Zvyozdny, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug Explained

En Name:Zvyozdny
Ru Name:Звёздный
Coordinates:70.9333°N -179.6°W
Federal Subject:Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
Abolished Date:1970s
Inhabloc Type:Settlement
Established Date:1960s
Adm District Jur:Iultinsky
Mun District Jur:Iultinsky

Zvyozdny is an abandoned settlement on Wrangel Island, in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia. It was abandoned in the 1970s.

Geography

Zvyozdny is located on the southern shore of Wrangel Island, west of Ushakovskoye.[1] It is approximately 702 km from Anadyr,[2] and approximately 5,634 km from Moscow.[3]

History

Early history

The earliest evidence of human habitation in area the dates back to between 2,850 and 3,360 years ago, in the form of knives, harpoons, and other tools from the Paleo-Inuit culture.[4] These ancient inhabitants hunted marine mammals to survive.

Modern history

Wrangel Island was first discovered by Thomas Long, an American whaler. It was claimed by the Russian Empire in 1916, and then by the U.S.S.R. in 1924. The settlement was founded by the Soviet government in the 1960s, but then abolished in the 1970s. The only remaining inhabited area is the Zvyozdny airbase, which was constructed by the Soviets at Cape Hawaii.[5] The base is equipped with S-300 air defence systems, Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft systems, and Rubezh anti-ship coastal systems, as well as radar and electronic warfare capabilities. Training has been held there in recent years.[6]

Climate

The climate of Zvyozdny is arctic, or ET under the Köppen climate classification.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Google Earth . 2021-07-14 . earth.google.com.
  2. Web site: Google Earth . 2021-07-14 . earth.google.com.
  3. Web site: Google Earth . 2021-07-14 . earth.google.com.
  4. Dikov. N. N.. 1988. The Earliest Sea Mammal Hunters of Wrangell Island. Arctic Anthropology. 25. 1. 80–93. 40316156. 0066-6939.
  5. Web site: Boulègue. Mathieu. June 2019. Russia'a Military Posture in the Arctic. . 2021-07-14.
  6. Web site: 2018-07-25 . В Арктике проведена тренировка по обнаружению авиагруппы условного противника . 2021-07-15. Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием.
  7. Web site: Köppen climate classification map. 2021-07-15. Encyclopædia Britannica.