KAMTCHATKA, kilin-clint'kh. A peninsula at the eastern each of Siberia, extending in a southerly direction between Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk from latitude 51° to about 60° N. It is about 700 miles long, and varies in width from 70 to 250 miles. Area, 104.000 square miles. The northern part is a flat tundra. The remainder of the peninsula is chiefly moun tainous. The central ridge does not extend through the entire length of the peninsula, as is generally believed, hut lady to about latitude 57' N. East of the central ridge is the volcanic chain. The highest point of the peninsula is the extinct voleano Ilrhiuskaya (16.920 feet). There are known to exist twelve active volcanoes in Kamtchatka, all east of the central ridge and twemr-six extinct voleanoes. also mostly in the eastern part of the peninsula. The highest of the active volcanoes are the Klutehevskaya (over 16.000 feet) and the Great Shivelyntch (over I(1.0(10 feet). In 1899 glaciers were found on some of the mountains. The southern part of the central ridge is composed (-Welly of granites. syenitcs, porphyries, and crystalline slates. while in the north Tertiary sandstone and volcanic rock: are most prominent. The voleanie origin of the peninsula is also manifested by the numerous hot springs. The rivers of Kamtehatka mostly take their rise in the central chain. and flow either into Bering Sea or the Sea of Okhotsk. An exception is presented by the river Kamtehatka (325 miles long), which flows north east through a valley between the central range and the volcanic chain, and then turns eastward. emptying into Bering Sea. While the annual aver age temperature is very low, the winters are not very severe. The elimate of the western part of the peninsula is perceptibly colder than that of the eastern part. the differenee being due to the floating ice and cold currents of the Sea of Okhotsk. The annual average temperature at Petropavlovsk (on the eastern coast in about latitude 53° N.) i= about 311°. ranging from about 59° in August to 14° in Febrnary. In the valleys of the interior the temperature is some what higher. The precipitation is very abun dant, and winter lasts for about nine mouths. Kamtchatka, notwithstanding, has a rich flora. With the exception of the tundras in the north, the surfaee is covered with extensive forests, both coniferous and deciduous. The grasses are characterized by unusual height. The fauna dif fers somewhat from that of the mainland. The chief wild animals include the bear, the fox, the sable, the ermine, etc. Along the coasts are found the fur-seal, the walrus, and many varieties of fish. Of lll i l mends, Kamtchatka has native copper, iron, and sulphur—none of them worked. The principal occupations of the inhabitants are tishiag and hunting, all attempts at agrieulture having practically failed on account of the un favorable climatic conditions. Fish is the staple
of the peninsula. The commerce is controlled by a trading company, and most of the imports come from the United States. Barter trade prevails almost exclusively outside of Petropavlovsk, the capital. The population. 7199 in 1888, is com posed of KamtchadalVs, Koryaks, Telinktehis, and Russians. The Kandehadales are found in the central and southern parts of the peninsula. They are not over 4000 in number. and speak a Ian gmmage regarded by some authorities as standing almost by itself. Physically they belong to the Siberian section of the Alongolian race, and are small-statured, but strongly built. The Kam tchadales are fishermen and hooters. Of the ap pearance, manners, and morals of the Kamteha dales, the earlier writers have transmitted no very pleasing record ; but Erman (1833, 1871) and Kennan (1870, 1879) praise their hospital ity, honesty, and good behavior. Their musical and dramatic talent was noted by Steller in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Their na tive religion was a Shamanism. The Kamtchadales are becoming more and more Rus sianized, and the religion of most of them is now nominally Greek Catholieism. Like many other Siberian peoples. they are by no means as near disappearance as is commonly supposed. The Koryaks and the Tehuktehis are found chief ly north of 57°. and still profess Shamanism to some extent. The Missions are found in Pe tropavlovsk, which has the hest roadstead of the peninsula, Verklme - Kamtchatsk and Nizhne Kamtehatsk, in tha valley of the Kamtehatka River, and a few other settlements. The Rus sians first came into Kamtehatka at the end of the seventeenth century. and founded a number of settlements at the beginning of the following century. In 1S03 the peninsula was made a separate administrative division. and in 1855 it was ineorporated with the territory of Primossk, of which it still forms a district. Consult: Be Benyovsky. Memoirs and Trarels, translated by Nicholson (New York, I893) ; Petermann's MU Icifunyen (Gotha. 1891) : Hamilton. "Kam chatka." in Scottish Geographical Magazine, with bibliography. vol. xv. (Edinburgh. 1899) ; Ken nail. Tent Life in Siberia (New York, 1870) ; Bush, Reindeer, Dons, and 8»oirshoes (i.b., 1871); Nordenskiiild, Voyage of the reg.», translated (London, 1881-R5).
KA/gADA, kfi-n:i'dO (Skt., atom-eater, from kapa, atom lc ad. to eat). A celebrated thinker of ancient India. founder of the atomic school, or Vaiseshika system of Hindu philosophy. Pk name seems originally to have been bestowed upon him as a nickname, but, if so, it has sup planted his real name. Beside this he was also dubbed 'Atom-Devourer,' Kana-bhaksha, Kana bhuj. According to some he was identical with the sage Kagyapa, as holding the individuality of single spirits as distinct from the Supreme Spirit.
See VAIgESIIIKA.