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'''Sakhalin''' is an [[island]] in the [[Russia|Russian Far East]], north of [[Hokkaido]]. It has a population of nearly 200,000, and the people there are include Russians, Ukrainians, Koreans, Japanese, and [[Ainu]]. The island is a part of Sakhalinskaya Oblast', which also includes the [[Kurile Islands]]. The capital is [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]].

'''Sakhalin''' is an [[island]] in the [[Russia|Russian Far East]], north of [[Hokkaido]]. It has a population of nearly 600,000, and the people there are include Russians, Ukrainians, Koreans, Japanese, and [[Ainu]]. The island is a part of Sakhalinskaya Oblast', which also includes the [[Kurile Islands]]. The capital is [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]].

The island was a part of Japan during the early 20th century until [[World War II]], during which it was called '''Karafuto''' in [[Japanese language|Japanese]]. Most of the 500,000 Japanese were deported after the war's end but some of the descendants of the deportees have started returing to Sakhalin, as late as the 21st century.

The island was a part of Japan during the early 20th century until [[World War II]], during which it was called '''Karafuto''' in [[Japanese language|Japanese]]. Most of the 500,000 Japanese were deported after the war's end but some of the descendants of the deportees have started returing to Sakhalin, as late as the 21st century.