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Cape Crillon

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Cape Crillon is a significant geographic feature located in Russia. It serves as the southernmost point of Sakhalin.

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

This cape sits near the La Pérouse Strait. This body of water separates the cape from Cape Sōya in Japan. Because of this position, the cape acts as a vital boundary between two nations. It is a place where land, sea, and history intersect.

Today, the cape is an active site for several different functions. It hosts a Russian weather station to monitor local conditions. A lighthouse stands there to guide ships through the strait. There is also a military base located on the land. These facilities show that the area remains strategically important.

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

The cape is also linked to a massive infrastructure proposal. This is the Sakhalin–Hokkaido Tunnel project. This proposed rail tunnel would connect Russia and Japan by train.

The geography of the area includes unique natural formations. On the western coast of the cape, there is a specific rock formation. In the past, Japanese speakers referred to this site as Kinfugan. This name translates literally to "Anvil Rock."

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

Such landmarks help people identify and navigate the rugged coastline. The peninsula itself forms a distinct shape as it reaches into the sea.

European discovery of the cape is tied to a specific explorer. Jean-François de La Pérouse was a Frenchman who reached this area. He was the first European to discover the cape. He chose to name the location Cape Crillon. This naming marked the beginning of European records for this specific Russian point.

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

Detailed historical surveys took place in the early 19th century. In 1808, a man named Mamiya Rinzō was sent to explore the region. He was dispatched by the Tokugawa shogunate. His mission was to survey Japanese territory on Sakhalin. He arrived at a Matsumae domain outpost called Shiranushi. This outpost sat on the southern tip of Cape Crillon.

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

During his travels, local Ainu people provided him with important guidance. They directed him to a specific site containing remains of rammed earth walls.

Archaeological evidence has revealed a complex history for these ruins. These old walls eventually became known as the Matsumae castle. In 1905, researchers discovered Matsumae documents. These papers suggested that Imai Kanehira might have built the castle. However, modern archaeological evidence offers a different perspective. Scientists now believe the castle was a colonial product of the Yuan dynasty.

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

This suggests the area was part of a much older political system.

The Yuanshi, a historical text, provides further details about this era. It mentions a general named Yangwuludai. According to the text, this general crossed the sea to reach Sakhalin. He is credited with building the castle of Guohuo on the island. This connection links the geography of Cape Crillon to ancient imperial history. The site serves as a physical link to the movements of the Yuan dynasty.

Крильонский полуостров
Крильонский полуостров

It shows how distant powers once reached this remote edge of the world.

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File:Крильонский полуостров.jpg
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