Komandorski Islands

A group of four islands in the southwestern Bering Sea, which form part of the Kamchatka oblast (region) of the Russian Federation. The group comprises the islands of Bering, Medny, and Toporkov, and the rocky outcrop known as Ariy Kamen, covering a total area of 1,848 sq km/714 sq mi.

The Commander Islands are home to many breeding colonies of fur seals and seabirds. Hunting, fishing, and livestock raising are the main occupations of the few Aleut and Russian inhabitants. The islands are named after Vitus Bering (who held the Russian naval rank of commodore), who visited them in 1741.