of Chukotka again
2005-10-21
Roman Abramovich, was sworn in Friday for a new five-year term as governor of the Russian Far East region of Chukotka. Before the ceremony, the regional legislature voted to confirm Abramovich's appointment, which Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed.

Abramovich acquired vast oil holdings in privatization deals in the 1990s.
Unlike Russian billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who is serving an eight-year prison sentence for tax evasion and fraud, Abramovich is thought to show unswerving loyalty to the Kremlin.

State-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom has announced it will buy Sibneft, the oil company Abramovich controls, for US$13 billion. 
Chukotka Court Orders Seizure of 15% Stake in Sibneft
Created: 14.07.2004 MosNews

The Arbitration Court of the Russian Far East region of Chukotka has seized a 15-percent package of shares of the Sibneft Oil Company which is on the accounts of the Yukos oil company, the Ekho Moskvy radio station reported on Tuesday evening citing Dmitriy Gololobov, a lawyer working for Yukos.

Yukos press secretary Aleksandr Shadrin confirmed that the oil giant had received a court order on Tuesday issued by the Chukotka court of arbitration imposing a seizure on 15 percent of Sibneft shares.

Gololobov also told the radio station that in his opinion it would be better for the bailiffs to sell the remaining 20 per cent of Sibneft shares to pay off the tax debts. He said that the tax debts will be paid in instalments, or the company will be sold piece by piece. “If you start to tear pieces off the company, it will go bankrupt sooner or later,” the lawyer said.

Another Yukos lawyer, Sergey Pepelyayev, added that next week Yukos would submit a protest against the check carried out by the Tax Ministry for 2001.
On the basis of the act, the ministry will prepare a decision on the check for 2001 and will submit a suit to the court, he added.

Moreover, Pepelyayev believes that the suit from the Tax Ministry will be considered fairly quickly and a decision will be taken on it, similar to the results of the check on the company by the ministry for 2000.
Chukotka Autonomous Area
GENERAL INFORMATION
Chukotka Autonomous Area is located in northeastern Russia on the Chukotka (or Chukchi) Peninsula and adjoining mainland. The area includes Wrangel, Ratmanov, and other islands. It borders on the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Kamchatka and Magadan regions, and the East Siberian, Chukchi, and Bering seas.

Emblem
Chukotka Autonomous Area was formed on December 10, 1930. It has an area of 737 700 km2 (4.32% of the RF), a population of 83 000, and population density of 0.1 people per km2. Native people make up a third of the total population; they include Chukchis (about 16 500-17 000 people), Chuvantsy (about 1500), Evens (about 700-800), and Yukaghirs (less than 500). The population of Chukotka has decreased drastically in recent years as a direct consequence of a continuing decline in gold production on the peninsula.

Flag  The area is divided into 8 districts, 2 cities under district administration, 18 towns, and 45 rural councils. The city of Anadyr is the district administrative center.

Mineral resources include gold, tungsten, tin, coal, and copper. The best known deposits are Valkumei and Pyrkakai (tin) and Anadyrskoe and Beringovskoe (coal).

HISTORY
The word "Chukotka" brings to mind a cold, far-away, but at the same time ancient and romantic territory. It has its own unique image of pristine nature, stark contours of coastal regions and mountains, and open expanses of plain. The landscape has changed little since the first Russian explorers saw it in the 17th century.

The region's natural resources and evolutionary changes obviously had an influence on the history and culture of the people living here. Russian documents first mention Chukotka in the 1640s. The Russian name for the region comes from the name of the ancient inhabitants, Chukchi, which translates as "rich in reindeer". Long ago, the Chukchis and other native peoples like the Yukaghirs, Eskimos, and Koryaks settled in specific natural zones suitable for habitation. The ancestors of the Chukchis and Koryaks lived mainly in the inland areas of Chukotka. The people living on the Bering Sea coast were primarily seal hunters, while those occupying the continental tundra and forest tundra zones were reindeer herders.

