La Perouse Strait. Strait of La Perouse where?

La Perouse Strait is located in the Pacific Ocean, divides the two largest islands. It always had political significance, since the border of two states is located here: Russia and Japan. Discovered by the famous seafarer, sung in the song "From the distant strait of La Perouse", he still presents a great danger to the ships.

Geographical position

The geographical position of the strait makes it significant enough for politics and economy. The Strait of La Perouse shares two huge islands: Sakhalin and Hokkaido. The first of them belongs to Russia, and the second to Japan. In the north, the waters of the Laperuza Strait penetrate deeply into the Aniva Bay in southern Sakhalin. And in the south they fill the bay of Soy. The Strait of La Perouse refers to the Pacific Ocean, it is located on the border of the Japanese and Okhotsk Seas. The whole length of the strait is 94 kilometers. The width in the narrowest part between the islands is 43 kilometers. This segment is located between Cape Krillon on Sakhalin and Cape Soya near Hokkaido (the extreme point of the island and all of Japan). The biggest depth in the strait is 118 meters. The bottom in this offshore section has a large amplitude of fluctuating depths, from shallow reefs to depressions. The banks that wash the Strait of La Perouse, where the mountains are located, are covered with forest with growing bamboo. Only some areas in the gulfs of Aniva and Soy Bay are smoothly descending to the sea, forming sandy beaches. The largest settlements are Wakkanai (Japan), Korsakov (Russia).

Climate

The weather conditions, where the Strait of La Perouse is located, can be called severe and uncomfortable. There are frequent strong winds and fogs, which reduce visibility and make navigation very difficult. Through the Strait of La Perouse passes about a hundred cyclones per year. At the end of the summer, there may be typhoons, the speed of which becomes more than 40 meters per second. Very heavy rains are poured without interruption.

The climate in the strait is moderate monsoon. The average temperature in January is -5, in July +17 degrees. In the winter, the strait freezes and becomes covered with ice crust.

Shipping

In this part of the sea there are important ways of communication. What connects the La Perouse Strait can be seen on the map. Ports that are located on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk, are connected through it to the Sea of Japan and the Bering Sea, as well as to the entire Pacific Ocean.

La Perouse Strait is very dangerous for ships because of natural factors. Shipping is particularly difficult from December to April. A large amount of ice comes from the Tatar Strait, the sea space is hammered. Fogs, rains and snowfalls are frequent here, although they are short because of the strong wind. The reefs that are found here are also of great danger. The shores of the strait have very few bays where vessels can escape from the storm. From captains of ships to pass this site requires a lot of experience and skill.

Origin of the name and history

The name of the strait has found thanks to the seafarer and the fleet officer Jean Francois de Galo Laperouse. It was discovered in 1787 during the circumnavigation of the famous explorer. Sakhalin already at that time belonged to Russia. After passing through the Strait of La Perouse, the expedition moved to the shores of Kamchatka and there sent one participant in the journey, which was to pass through Siberia and report on the results of the round-the-world voyage.

The expedition of La Perouse

In 1785 the expedition left the French port of Brest on two frigates with the names "Astrolabe" and "Bussol". So began a circumnavigation under the command of a naval officer, the very Laperouse was at this time 44 years.

The original purpose of the journey was to explore new lands for possible colonization. France sought in this way to catch up with the British Empire, which was considered a great maritime power. As gifts for the indigenous population, a large number of mirrors, glass beads and metal needles were prepared. It was planned to make a round-the-world voyage, for this it was necessary to pass through the Atlantic, round Cape Horn and explore the Great Southern Sea. This name was formerly the Pacific Ocean, which was discovered 300 years before this event by the Spanish conquistadors, now the Europeans intended to study it in detail.

Two years after leaving France, La Perouse and his team reached the strait. But before this expedition had time to explore the coast of Chile, Hawaii, Alaska, California. Further, they were able to drastically cross the entire Pacific Ocean and find themselves at the mouth of China's Pearl River, then replenish supplies in the Philippines.

In August 1787 the French came to the shore of Sakhalin. So the new strait and its surroundings were opened. Then the expedition moved north and explored the coast of Kamchatka. Then they again returned to the southern latitudes to the shores of Australia and New Caledonia. Since then, the expedition has disappeared, although Laperuz planned to return already in 1789 to his homeland. Only after a certain period of time it turned out that they were wrecked on the reefs off the island of Vanikoro.

Cape Krillon

This is the southernmost point of Sakhalin, which is washed by the Strait of La Perouse, is the tip of the peninsula Krillon. It is precipitous and high, around it are reefs, dangerous for passing ships. The name of his cape was in honor of Louis Balbes de Crillon, who took part in the expedition of La Perouse. Here, on the peninsula, there is a lighthouse and a Russian military unit, as well as a signal cannon from the earliest times. For a long time the peninsula was under Japanese influence because of its proximity to the shores of this country. And only in 1875, when the whole of Sakhalin became Russian, the peninsula Krillon also began to belong to our country.

But almost 30 years later the Russian-Japanese war began, during which our country once again took away half of Sakhalin. But Japan dominated here for about 40 years, and then the peninsula was re-conquered and again became Russian.

The result and traces of all these events can be observed on the Peninsula Krillon. Both the Russians and the Japanese left behind themselves numerous trenches, now overgrown with bamboo. Batteries of tanks stand on the hills, covering convenient bays, where an enemy could land. Shipping along the coast and in the vicinity, as already mentioned, is difficult because of the very frequent fogs and strong currents. The need for a lighthouse was undeniable, so here in 1883 the first lighthouse appeared from the tree on the highest spot. In 1894, for the construction of a new similar structure used red Japanese brick. Currently, this lighthouse is one of the main attractions on Cape Krillon. In 1893 a weather station was built here, since then weather observations have been conducted here.

The Stone of Peril

It is a rock that is located not far (14 kilometers) from Cape Krillon. It is located in the Sea of Okhotsk, southeast of the extreme point of Sakhalin. It is a pile of stones on which there is no vegetation. The rock is elongated in shape, its length is 150 meters, width is 50. The Danger's Stone was discovered by the expedition of La Perouse, and this seafarer was the first to describe it. The rock has always been a significant obstacle to the passage of ships through the strait, as there are reefs around it that create a danger. The algae that grow in these places are so thick and strong that they wound on the propellers of ships, causing numerous accidents. At one time sailors on ships listened to the sea. Distinguishing from the general noise of the roar of Steller sea lion, it was determined that there was a Stone of Peril nearby. These are called large eared seals, arranging their rookeries on the rocks off the coast of Sakhalin. They especially loved the Stone of Danger.

Port of Korsakov

Located in the south-eastern part of the bay of Salmon. This port is the largest on the island of Sakhalin. It consists of an outer and an inner harbor. The Japanese began building it in 1907. After the end of the Great Patriotic War, when part of Sakhalin was won, the port of Korsakov became part of the Soviet Union. He was the link between the mainland and Sakhalin.

Facts about the Strait of La Perouse

With good visibility from the island of Hokkaido, you can view the shore of Cape Krillon (Sakhalin).

In Japan, this strait is now called Soya.

When the Strait of La Perouse was discovered by a French seafarer, during the expedition it was concluded that Sakhalin is a peninsula, a part of Eurasia.

Many wanted to enter the expedition of Laperuz, there was a fierce struggle, among the contenders was Napoleon Bonaparte from the island of Corsica. If it were taken, France's fate would have been different, for in just a few years the capture of the Bastille and the revolution will take place. And then Napoleon will declare himself emperor and begin wars that will shake the whole world.