Country Russian Federation | ||
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Federal subject |
The Spafaryev Islands, or Spafaryev Island (Остров Спарафьева; Ostrov Spafar’yeva), a relatively large double island, are located in the Sea of Okhotsk. It lies 7 km east of the Antamlan Peninsula (also known as Khmitevsky), the southernmost peninsula enclosing the Taui Bay (Тауйская губа; Tauyskaya Guba) from its western side.
Contents
Map of Spafaryev Islands, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685940
Administratively these islands belong to the Magadan Oblast of the Russian Federation.
Etymology
The Spafaryev Islands were named after Major General knight Leontiy Spafaryev (1765–1847) of the Imperial Russian Navy. Spafaryev was Director of the Russian Lighthouse Administration and cartographer of the Russian Admiralty.
History
The islands were frequented by American whaleships hunting bowhead whales between 1853 and 1861. Talan was called Green Island, while Spafaryev was called Fog Island. Boats were sent ashore Spafaryev to search for whales.
Geography
The Spafaryev Islands are composed of two islands joined by a narrow landspit, less than 750 m wide.