Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

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Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Ю́жно-Сахали́нск) is a city on Sakhalin Island, Russia, administrative center of Sakhalin Oblast (which includes the whole island and the Kurils). In Japanese. The city's other names were Toyohara (豊原), Vladimirovka(1905-1946)

The city is on the Susuya River (also called the Black River). Population: 175,085 (2002 Census); 187,000 (2000 est.). Location: . It is served by Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport.

History

The city began as a small Russian settlement called Vladimirovka, founded by convicts in 1882. The Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905, which brought an end to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, awarded the southern half of Sakhalin Island to Japan. Vladimirovka was renamed to Toyohara (meaning "Valley of the fecundity"), and was the prefect capital of Japanese Karafuto.

After the end of World War II, the Japanese portion of Sakhalin island was occupied by Soviet troops. Ownership of the city transferred back to Russia (then the RSFSR) and it was renamed Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Present day

Today things are looking up for Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, ExxonMobil and Shell have been investing heavily in the area, although most of this has been on the northern half of Sakhalin. The demand for natural resources by the Japanese, Chinese, and South Koreans are giving the entire island an opportunity for continued prosperity. There has been significant criticism, including from PolPred Kamil Iskhakov, that Sakhalin is not caring for its citizens. Despite being awash with gas deposits and incoming investments from gas companies, the regional administration does not yet have plans for installation of gas service on the island. The oblast also continues to have the highest rate of juvenile crime in all of Russia, and more than 40% of its businesses are unprofitable.

One of very few remaining Japanese buildings in Yuzhno Sakhalinsk is one of the most impressive ones as well; it is a museum now.

Institutes of higher education in the city include Sakhalin State University.

Demographics

Most residents are Russians, but there is also a sizable population of Koreans as well. Of 43,000 Sakhalin Koreans, half are estimated to live in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, making them roughly 12% of the town's population. Smaller numbers of indigeneous minorities, such as Ainu, Nivkhs, and Oroks can also be found.

External links

References

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Last updated on Tuesday July 22, 2008 at 12:40:36 PDT (GMT -0700)
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