Kamchatka area

Geographical location
Kamchatka area is situated in the south-east of Russia, including Kamchatka peninsula and Komandorskie islands. Length of Kamchatka from north to south is 1600 km, width of peninsula part - 450 km, continental - 640 km.
In Kamchatka there are 29 active volcanoes, about 300 volcanic constructions. Kamchatka is rich in rivers and brooks - more than 14 thousand. Great numbers of them have length of 10 km, only 105 rivers - more than 100 km.
Geographic position, sea surrounding and the Pacific Ocean, the relief influences diverse and changeable weather. Coasts of Kamchatka have features of sea climate. In the central and northern districts the climate is continental.
Due to sea surrounding and geographic position Kamchatka is gaining intercontinental meaning in transport system on directions Europe - America, Europe - South-Eastern-Asia, South-Eastern Asia - America.

Administrative division
Kamchatka region has 7 districts. Administrative centre is Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Area of Kamchatka region is 170,800 sq. km.

Economics
Economics of Kamchatka has its own peculiarities. Production complex of the region is presented by industry, sea and air transport, agricultural and building work.
Fish specialization of the region is the most effective, on its base all production and labour potential work. 90% of overall catches occupies active fishing. There is a great competition for raw resources and markets.
The second important branch is forest and wood-working industry. Its production is traditionally exported. Wood goods are in a little demand in Kamchatka. Manufacturing potential of the branch is used only in 50.
Regional economic policy is founded on following directions:

• conversion to the open, independent policy
• establishment and consolidation of economic relations in Asia-Pacific region
• development of power engineering, using own fuel-power resources
• reform of transport fleet
• usage of mineral resources
• solution of social problems.