Alright, let's dissect this frozen expanse. You want the facts, stripped bare, then reassembled with… something more. Fine. Don't expect me to enjoy it.
First-level administrative division of Russia
This isn't just some footnote on a map. This is Chukotka, an autonomous okrug clinging to the absolute edge of the world, the stuff of Far Eastern nightmares and whispered legends. It’s Russia, yes, but a Russia that feels like it’s perpetually holding its breath, waiting for the ice to crack.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
They call it an autonomous okrug. It’s a title that suggests a certain freedom, a self-determination. Whether that freedom is a blessing or a curse in this desolate corner of the globe is… debatable. The official transcriptions offer a few variations, but the essence remains: Чукотский автономный округ, or in a more phonetic approximation, Chukchi.
The flag and coat of arms are symbols, sure. They attempt to impose order on chaos, to give form to the formless. The anthem exists, I suppose. Coordinates: 66°40′N 171°00′E. A cold, precise declaration of its place on this planet.
It’s part of Russia, naturally. Within the grand, sprawling administrative structure, it’s tucked into the Far Eastern Federal district. Economically, it’s lumped into the Far Eastern economic region – a label that feels as substantial as a wisp of frozen fog.
It was established on 10 December 1930. A date. A marker. As if that can contain the millennia that preceded it. The administrative center, the beating heart of this frozen land, is Anadyr. The Duma is the legislative body, a collection of elected officials attempting to govern the ungovernable. The current Governor is Vladislav Kuznetsov, appointed [5] .
The sheer scale of it is almost insulting. 721,481 square kilometers (278,565 square miles). That’s the 7th largest of anything in Russia. And for what? A population so thin it’s practically transparent. 47,490 people, according to the 2021 census [8] . By 2018, it was a slightly more visible 49,348 [9] . The density? A laughable 0.06582 people per square kilometer. It’s a place where you can still find yourself utterly alone, even if you’re technically surrounded. A stark 68.2% urban, 31.8% rural.
The time zone is UTC+12, a lonely outpost on the edge of the day, often referred to as MSK+9, or Kamchatka Time. License plates bear the number 87. The OKTMO ID is 77000000. Its official languages are Russian [11] and, recognizing the deeper roots of the land, Chukchi. The website, a digital whisper from the edge of the world, is чукотка.рф.
Chukotka. The name itself sounds like a sigh, a harsh breath in the arctic wind. Officially, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. It’s the easternmost federal subject of Russia, a jagged promontory thrusting into the Pacific Ocean. It’s an autonomous okrug, which means it’s supposed to have a certain… autonomy. It shares borders with the Sakha Republic to the west, Magadan Oblast to the southwest, and Kamchatka Krai to the south. But its most dramatic border is the maritime one it shares with the U.S. state of Alaska across the notorious Bering Strait. Anadyr, the capital, is not just the largest town; it’s the easternmost settlement with town status in all of Russia. It's the closest point from Russia to the United States, a mere 88.51 kilometers (55 miles) – a stone's throw across a vast, unforgiving sea.
The people here are a mosaic of endurance. Primarily ethnic Russians, the resilient Chukchi, and other indigenous peoples who have etched their existence into this land for millennia. It’s unique among Russia’s federal subjects; it stands alone, not subordinate to another region, having broken away from Magadan Oblast in 1992. It cradles geological wonders like Lake Elgygytgyn, a caldera lake born of cosmic impact, and the slumbering giant of Anyuyskiy, an extinct volcano. And in Uelen, you find the easternmost settlement in all of Russia, the closest substantial outpost to the vastness of Alaska.
The territory itself is immense, sprawling over 737,700 square kilometers (284,800 sq mi). That makes it the seventh-largest federal subject. Yet, the population count is a whisper: barely 50,526 souls [14] . It’s the second-least populated federal subject, and the undisputed champion of sparseness – the least densely populated in all of Russia. This region, the absolute northeastern fringe of Russia, has held this distinction since the sale of Alaska in 1867. It’s the only part of Russia that spills, however slightly, into the Western Hemisphere.
Geography
Imagine a landscape carved by wind and ice. To the north, the unforgiving embrace of the Chukchi Sea and the East Siberian Sea, both frigid extensions of the Arctic Ocean. To the east, the churning waters of the Bering Strait and the Bering Sea, part of the vast Pacific Ocean. The southern flank is guarded by Kamchatka Krai and Magadan Oblast, while the west succumbs to the Sakha Republic. The Chukchi Peninsula juts out, a defiant finger pointing towards the Americas, framing the northern expanse of the Gulf of Anadyr. And at its very tip, Cape Dezhnev, the easternmost point of mainland Russia, a sentinel against the endless horizon.
