Chain of about 50 small islands stretching
from the NE of Hokkaido, Japan, to the S of
Kamchatka, USSR; area 14,765 sq km/5,700 sq
mi; population (1970) 15,000. Some of them
are of volcanic origin. Two of the Kurils are
claimed by both Japan and the USSR. The
Kurils were discovered 1634 by a Russian
navigator and were settled by Russians. Japan
seized them 1875-1945, when under the Yalta
agreement they were returned to the USSR.
Japan still claims the southernmost (Etorou
and Kunashiri), and also the nearby small
islands of Habomai and Shikotan (not part of
the Kurils). The USSR agreed to the latter
1972, but the question of Etorofu and
Kunashiri prevents signature of a
Japan-Soviet peace treaty.