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The '''Kuril Islands''' are a chain of 22 primary [[island]]s and 32 small [[islet]]s in the [[Russian Far East]], part of Sakhalinskaya Oblast' (Сахалинская область). The 22 primary islands are: Antsiferova, Atlasova, Broutona, Chirinkotan, Chirpoy, Ekarma, Habomai Islands, Iturup, Ketoy, Kharimkotan, Kunashir, Makanrushi, Matua, Onekotan, Paramushir, Raikoke, Rasshua, Shiashkotan, Shumshu, Simushir, Urup & Ushishir. The official names of these islands derived from both the Japanese and the Russians. These islands sits on top of two topographical compositions: the [[Greater Kuril Ridge]] and the [[Lesser Kuril Ridge]]. Both of these ridges  parallels one another, one from the North end and the South. The sections which divides the Kuril Islands can have straits as deep as 6,561 feet below, close to the approximate measurement of the highest peak on one of the islands called, [[Vulkan Alaid]], which is 7,673 feet above sea level. The largest gap recorded between these straits can be as wide as 37 miles.

The '''Kuril Islands''' are a chain of 22 primary [[island]]s and 32 small [[islet]]s in the [[Russian Far East]], part of Sakhalinskaya Oblast' (Сахалинская область). The 22 primary islands are: Antsiferova, Atlasova, Broutona, Chirinkotan, Chirpoy, Ekarma, Habomai Islands, Iturup, Ketoy, Kharimkotan, Kunashir, Makanrushi, Matua, Onekotan, Paramushir, Raikoke, Rasshua, Shiashkotan, Shumshu, Simushir, Urup & Ushishir. The official names of these islands derived from both the Japanese and the Russians. These islands sits on top of two topographical compositions: the [[Greater Kuril Ridge]] and the [[Lesser Kuril Ridge]]. Both of these ridges  parallels one another, one from the North end and the South. The deepest recorded depth from the Kuril Islands is a strait that measures 6,561 feet below sea level & the highest recorded peak is on an island named, [[Vulkan Alaid]], that measures 7,673 feet above sea level. The largest gap recorded between these straits can be as wide as 37 miles.

The Kurils once belonged to [[Russia]], but were under Japanese control at the time of [[World War II]].  Russia seized them from Japan after the end of the WWII, but sovereignty over parts of the islands remains in dispute, and Japan has refused to sign a formal peace treaty with Russia because of disputes over the Kurils and [[Sakhalin]]. Kuril Islands were first occupied by the natives that have lived there for more than a century under the once Soviet Union's rule. In time the islands came under the Japanese control as they first overtook the South end of the islands and came to the North end of the islands. The Japanese considers the Kuril Islands to be their most northern part of their territory, while the Russian sees it as their opportunity to expand their military bases to the South.

The Kurils once belonged to [[Russia]], but were under Japanese control at the time of [[World War II]].  Russia seized them from Japan after the end of the WWII, but sovereignty over parts of the islands remains in dispute, and Japan has refused to sign a formal peace treaty with Russia because of disputes over the Kurils and [[Sakhalin]]. Kuril Islands were first occupied by the natives that have lived there for more than a century under the once Soviet Union's rule. In time the islands came under the Japanese control as they first overtook the South end of the islands and came to the North end of the islands. The Japanese considers the Kuril Islands to be their most northern part of their territory, while the Russian sees it as their opportunity to expand their military bases to the South.