Olyutorsky District
# Olyutorsky District

Olyutorsky District (Russian: Олю́торский райо́н) is an administrative and municipal district (raion) of Koryak Okrug of Kamchatka Krai, Russia, one of the eleven in the krai. It is located in the northeast of the krai. The area of the district is 72,352 square kilometers (27,935 sq mi). Its administrative center is the rural locality (a selo) of Tilichiki. Population: 5,036 (2010 Census); 7,170 (2002 Census); 12,833 (1989 Census). The population of Tilichiki accounts for 34.6% of the district's total population.

## Geography

The major rivers in the district are the Pakhacha and Apuka, having their headwaters close to the north-flowing Mayn River, as well as the Ukelayat and the Velikaya River flowing into the Bering Sea. Lantzeff speaks also of the Olyutora River, which does not appear on modern maps and which he distinguishes from the Pakhacha. The Olyutor Range, Pikas Range and Ukelayat Range mountain chains, as well as the southern part of the Komeutyuyam Range are in the district.

## History

In 1714, Russians built the ostrog (fortress) of Olyutorsk to control the coast and land route from Kamchatka to Anadyrsk; a function it shared with Aklansk. It was besieged by the Yukaghirs and Koryaks. It lost its importance after the sea route from Okhotsk was opened.

## Demographics

The Alyutors, a branch of the Koryaks lived in the area or somewhat west. There were also Yukaghirs, some of whom had been brought south by the Russians.

* Russians – 43.8%
* Chukchi – 23.1%
* Koryaks – 21.5%
* Evens – 5.9%
* Ukrainians – 2.5%
* Tatars – 0.6%
* Others – 2.6%