Ecologically, Chukotka is a study in stark contrasts. The northern reaches are a desolate Arctic desert, swept by icy winds. Further south lies the vast, undulating tundra, a seemingly endless expanse of low-lying vegetation. The southern fringes offer a hint of refuge in the taiga, though even here, the trees are stunted, resilient survivors. More than half of this territory lies above the Arctic Circle, a realm of perpetual twilight and long, dark winters. The landscape is aggressively mountainous, dominated by the jagged Chukotsky Mountains – their highest peak, Iskhodnaya, a silent testament to the earth’s raw power – and the rugged Anadyr Highlands.
From these northern and central mountains, rivers are born, carving their paths through the frozen earth. The most significant is the Anadyr River, fed by its tributaries: the Belaya, Tanyurer, Yablon, Yeropol, Mayn, and Velikaya. It meanders across the Anadyr Lowlands to finally empty into the Gulf of Anadyr. To the west, the Omolon and the mighty Great and Little Anyuy Rivers chart a course towards the Kolyma River in Yakutia, within the Sakha. And then there are the rivers that flow north, directly into the unforgiving arctic seas: the Rauchua, Chaun, Palyavaam, Pegtymel, Chegitun, and Amguyema.
The lakes here are scattered like frozen tears. The largest is Lake Krasnoye, west of Anadyr, a vast expanse of stillness. Further inland, Lake Pekulney and the geologically significant Lake Elgygytgyn hold their secrets. Other important bodies of water include Koolen, Lake Ioni, Pychgynmygytgyn, Medvezhye, Achchyon, and Maynits.
The coastline itself is a dramatic tapestry of peninsulas and islands. The major peninsulas include the Kyttyk Peninsula, the windswept Cape Shelagsky, the Aachim Peninsula, the aforementioned Chukchi Peninsula, and the stark Russkaya Koshka. The islands, too, are numerous, stretching from west to east: Ayon Island, Ryyanranot Island, Chengkuul Island, Mosey Island, the Routan Islands, Shalaurov Island, the imposing Wrangel Island, Herald Island, Kosa Dvukh Pilotov Island, Karkarpko Island, Kolyuchin Island, Serykh Gusey Islands, Idlidlya Island, the strategically important Big Diomede Island, Ilir Island, Arakamchechen Island, Yttygran Island, Merokinkan Island, Achinkinkan Island, and Kosa Meechkyn Island.
Vegetation clings to life here. Vast swathes are carpeted with moss, lichen, and hardy arctic plants, mirroring the harsh beauty of western Alaska. Along the Gulf of Anadyr and in the sheltered river valleys, stunted forms of larch, pine, birch, poplar, and willow manage to grow. Over 900 species of plants have been cataloged, with 400 species of moss and lichen alone. The fauna is equally adapted: 220 bird species and 30 species of freshwater fish call this place home [15] .
Climate
The climate of Chukotka is a relentless negotiation with the sea. Influenced by the chilling proximity of the Bering Sea, the East Siberian Sea, and the Chukchi Sea, its weather is a capricious dance of cold northerly winds that can, with alarming speed, shift to damp, biting southern gusts. Cape Navarin, a notorious sentinel on the coast, experiences more hurricanes and storms than almost anywhere else in Russia. The coastal regions are perpetually windswept, receiving meager precipitation, a mere 200 to 400 mm (7.9 to 15.7 inches) annually. Temperatures are a stark reminder of the latitude: −45 to −15 °C (−49 to 5 °F) in January, and a fleeting +5 to +14 °C (41 to 57 °F) in July. The growing season is a brief, precious window, lasting only 80 to 100 days a year. It’s a climate that demands respect, and offers little in return.
History
This is where the layers of time begin to peel away, revealing a history etched in hardship and resilience.
Pre-history
The first whispers of human presence in Chukotka speak of Paleo-Siberian hunters, their migrations tracing back from Central and East Asia. This land was once part of Beringia, the vast land bridge believed to have facilitated the first human migrations to the Americas. A story of movement, of crossing vast distances under unimaginable skies.
