The unique island described in this article is the area on which the first people appeared in the 17th century. These were mainly criminals and runaway peasants engaged in piracy on the Caspian Sea, robbing merchant ships passing by them. Here is a village of the same name - the island of Chechnya.
Historical information
In the middle of the 17th century, Old Believer Kirzhachs, driven from the provinces of the Russian Empire, arrived at this secluded place. This group founded the first settlement. They were mainly engaged in fishing.
Fish in those days lived in huge numbers. In this regard, the island was given such a name - "Chechen". This is the name of the fish basket.
The island became a place of exile for convicts from the middle of the 19th century. And after some time a leper colony was created in the village, where local Old Believers looked after the patients.
Acting on the island of Chechnya and today a lighthouse, was erected in 1863 by the British by order of the tsar. By the beginning of the 20th century, the village was a rich settlement. We were engaged here mainly, as noted above, in fishing and its trade. In those days, sturgeons were found here mainly in large quantities.
The fishery collective farm “Pamyat Chapaev”, which later became the advanced economy in the region, was organized under the Soviet regime. After the collapse of the Union, it gradually fell into decline, and the outflow of most of the population began to be observed from the island, which is associated not only with the poor living conditions of people, but also with the strong depletion of fish stocks in the Caspian.
The lack of gas, light and fresh water (a brackish artesian was used), the cessation of regular transport links with the mainland and other inconveniences - all these are the reasons that led to this deplorable state of things.
Geographical position
The village is located in the city of Makhachkala (Kirovsky district of the Republic of Dagestan), on the coast of the Gulf of Agrahan (the western tip of the island). The peninsula, which separates from the Caspian Sea by the bay, in the past was called Uch-Kosa. Today it is known as Agrahan, although old-timers of the Kumyk and Nogai people still call it in the old fashion. And “its torn end” is the very island of Chechnya. An ancient place with an interesting history.
Initially, the island of Chechnya in the Caspian Sea was inhabited exclusively by Russians. To date, only a few old people have remained from that indigenous population. Representatives of the Dagestan peoples now live in the village, to a greater extent Avars, who are engaged in poaching in the summer.
Description, parameters
Chechnya is an island located in the northwestern outskirts of the Caspian Sea, north of the Agrahan Peninsula. Its length is about 15 kilometers, and in places it reaches 10 kilometers. The area of the Chechen island is approximately 55 square meters. km In the sea from the coast stretches of sand spits overgrown with reeds.
The coastline is variable due to fluctuations in sea level, so the island’s area periodically changes. The island itself is deserted, but there are many waterfowl, among which there are quite unique. Real beauty!
At first glance, the island of Chechnya seems pretty sheltered and the only place open to all winds in Dagestan. In fact, the way it is. The climate on the island of Chechnya in Dagestan is dry. The land here is represented by sandstones interspersed with shells on the coastal part. The soil is stunted, although the vegetation is quite picturesque in places, but there are no trees at all. With the onset of sunset on the island comes indescribable fabulous beauty.
The west coast of the island is the location of the village with many randomly sprawling houses. Only some of them are residential, the rest are abandoned or locked away by the owners who left for the cold season.
How to get to the island?
This is not at all difficult. You can get to the island of Chechnya both by air and by water. In Soviet times, there was its own maize, communicating with the mainland. Now you can only get here by motor boat. It is impossible to arrive through the bay by car due to the peculiarities of the soil - it is sandy, and in some places swampy.
You can get to the island from the village of Staroterechye, located on the banks of the Staryerek river (locals call it an old woman), which flows into the Caspian Sea. The river feeds the local population, numerous varieties of noble fish are found on it: trout, salmon, catfish, salmon, carp, pike perch. In winter, this river is covered with a light crust of ice.
