Gizhiga

Gizhiga lies on the river of the same name near the head of Gizhigin Bay, an inlet of the Sea of Okhotsk. The river valley leads inland from the coast toward the northern approaches to Kamchatka. Fish, furs and the movement of people between the bay and the interior gave this remote northern place importance in the Russian expansion into northeastern Siberia.

In 1752 a Russian fortress was established here to secure the overland route from Okhotsk to Kamchatka, which had been disrupted by conflict with Koryak communities. Gizhiga grew into an administrative and regional trading centre. Grain had to be brought from Okhotsk, while fish supplied much of the inhabitants' food and furs were carried away on returning merchant ships.