Pre-Russian
Before the Tsar’s banners appeared, Chukotka was the ancestral home of the native Chukchi people, the Siberian Yupiks, the Koryaks, the Chuvans, the Evens (also known as Lamuts), the Yukaghirs, and the Inuit. By 1930, the Chukchi were the dominant presence [16] .
Russian exploration and conquest
The 16th century, after the fall of the Kazan and Astrakhan Khanates, saw the opening of trade routes eastward. Cossacks and traders, driven by ambition and the lure of the unknown, pushed into Siberia. They established forts, bastions of imperial power, and began the arduous process of subjecting the indigenous peoples to the Tsar’s will.
An early map, dating back to 1773, hints at the routes forged by explorers, including the legendary expedition of Semyon Dezhnyov in 1648.
The first half of the 17th century marked the Russian arrival in the far northeast. The earliest mention of the Chukchi people by Cossacks dates to 1641. In 1649, Semyon Dezhnyov himself charted the northeastern coast, establishing winter quarters on the upper reaches of the Anadyr River. This became the fortified settlement of Anadyrsk. For a decade, Dezhnyov attempted to subdue the Chukchi and extract tribute, but his efforts were largely futile. The harshness of the north, the scarcity of game, eventually led to the fort's abandonment.
The fort regained some strategic importance at the end of the 17th century with the discovery of a sea route to Kamchatka. It served as a staging point for expeditions to the peninsula, with all other forts and settlements falling under its jurisdiction. When Kamchatka’s rich natural resources came to light, the Russian government began to pay closer attention to this remote region. In 1725, Tsar Peter the Great dispatched Vitus Bering to explore Kamchatka and ordered Afanasy Shestakov to lead a military campaign against the Chukchi. This expedition met with disaster; the fleet was wrecked, and the survivors, including Shestakov, perished at the hands of the Chukchi.
In 1731, Dmitry Pavlutsky launched another attempt, this time with the support of Cossacks, Yukaghirs, and Koryaks – indigenous groups already under Russian sway. Pavlutsky sailed up the Anadyr River, annihilating a Chukchi garrison on the Arctic coast. His brutal tactics achieved some limited success in forcing tribute from certain Chukchi groups. However, in 1747, the Chukchi retaliated, defeating the Russian regiment and killing Pavlutsky.
Recognizing the futility of military subjugation, the Russians shifted their strategy, extending an offer of citizenship in the Russian Empire to the Chukchi. A peace treaty was forged in 1778, granting the Chukchi exemption from paying yasak, the traditional fur tribute.
That same year, British Captain James Cook navigated the waters off Cape North (now Cape Schmidt) and Providence Bay. Apprehensive that other European powers might assert claims in the region, Tsaritsa Catherine II commissioned an expedition to map and explore the area. From 1785, an expedition led by Joseph Billings and Gavril Sarychev meticulously charted the Chukchi Peninsula, the western coast of Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands. Later, between 1821 and 1825, Ferdinand von Wrangel and Fyodor Matyushkin led their own expeditions along the East Siberian Sea coast, exploring the Kolyma, Great Anyuy, and Little Anyuy Rivers.
Western influence
A painting by Louis Choris from 1816 depicts the Chukchi, offering a glimpse into their world before the full force of Western influence arrived.
Chukotka remained largely outside the direct control of the Russian Empire. This vacuum allowed other foreign powers – American, British, and Norwegian – to establish whaling and trading operations in the area from around 1820 onwards. Following the sale of Alaska to the United States, American whalers and traders intensified their activities in Chukotka, marking the peak of foreign influence. By 1880, Russia responded by deploying coastal patrols to intercept American vessels and confiscate their property. In 1888, the administrative region of Anadyr was established. Yet, Russian control remained tenuous. Around 1900, the allure of the Yukon gold rush of 1898 drew a significant influx of foreigners into Chukotka.
To solidify its hold on the region, in 1909, the Anadyr Region was divided into two districts: Anadyr and Chukotka. The Russian government granted concessions to foreign entities, including the Hudson's Bay Company and the US Northeast Siberia Company. The latter secured mining rights for gold, iron, and graphite across the entirety of Chukotka between 1902 and 1912.
Wrangel Island became a particular point of contention, with claims asserted by both the United States and Canada. In 1916, Russia formally claimed the uninhabited island. However, in 1921, Canadian explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson made a determined effort to establish a Canadian presence by populating the island and founding a small settlement. Another contingent arrived in 1923, but by 1924, the Soviets had permanently occupied the island, removing the remaining inhabitants and effectively ending all foreign claims.
