Kamchatka is situated on the extreme east of Russia and occupies the territory of about 472,300 sq.km. From the West it is washed by the Okhotsk sea, from the east - by the Pacific ocean and the Bering sea. It is extended from north-northeast to the south-southwest for 1200 km.It is up to 450 km wide.
Kamchatka and Kuril Islands are the only regions of modern vulcanization in the country and come in the so called Pacific fiery ring. Kamchatka has 300 extinct volcanoes and 29 active ones. Just in 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski is situated the Koryak group of volcanoes: Avachinski, Koryak and Kozelski volcanoes, which are an integral part of the city view and amaze by their majestic beauty all the comers. The natural companions of volcanoes are the mud volcanoes, hot springs and geysers. There are about 200 unique mineral springs in Kamchatka. The nearest exit of the hot underground waters is situated in 30 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the region of settlement Paratunka. On these springs numerous rest houses, children camps, health centers, which had become the favorite place of rest and treatment of inhabitants of Kamchatka and tourists, were built. Especially the comers are struck by the possibility to swim in a big open pool filled with thermal water even in winter in any frost. The re are more than 14 000 rivers and streams on Kamchatka, more than 100 000 big and small lakes. The water surprises with its cleanness. By the way, Kamchatka is one of the few places in Russia where you can use the water for drinking from water-supply tap. The mineral water from several wells is used for the cure of many stomach, liver and kidney diseases.
