The northwestern part of North America remained a blank spot on the world map until the first half of the 18th century when it was discovered and explored by the Russians. They were the ones who began to develop this harsh and inhospitable region. Alaska and the Aleutian Islands attracted settlers as a rich source of furs — the “soft gold” of that era. Sea otters in the region, known for their exceptionally dense fur, were of particular value. The first permanent Russian trading settlement in Russian America appeared on Unalaska Island in 1772. From then on, settlements began to proliferate rapidly, and the region became a battleground between dozens of private trading companies. At the end of the 18th century, the state began to control all the sealing and fur trade in northwestern America by establishing the Russian-American Company. Despite the name, it did not include any U.S. citizens. The company became the main tool of the state for colonizing Alaska and the surrounding islands. Thus, its first leader, Alexander Baranov, was simultaneously the chief governor of Russian America. Russia’s expansion also spread to California. In 1812, they founded Fort Ross there. However, due to low profitability and high maintenance costs, this colony was sold to the Americans in 1841. Over time, the government realized that it could not hold onto Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Pressure was constantly coming from the south by the Americans and from the northeast by the British. Meanwhile, the Russian population in the region numbered only a few thousand people in small settlements scattered over a vast area. Ultimately, the empire’s leadership decided it would be more profitable to sell its North American territories to the United States than to continue maintaining them. The deal took place in 1867.