The total land area is 10,503.2 square kilometres (4,055.3 sq mi) and the total population is 19,434. All the islands are currently under Russian jurisdiction, and most are internationally recognized as Russian.
As the summer progresses and the fruits reach full size remove a few leaves to allow the fruit to ripen. Harvest: July to August. 65 to 70 days to maturity. Cantaloupe melons can range in size from 0.5 to 5.0 kg (1.1 to 11 lb). F1 Pepito typically weighs 1.2 to 1.4 kg. When they are ripe the skin will be a dull yellow background with raised netting.
Most melons ripen in late summer or early- to mid-fall. It's typical to get two to three melons per vine. Their sweetness largely is determined during the three weeks leading up to harvest. Water them less during that time, as it's the drier conditions that promote sweetness.