Traditionally the home of the native Chukchi people, the region was subject to collectivisation and forced settlement during the Soviet era.
Chukotka has large reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, gold and tungsten, which are slowly being exploited, but much of the population exists on subsistence reindeer herding, hunting and fishing.
The governor of Chukotka, oligarch Roman Abramovich, has spent millions of dollars in the region on developing infrastructure and providing direct aid to the inhabitants.