Chukot Autonomous Okrug

Region formerly within the Magadan oblast (region) in the Russian Far East, but now independent of Magadan; area 737,700 sq km/284,826 sq mi; population (1996) 91,000 (66% Russians, 17% Ukrainians, 7% Chukchi). The capital is Anadyr. The region lies partly within the Arctic Circle, bordering on the Bering Sea in the east and the East Siberian Sea in the north; it is crossed by the Anadyr river system. In the north is the Chukot mountain range. Chief industries are mining (gold, tin, coal, mercury) and nuclear power generation; reindeer breeding, hunting, and fishing are also important activities.

Exploration of the area by Russia first took place in the 1640s; the indigenous Chukchi were badly affected by diseases brought by the Russians. Chukot was made a National Okrug of the Soviet Union in 1930, and gained autonomous status in 1977.