The Fort Ross reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Fort Ross

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Fort Ross is a former Russian fur trade outpost in what is now Sonoma County, California (United States). It was established in 1812, and abandoned in 1841 upon the depletion of the local population of fur-bearing marine mammals. The fort was home to Russians, Aleut hunters in their employment, and native Kashaya Pomo. This unique site has recently been the subject of intensive archaeological investigation.