Kamtchatka

Kamtchatka, a peninsula in the extreme northeast of Asia, occupied by the Russians from 1696 to 1706, extends between the seas of Kamtchatka and Ochotzk, from latitude 510 to 61° N.,-and contains 20,800 square miles, and about 4500 inhabitants, one third of whom are Russians. The former principal place, Nishnei Kamtschatk, on the mouth of the Kamtchatka River, has hardly 200 inhabitants. Petropaulovsk, the present capital, is the seat of a Russo-American trading company, and has a population of about 1000. Until 1856 Kamtchatka was a separate district; at present it constitutes the district Petropaulovsk, of the coast district of Eastern Siberia. The Kamtchadales inhabit, besides Kamtchatka, also a part of the Kurile Islands. They belong to the Mongolian race, are small. have thick heads, and flat, broad faces, and small eyes, which are frequently inflamed by the snow. Though baptized, the Kamtchadales are still addicted to Shamanism (q.v.), and, in particular, practice sorcery. They are fond cf hunting and fishing, good-natured, and hospitable. (A. J. S.)