KAILTCHATICA, PENINSULA OF, forms the s.e. extremity of Siberia, from which it stretches southward, extending in lat. between 51° and 60° a., and in long, between 155° 40' and 164° 20' cast. It is 725 in. long, and averages 190 in. in breadth. A chain of volcanic mountains traverses the center of the peninsula, and gives rise to the rivers, of which the Kamtchatka is 150 m. in length. There are about 14 volcanoes in the penin sida, the most remarkable of which—the volcano of Plutchevsky—is 16,000 ft. high. This mountain now only emits-smoke and embers; but in former times, eruptions used to take place every seven or eight years. The soil, in general, is stony; but there are many tracts of mountain-slope which are arable. Agriculture, however,. is much hindered by untimely frosts, periodical rains, and sometimes by multitudes of mice and rats. The bread required by the inhabitants of the fortresses of Petropaulovsk and Tagil is supplied from Okhotsk. The principal occupations of the inhabitants are fishing and hunting. Tlte most valuable domestic animal is a peculiar kind of dog which never
barks. Kamtchatka was annexed to Russia at the end of the 17th c., after the expedi timi of the Cossack chief Atlasof. Pop. 10,000, made up of Kamtchadales, Kourdetri, Ornototzi, and Russians. The Kamtchadales—the preponderating race of the inhabi tants—live mostly in the south. They are small in stature, with a large head, broad face, black hair, small eyes, broad shoulders, and hanging lips and stomach. Formerly they lived in tents made of branches; they now d well in huts. They have nominally embraced Christianity, but retain much of their savage nature and superstitions. Nijni-Kamt chatsk, the chief town of the government, is situated on the river .Kamtchatka. The fort of Petropaulovsk, with a fine harbor covered with ice only during a brief period of the year, is most picturesquely situated, and enjoys a healthful climate.