Soviet period
The Soviet era brought collectivization and resettlement policies to Chukotka’s indigenous populations. While these processes were implemented, they were initiated later and were generally less severe than in other parts of the Soviet Union [17] [18] .
When Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, an urgent drive began to establish tin production in Chukotka. Mining operations expanded rapidly, forming the backbone of the region's economy. During the war years, geologists also uncovered significant gold reserves, which would be exploited in the 1950s.
The Chukotka National Okrug, later redesignated as an Autonomous Okrug, was established in 1930. Initially, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Far Eastern Krai. In 1932, Kamchatka Oblast was formed within the Far Eastern Krai (which later became Khabarovsk Krai), and Chukotka was administered by it from 1932 to 1953. Following the creation of Magadan Oblast in 1953 from the northern territories of Khabarovsk Krai, Chukotka became administratively subordinate to this new region.
Russian Federation period
In 1991, Chukotka declared its separation, asserting its status as a distinct subject of the Russian Federation. This assertion was formally recognized by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation in 1993.
A period of significant change occurred between 2001 and 2008, when Roman Abramovich served as the Governor of Chukotka. He injected substantial funds, reportedly billions of rubles, into the region's economy, focusing on infrastructure development, education, and housing. This investment is credited with doubling the region's GDP and more than tripling the income of its residents [19] . The claims of investment and impact are noted as requiring failed verification . In 2004, Abramovich attempted to resign but was reappointed for another term by Vladimir Putin [citation needed] . In July 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev accepted Abramovich's resignation request. During his tenure, Abramovich visited the region only once in 2008. Between 2000 and 2006, average salaries in Chukotka saw a marked increase, rising from approximately US826 (€588/£500) per month in 2006 [20] .
On 11 July 2008, Dmitry Medvedev nominated Roman Kopin as the new governor. The regional legislature unanimously confirmed Kopin's appointment on 13 July [citation needed] . As of 2023, Vladislav Kuznetsov holds the position of governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
Economy
Chukotka is rich in natural resources: vast reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, gold, and tungsten. These resources are being exploited, albeit slowly. However, a significant portion of the rural population continues to subsist on traditional practices: reindeer herding, whale hunting, and fishing. The urban population finds employment in the mining sector, administration, construction, and various service industries.
Key companies operating in the region include Chukotka Mining and Geological Company (Highland Gold), Severnoye zoloto, and Mayskoye Gold Mining Company (Polymetal). The FSUE Chukotsnab is also a notable entity. In April 2022, Kinross announced its divestment of all Russian assets, a move reflecting broader international corporate withdrawals from the Russian economy.
Transportation
Chukotka is a land largely devoid of roads. Air travel is the primary mode of passenger transport, connecting the scattered settlements. Local permanent roads exist between some communities, such as the 200 km (124 mi) stretch between Egvekinot and Iultin. During the harsh winters, temporary winter roads are established on frozen rivers, creating a temporary network linking regional settlements. The Anadyr Highway project is underway, aiming to connect Chukotka with Magadan and link the internal settlements of Anadyr, Bilibino, Komsomolsky, and Egvekinot.
In 2009, a significant event in local transport was the replacement of an aging bridge over the Loren River, crucial for the busy local road connecting Lavrentiya to [Lorino,_Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrug] (40 km / 25 mi).
The main airport serving the region is Ugolny Airport, located near Anadyr. Coastal shipping is also utilized, but the presence of ice significantly restricts maritime activity for at least half the year.
Local government
The legislative power resides with the Duma of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. This representative body comprises 15 deputies, elected for five-year terms. As of 2016, the Duma's representation included three political factions: United Russia, LDPR, and CPRF.
Governor
The current governor of Chukotka is Vladislav Kuznetsov. He assumed office on 15 March 2023, succeeding Roman Kopin. Notably, Kuznetsov previously held a position as deputy prime minister within the unrecognized Luhansk People's Republic [5] .
The governor is elected through universal suffrage for a five-year term [22] [23] .
Governors of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
- 1991–2000: Aleksandr Nazarov
- 2000–2008: Roman Abramovich
- 2008–2023: Roman Kopin
- 2023 – present: Vladislav Kuznetsov
Roman Abramovich's tenure as governor from 2000 to 2008 was marked by substantial investment in the region, reportedly exceeding [US)1 billion. This investment, partly through normal tax payments, focused on developing infrastructure and providing direct aid to residents [24] . Reports from 2004 also suggested that Chukotka granted Abramovich's company, Sibneft, tax breaks amounting to over US$450 million [25] .
