| − | '''Sakhalin''' (Сахалин) is an [[island]] in the [[Russia|Russian Far East]], north of [[Hokkaido]]. It has a population of nearly 600,000, and the people there include Russians, Ukrainians, Koreans, Japanese, and [[Ainu]]. The island is a part of Sakhalinskaya Oblast' (Сахалинская область), which also includes the [[Kurile Islands]]. The capital is [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]] (Южно-Сахалинск). | + | '''Sakhalin''' (Сахалин) is an [[island]] in the [[Russia|Russian Far East]], north of [[Hokkaido]]. It has a population of nearly 600,000, and the people there include Russians, Ukrainians, Koreans, Japanese, and [[Ainu]]. The island is a part of Sakhalinskaya Oblast' (Сахалинская область), which also includes the [[Kuril Islands]]. The capital is [[Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk]] (Южно-Сахалинск). |
| | The island was a part of Japan during the early 20th century until [[World War II]], during which it was called '''Karafuto''' (樺太) 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''' (樺太) 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. |