Okhotsk

Okhotsk (English) Охотск (Russian)
-  Urban-type settlement  - Work settlement
Location of Khabarovsk Krai in Russia
Okhotsk Location of Okhotsk in Khabarovsk Krai
Coordinates: 59°22′03″N 143°15′34″E / 59.36750°N 143.25944°E / 59.36750; 143.25944Coordinates: 59°22′03″N 143°15′34″E / 59.36750°N 143.25944°E / 59.36750; 143.25944
Coat of arms
Administrative status
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Khabarovsk Krai
Administrative district	Okhotsky District
Administrative center of	Okhotsky District
Statistics
Population (2010 Census)	4,215 inhabitants
Time zone	VLAT (UTC+10:00)
Founded	1647
Urban-type settlement status since	1949
Postal code(s)	682480
Dialing code(s)	+7 42141
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Okhotsk (Russian: Охотск; IPA: [ɐˈxotsk]) is an urban locality (a work settlement) and the administrative center of Okhotsky District of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, located at the mouth of the Okhota River on the Sea of Okhotsk. Population: 4,215 (2010 Census);5,738 (2002 Census);9,298 (1989 Census).

It was the main Russian base on the Pacific coast from about 1650 to 1860, but lost its importance after the Amur Acquisition in 1860. It is located at the east end of the Siberian River Routes on the Sea of Okhotsk where the Okhota and the Kukhtuy Rivers join to form a poor but usable harbor.

In 1639 the Russians first reached the Pacific 65 miles southeast at the mouth of the Ulya River. In 1647 Semyon Shelkovnikov built winter quarters at Okhotsk. In 1649 a fort was built (Kosoy Ostrozhok). In 1653 Okhotsk was burned by the local Lamuts. Although the Russian pioneers were skilled builders of river boats they lacked the knowledge and equipment to build seagoing vessels which meant that Okhotsk remained a coastal settlement and not a port. In 1682 Okhotsk had eight dwellings and five other buildings. When the Russians entered the Kamchatka Peninsula they had to travel overland from the north.

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Wikipedia