Kunashir

Kunashir Island (Russian: Кунаши́р, romanized: Kunashír; Japanese: 国後島, romanized: Kunashiri-tō; Ainu: クナシㇼ, romanized: Kuna=sir), possibly meaning Black Island or Grass Island in Ainu, is the southernmost island of the Kuril Islands archipelago. The island has been under Russian administration since the end of World War II, when Soviet forces took possession of the Kurils. It is claimed by Japan (see Kuril Islands dispute).

Kunashir Island
Disputed island
Native name:
Ainu: クナシㇼ
Map of Kunashir and the adjacent islands
Location of Kunashir Island
Kunashir Island
Kunashir Island
Other namesKazakh: Kün Ashyr; Japanese: 国後島
Geography
LocationSea of Okhotsk
Coordinates44°07′N 145°51′E
ArchipelagoKuril Islands
Area1,490 km2 (580 sq mi)
Length123 km (76.4 mi)
Width4 km (2.5 mi) to 30 km (19 mi)
Highest elevation1,819 m (5968 ft)
Highest pointChacha
Administration
 Russia
Federal subjectSakhalin Oblast
DistrictYuzhno-Kurilsky
Claimed by
PrefectureHokkaido
SubprefectureNemuro
Demographics
Populationapprox. 7000 (2007)
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