Russian settlement of Chukotka began in the 17th century. The earliest explorers were Cossacks led by explorer Semen Dezhnev, who reached the area of present-day Markovo. Here, they met with fierce resistance from the Koryaks and Chukchis. Part of the Yukaghir people, who occupied large territories from Yakutia to Amguema, perished from epidemics, while many more were wiped out by the Chukchis and Koryaks, leaving them with no choice but to side with the Cossacks. The Russians abandoned these lands in the 18th century, and the Chukchis burned their fortresses and started a war with the Koryaks, eventually forcing them out. As a result, by the late 19th-early 20th centuries, the Chukchis occupied a vast territory stretching almost from Kolyma to the Chukotka Peninsula. The Yukaghirs had nearly disappeared, but were brought back once again by Russians returning to Anadyrsky fortress and the present-day city of Anadyr. As a result, fortresses were built at Markovo, at the junction of Anadyr and Eropol, and at Anyue, and trading posts appeared in the settlement of Ven (Tavaivaam) and at Krasnoe Ozero (Chikaevo or the Osinovaya River). The inhabited territories had expanded even further by the end of the 18th century. The internal wars ended after this, and trade began to develop rapidly. Chukchis, Eskimos, and Russians bought goods from Yakutian and Kolyma merchants, who took furs, walrus tusks, and other goods in exchange. As a result, the Russians further strengthened their already commanding position on Chukotka. They set up a Cossack post near the present-day city and launched a naval patrol vessel. Districts were organized in Markova, Uelen, and Anadyr.

In 1930, Anadyrsky and Chukotsky districts of the Far Eastern Territory were combined to form Chukotka National District, renamed Chukotka Autonomous Area in 1977.

RESOURCES
Chukotka Autonomous Area has a severe continental climate with average January temperatures from -15 to -39°Ñ and average July temperatures from +5 to +10°Ñ; average annual precipitation ranges from 200 to 500 mm. Winter lasts for eight to nine months, with strong winds. Summers are short, and the sun does not have time to warm the earth.

The area is located at the confluence of two large rivers, the Sernoi and Enmyvaam and is surrounded by three northern seas (East Siberian, Chukchi, and Bering). The great Anadyr River flows through the very center of the area. The river is 1117 km long, and its basin extends over an area of 150 000 km2. On the southern part of the peninsula near the Kenkeren mountain range, there are a number of glacial lakes that are usually ice-covered until the end of June. The Anyue-Chukchi mountain tundra plateau forms the watershed between the Pacific and Arctic ocean basins. It consists of a series of mountain ranges cut by broad water gaps. The Anadyr Plateau, where the main mountain ranges and river basins originate, is located in the center of the peninsula; and the Koryak Uplands cover the extreme southern part of the area. The Anadyr Lowlands lie between them.

Tundra vegetation predominates on Chukotka, although there are areas of forest tundra and forest in the south and west, where small herds of reindeer graze, keeping a wary eye out for Arctic wolves. Squirrels and foxes are abundant. Rare animals and birds, such as the snow sheep and Kittlitz's murrelet, may also be encountered on the peninsula. Polar bears roam along the coast. For nearly 1000 years, the people of Chukotka have been occupied with fishing and raising domestic reindeer, fur animals, and poultry. Seamen hunt sea mammals such as seals, whales, and walrus.

Chukotka has abundant mineral deposits, including gold, tin, tungsten, and hard and brown coal. Deposits of mercury have also been identified. The Beringovskoe and Anadyrskoe coal deposits have estimated reserves of 10 billion tons. Large oil fields have been discovered on the Chukchi and East Siberian sea shelves, but because of permafrost conditions, large-scale investments will be required to develop them.

ECONOMY
Chukotka Autonomous Area is part of the Far Eastern economic district and the Far Eastern Federal District.

Gold mining is the peninsula's primary industry. Since 1958 alone, nearly 820 tons of gold have been recovered from the gold mines here. By comparison, the gold mines of Alaska and the Klondike have produced about 1000 tons over a period of 100 years. Specialists estimate that Chukotka's alluvial gold reserves are sufficient for 10-15 years. Gold production has decreased to several tons per year in recent years. The Maiskoe deposit (300 tons of reserves) and deposits in Bilibinsky District (450 tons of reserves) are ready for development.

