Chukotsky Autonomous District

General information

The Chukotka Autonomous District is located on the north-eastern tip of Eurasia, between the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, and borders the East Siberian, Chukchi, and Bering Seas.

More than half of its territory lies north of the Arctic Circle and the district is entirely located within Russia’s Arctic zone.

Administrative centre: Anadyr.

Population of the district: approximately 50,000.

Area of the district: 721,500 km².

Time zone: UTC+12. The Chukotka Autonomous District is 9 hours ahead of Moscow.

Cities

Anadyr

Founded in 1889

Population: approximately 15,000

Bilibino

Founded in 1955

Population: approximately 5,000

Pevek

Founded in 1933

Population: approximately 4,500

Economy

Gold and silver mining

The backbone of the county’s economy. In 2021, more than 25 tonnes of gold and 109 tonnes of silver were mined in the region. The inferred resources of these metals are several times higher than the explored reserves.

По итогам 2021 г. получено свыше

25 тонн
золота

Geological exploration

Geological exploration is intensively under way in the district to search for and estimate the reserves of copper, tin, tungsten, and coal deposits, as well as oil and gas on the Arctic shelf.

Reindeer herding and sea fishing

The traditional sector of the economy employs about 1,000 people (reindeer herders and fishermen). The region is home to more than 124,000 deer. Chukotka is the only region in Russia where Indigenous people harvest grey and bowhead whales within the aboriginal quota.

More than

124,000
deer

Sightseeing attractions

Beringia National Park

The picturesque landscapes of Beringia, more than 150 cultural heritage sites, whale and other animal watching, and Cape Dezhnev all attract hundreds of cruise tourists.

Whale Alley

A religious structure dating back to the 14th–16th centuries on the coast of Yttygran Island. The 500-metre long alley is made from the bones of bowhead whales that are dug into the ground. One row consists of two-metre skulls, while the other features the five-metre jaws of these animals.

Pegtymel petroglyphs

The only rock art monument in Russia beyond the Arctic Circle with images of people with mushroom-shaped figures above their heads and scenes from the hunting of deer and marine animals. An ancient dwelling was found nearby.