The unique island described in this article is an area where the first people appeared in the 17th century. They were mostly criminals and runaway peasants who were engaged in piracy in the Caspian Sea, robbing merchant ships passing next to them. Here is the village of the same name - Chechen Island.
Historical information
Kirzhach-Old Believers, persecuted from the provinces of the Russian Empire, arrived at this secluded place in the middle of the 17th century. This group founded the first settlement. They were mainly engaged in fishing.
Fish here in those days lived in huge quantities. In this regard, the island was given such a name - "Chechen". This is the name of the fish basket.
The island has been a place of exile for convicts since 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 sick.
The lighthouse operating on the island of Chechnya and today was erected in 1863 by the British by orderking. The village by the beginning of the 20th century was a rich settlement. Engaged here mainly, as noted above, fishing and its trade. Sturgeon were found here in those days mainly in large quantities.
The fishing collective farm “Pamyat Chapaev”, which later became the leading farm in the region, was organized under Soviet rule. After the collapse of the Union, it gradually fell into decay, and an outflow of most of the population began to be observed from the island, which is associated not only with the unsettled life of people, but also with the severe depletion of fish stocks in the Caspian Sea.
Lack of gas, electricity and fresh water (brackish artesian was used), the termination of regular transport links with the mainland and other inconveniences - all these are the reasons that led to this deplorable state of affairs.
Geographic location
The village is located in the city of Makhachkala (Kirovsky district of the Republic of Dagestan), on the coast of the Agrakhan Bay (the western tip of the island). The peninsula, separated from the Caspian Sea by a bay, was called Uch-Kosa in the past. Today it is known as Agrakhan, although the old-timers of the Kumyk and Nogai population still call it the old way. And “its torn off end” is the very island of Chechnya. An ancient place with an interesting history.
Initially, Chechen Island in the Caspian Sea was inhabited exclusively by Russians. To date, only a few old people from that indigenous population have remained here. Now live in the village and representatives of the Dagestanpeoples, to a greater extent - the Avars, engaged in poaching in the summer.
Description, parameters
Chechen is an island located in the northwestern outskirts of the Caspian Sea, north of the Agrakhan Peninsula. It is approximately 15 kilometers long and up to 10 kilometers wide in places. The area of Chechen Island is approximately 55 sq. km. Sandy spits overgrown with reeds stretch out into the sea from the shores.
The coastline is changeable due to fluctuations in sea level, so the area of the island also changes periodically. The island itself is deserted, but many water birds live here, among which there are quite unique ones. Real beauty!
At first glance, Chechen Island seems rather homeless and the only place in Dagestan open to all winds. In fact, that's the way it is. The climate on Chechen Island 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, an indescribable fairy-tale beauty sets in on the island.
The west coast of the island is the location of the village with a lot of scattered houses. Only some of them are residential, the rest are abandoned or locked up for the cold season by the departed owners.
How to get to the island?
It's not hard at all. Get to the islandChechnya is possible both by air and by water. In Soviet times, there was a corn grower here, which communicated with the mainland. Now you can get here only by motor boat. It is impossible to drive across 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 Starotherechye, located on the banks of the Staryterek River (the locals call it the old woman), which flows into the Caspian Sea. The river feeds the local population; numerous species 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.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, places that are the most unique nature reserve, together with the village, are slowly dying out. But there are such fabulous birds here: storks, herons, pink flamingos, pelicans, etc. Gradually dying out, the village turns into a pasture for grazing livestock and a refuge for hunters-poachers, who are always in sufficient numbers here.
