Uelen
Uelen (Russian Уэлен ) is a village in the Autonomous District of the Chukchi (Russia) with 720 inhabitants (as of October 14, 2010 ).
It is located on the Chukchi Peninsula, near the Arctic Circle and near the easternmost point of the Asian mainland, the Cape Deschnjow. The most famous son of the town is the writer Yuri Sergeyevich Rytcheu ( 1930-2008 ). Uelen is nationally known for its intricate carvings from Walrossbein. The place now serves mainly as a base for scientific and archaeological expeditions in Chukotka.
1934 became the place in the international headlines when the survivors of the Tscheljuskin - destruction were flown in a protracted rescue operation after Uelen.
In March 2006, the adventurer Karl Bushby and his companion Dimitri Kieffer crossed the frozen Bering Strait in their attempt a circumnavigation of the world on foot. On 1 April 2006 they were stopped near Uelen account of their illegal border crossing by Russian officials. After a trial and the intervention of the Governor Roman Abramovich Bushby was able to continue his journey.
Uelen in the winter of 1934
Sons and daughters of the town
- Yuri Rytcheu (1930-2008), writer