Information AboutUruppu |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT URUP | |
| kuril islands | |
| hokkaidÅ prefecture | |
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HISTORY The island was originally inhabited by Ainu , the native peoples of the Kurils, Sakhalin and Hokkaido . It was first discovered by Europeans in 1643 , when a ship of the Dutch East India Company landed there, probably seeking furs. Russian fur traders appeared in the 18th century, hunting Sea Otter and seizing foreign ships in the area. There were clashes between the Russians and the Ainu in 1772 , and the Russians left for a time, but soon returned. In 1801 , the Japanese government officially claimed control of the island, incorporating it into Ezo Province (now Hokkaido Prefecture). This would soon lead to clashes with Russia over Urup and the other Kurils. The island officially became Russian territory in 1855 , with a treaty that established a border at the strait between Urup and Etorofu , but was traded back to Japan twenty years later in exchange for Sakhalin Island. It was during this time that the island came under the administration of the Hokkaido prefectural authorities, and the Ainu were forced out. The island remained under Japanese authority until August of 1945 , when Soviet forces invaded Manchuria and the Kurils, sending the Japanese inhabitants of Urup back to Hokkaido. In 1952 , upon signing the Treaty Of San Francisco , Japan renounced its claim to the island. |
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