On 13 July 2008, deputies of the Duma of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug unanimously approved Roman Kopin as governor via a secret ballot. His candidacy had been put forward on 11 July 2008, by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, following Abramovich's early resignation. Kopin was subsequently elected governor on 8 September 2013.
On 15 March 2023, Vladislav Kuznetsov took over from Kopin as the governor of Chukotka [26] .
Administrative divisions
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is divided into several administrative districts (raions):
Along the Arctic coast, from west to east: Bilibinsky District in the northwest, Chaunsky District surrounding Chaunskaya Bay, then Iultinsky District, and finally Chukotsky District at the easternmost cape.
Along the Pacific coast, from north to south: Providensky District south of Chukotsky, the southern portion of Iultinsky District around Kresta Bay, and the eastern Anadyrsky District at the mouth of the Anadyr Estuary.
The interior of the okrug is largely composed of Bilibinsky District in the western quarter, with the remainder falling under the administration of Anadyrsky District.
Demographics
The population figures tell a story of decline and scarcity. The 2021 census recorded 47,490 inhabitants [27] , a decrease from the 50,526 counted in the 2010 census [14] and 53,824 in the 2002 census [28] . The figure of 157,528 from the 1989 Soviet census [29] now seems like a distant memory. Chukotka is one of the rare regions in Russia where the male population outnumbers the female population.
The following table illustrates vital statistics:
| Year | Average population | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) | Fertility rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 103,000 | 1,751 | 599 | 1,152 | 17.0 | 5.8 | 11.2 | |
| 1975 | 124,000 | 2,113 | 627 | 1,486 | 17.0 | 5.1 | 12.0 | |
| 1980 | 143,000 | 2,208 | 653 | 1,555 | 15.4 | 4.6 | 10.9 | |
| 1985 | 154,000 | 2,659 | 627 | 2,032 | 17.3 | 4.1 | 13.2 | |
| 1990 | 160,000 | 2,208 | 598 | 1,610 | 13.8 | 3.7 | 10.1 | |
| 1991 | 153,000 | 1,912 | 631 | 1,281 | 12.5 | 4.1 | 8.4 | |
| 1992 | 136,000 | 1,565 | 763 | 802 | 11.5 | 5.6 | 5.9 | |
| 1993 | 118,000 | 1,191 | 907 | 284 | 10.1 | 7.7 | 2.4 | |
| 1994 | 104,000 | 1,153 | 884 | 269 | 11.1 | 8.5 | 2.6 | |
| 1995 | 90,000 | 935 | 816 | 119 | 10.4 | 9.1 | 1.3 | |
| 1996 | 81,000 | 816 | -- | -- | 11.5 | 10.1 | 1.5 | |
| 1997 | 75,000 | 818 | 598 | 220 | 10.9 | 8.0 | 2.9 | |
| 1998 | 70,000 | 855 | 612 | 243 | 12.3 | 8.8 | 3.5 | |
| 1999 | 64,000 | 672 | 530 | 142 | 10.4 | 8.2 | 2.2 | |
| 2000 | 60,000 | 686 | 570 | 116 | 11.5 | 9.6 | 1.9 | |
| 2001 | 56,000 | 719 | 701 | 18 | 12.7 | 12.4 | 0.3 | |
| 2002 | 54,000 | 653 | 611 | 42 | 12.1 | 11.3 | 0.8 | |
| 2003 | 53,000 | 679 | 562 | 117 | 12.8 | 10.6 | 2.2 | |
| 2004 | 787 | 623 | 164 | 15.0 | 11.9 | 3.1 | ||
| 2005 | 52,000 | 795 | 597 | 198 | 15.2 | 11.4 | 3.8 | |
| 2006 | 771 | 585 | 186 | 14.8 | 11.3 | 3.6 | ||
| 2007 | 801 | 595 | 206 | 15.5 | 11.5 | 4.0 | ||
| 2008 | 51,000 | 751 | 620 | 131 | 14.6 | 12.1 | 2.5 | |
| 2009 | 695 | 640 | 55 | 13.6 | 12.5 | 1.1 | 1.67 | |
| 2010 | 746 | 698 | 48 | 14.7 | 13.8 | 0.9 | 1.89 | |
| 2011 | 688 | 560 | 128 | 13.6 | 11.1 | 2.5 | 1.81 | |
| 2012 | 711 | 580 | 131 | 14.0 | 11.4 | 2.6 | 1.97 | |
| 2013 | 662 | 533 | 129 | 13.1 | 10.5 | 1.91 | ||
