Kholmsk

Kholmsk is a port town and the administrative center of Kholmsky District in Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. It is located on the west coast of Sakhalin Island, on the Tatar Strait, approximately 83 kilometers (52 miles) west of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the oblast's capital.

History:

Founded in 1870 as Maoka (真岡) by Japanese settlers after the Treaty of St. Petersburg (1875), which ceded the Kuril Islands to Japan in exchange for Russia's rights to Sakhalin. Maoka served as an important port and administrative center during the period of Japanese rule (1905-1945), following the Russo-Japanese War.

Following the Soviet invasion of South Sakhalin in August 1945, Maoka was captured by Soviet forces. In 1946, it was renamed Kholmsk and granted town status. The Japanese population was largely repatriated to Japan after the war.

Economy:

Kholmsk's economy is largely dependent on its port. It is a major transit point for goods between Sakhalin Island and the Russian mainland, particularly the city of Vanino on the Khabarovsk Krai coast. The port handles various types of cargo, including coal, timber, and seafood. Fishing and fish processing are also important industries in the town.

Transportation:

Kholmsk is a railway terminus, connected to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk by the Sakhalin Railway. A ferry service operates from Kholmsk to Vanino, providing a crucial transportation link to the mainland. The town also has a small airport.

Demographics:

The population of Kholmsk has fluctuated over time. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 30,937.

Notable Features:

• Kholmsk Naval Base.
• Local History Museum.
• Various monuments commemorating historical events.