The leading industrial sectors are the power, coal, gold-mining, food, and fishing industries. The city of Anadyr is a center of the food industry, while Uelen is a center for artistic trades.

Agriculture specializes in reindeer herding, fur farming and trapping, sea mammal hunting, and greenhouse vegetable growing.

The main forms of transport are sea (ports of Anadyr, Pevek, Provideniya, Egvekinot, and Beringovsky) and air (airports in Anadyr and Pevek). There are also shipping routes on the Anadyr and Velikaya rivers. The seas play a vital and diversified role in the area's economy. The Bering Sea is acquiring greater economic significance with each passing year as a result of increasing traffic volumes on the Northern Sea Route.

A predominance of imports over exports is characteristic of the area. Chukotka exports coal, scrap metal, and small quantities of fish and reindeer products. The main imports are equipment, petroleum products, building materials, and food.

Small business development is a priority in the area. Further development of small and medium business will help solve many of the area's existing economic problems. The Administration of Chukotka Autonomous Area is focusing attention on problems of forming a unified system of small business development and support in the region.

Future objectives include further development of market relations and a market infrastructure, solution of environmental and demographic problems, and expansion of transportation and economic ties with other regions and foreign countries.

AUTHORITIES
The Administration of Chukotka Autonomous Area is the highest executive body. The Area Duma is the highest legislative body.

CULTURE AND ART
Every nation has its own history, culture, and way of life. Reindeer herding, fishing, sealing, and fur trapping are traditional economic sectors that are governed by a nomadic way of life and the scattered character of settlement. The cultures of the small native groups of the north are on the verge of disappearing due to the loss of native languages, native skills, everyday traditions, crafts, and folklore. The decrease in material and financial investments in culture has played a role in this.

Culture and art are an essential part of daily life of the native people of Chukotka, perhaps one of the most important parts; therefore, despite the difficult conditions, people here are trying to maintain existing cultural centers and even build new ones.

Two municipal museums opened in the area between 1997 and 1999: a museum of bone carving in the village of Uelen, Chukotsky District, and a museum of Chukotka life in the village of Meinypilgyno, Beringovsky District. Altogether, the museums of Chukotka have a fund of more than 50 000 exhibits, such as bone carvings and Chukchi and Eskimo implements.

Many villages have their own distinctive national ensembles. One of these is the world-famous professional concert ensemble Ergyron, which performs not only in the area, but also abroad.

A national college of the arts is also located in the area. It was established as a result of an experiment to introduce national art forms into programs at children's music schools.

TOURISM
Despite Chukotka's harsh climate, many people are drawn to this territory. They include extreme sports lovers, professional athletes, travelers, and plain romantics, who have decided to test themselves. Separated from central Russia by thousands of kilometers of roadless terrain, Chukotka is difficult for travelers to reach. Today, although it is possible to get to Peveka and even more remote locations on winter roads (from January to mid-April inclusive), these routes are long, difficult, and cold. In summer, travelers can reach Chukotka by boat; however, the main form of transport is by air.

The Chukchi Plateau extends through the northeastern part of the area. They consist of a system of rugged mountain ranges and massifs about 450 km long and up to 1843 m high (Iskhodnaya Mountain) that forms the watershed of the Arctic and Pacific ocean basins. This plateau area also attracts tourists. The tourist routes pass mainly through uninhabited areas. Points of interest for the development of combined routes are mountain peaks, such as Leninskogo Komsomola (1810 m), Rubinovaya (1624 m), Skalisty Peak (1646 m) and Konus Mountain (1707 m), and Ioni and Koolen lakes. There are also ski trails over mountain passes (elevation 700-800 m). The starting points for tours are the villages of Enmelen, Novoe Chaplino, Lavrentiya, Lorino, Uelen, and Iultin, which are reached by plane from Anadyr.

Official Site of Chukotka Autonomous Area: http://www.chukotka.org/