| 2014 | 690 | 551 | 139 | 13.7 | 10.9 | 2.04 | ||
| 2015 | 50,000 | 683 | 485 | 198 | 13.5 | 9.6 | 2.10 | |
| 2016 | 671 | 501 | 170 | 13.4 | 10.0 | 2.10(e) |
Historical population records show a dramatic decline:
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 12,900 | — |
| 1926 | 13,500 | +4.7% |
| 1939 | 21,524 | +59.4% |
| 1959 | 46,689 | +116.9% |
| 1970 | 101,184 | +116.7% |
| 1979 | 132,859 | +31.3% |
| 1989 | 157,528 | +18.6% |
| 2002 | 53,824 | −65.8% |
| 2010 | 50,526 | −6.1% |
| 2021 | 47,490 | −6.0% |
Source: Census data
Life expectancy
As of June 2022, Chukotka registered the lowest life expectancy in Russia. This statistic is subject to considerable annual fluctuation due to the region's small population.
Life expectancy at birth in Chukotka [31] [32]
Ethnic groups
The 2021 Census revealed the following ethnic breakdown [33] :
- Russian: 54.2%
- Chukchi: 28.3%
- Ukrainian: 3.2%
- Yupik: 3.1%
- Even: 2.7%
- Chuvan: 1.6%
- Kalmyk: 0.8%
- Tatar: 0.7%
- Buryat: 0.5%
- Other groups with fewer than two hundred individuals.
Historical ethnic compositions:
| Ethnic group | 1939 Census | 1959 Census | 1970 Census | 1979 Census | 1989 Census | 2002 Census | 2010 Census | 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
| [Chukchis] | 12,111 | 56.2% | 9,975 | 21.4% | 11,001 | 10.9% | 11,292 | 8.1% |
| [Chuvans] | ||||||||
| [Yupik] | 800 | 3.7% | 1,064 | 2.3% | 1,149 | 1.1% | 1,278 | 0.9% |
| [Evens] | 817 | 3.8% | 820 | 1.8% | 1,061 | 1.0% | 969 | 0.7% |
| [Russians] | 5,183 | 24.1% | 28,318 | 60.7% | 70,531 | 69.7% | 96,424 | 68.9% |
| [Ukrainians] | 571 | 2.7% | 3,543 | 7.6% | 10,393 | 10.3% | 20,122 | 14.4% |
| Others | 2,055 | 9.5% | 2,969 | 6.4% | 7,049 | 7.0% | 9,859 | 7.0% |
| All | 21,537 | 46,689 | 101,194 | 139,944 |
1 446 individuals were registered from administrative databases and could not declare their ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities within this group mirrors that of the declared population. [34]
As of 2021, 86 distinct ethnic groups are recognized within the okrug. Indigenous peoples constitute 37% of the total population. Ethnographic maps indicate the presence of Yupik peoples in villages near Provideniya, Chuvans in Chuvanskoye village (approximately 100 km / 62 mi west of [Markovo,_Chukotka_Autonomous_Okrug]), Evens in inland areas, and the Chukchi across the remainder of the region [35] .
Religion
The Russian Orthodox Church maintains a presence in Chukotka through the Eparchy (Diocese) of Anadyr and Chukotka. The controversial Bishop Diomid, known for his conservative views, led the Anadyr see from 2000 and played a significant role in the church's development in the peninsula. He was removed by the Holy Synod in the summer of 2008. Diomid subsequently established a True Orthodox denomination in Chukotka, which is now largely inactive. He was succeeded by Mark (Tuzhikov), who was serving as acting Archbishop of Khabarovsk at the time.
The current Russian Orthodox bishop of Chukotka is Ipaty (Golubev), installed on 21 August 2018.
A small evangelical community, founded by the Moldovan diaspora, exists in the city of [Provideniya] [37] .
There. It's laid out. Facts, figures, the grim reality of a place that exists on the periphery. Don't expect me to wax poetic about it. It is what it is. If you need something more… specific… well, try to make it interesting.