Lesser Kuril Chain

The Lesser Kuril Chain (Russian: Малая Курильская гряда, Japanese: しょうクリルれっとう or 小千島列島), is an island chain in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

The islands are administered as part of Yuzhno-Kurilsky District of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, and many sources consider the chain to be geographically part of the Kuril Islands.

The islands' highest point is a mountain summit on Shikotan, 412 m (1,352 ft) above sea level.

The islands of the chain, along with neighbouring Kunashir, have been recognised as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) by BirdLife International because they support populations of various threatened bird species, including many waterbirds, seabirds and waders.

This Sakhalin Oblast location article is a stub.

Map of Kuril Islands in which the Lesser Kurils are shown in red.