seaport, Khabarovsk kray (region), eastern Russia. Situated on the southeastern shore of a deep, narrow gulf of the Tatar Strait, the port has one of the best natural harbours of far-eastern Russia. Its development began only on the eve of World War I, and city status was achieved in 1941. Its principal economic activities include woodworking and fishery industries. The city received a great impetus when it became the terminus of a railway from Komsomolsk-na-Amure. Further growth followed the completion in 1980 of the BAM (Baikal–Amur Magistral) railroad because of Sovetskaya Gavan's location near its Pacific terminus. Pop. (1991 est.) 35,400.