The unusual name (meaning “find”) appeared on maps in 1859. While escaping from a storm the corvette America with the governor general of Eastern Siberia Muraviev-Amursky onboard, exploring the southern seaside came into an unknown, quiet bay. In the morning next day, having seen the bay and the coast around someone exclaimed “it is just a find!” Hence are the name of the Nakhodka Bay (i.e. Find Bay) and the America Gulf (in honor of the ship).

Nakhodka became a member of the World Federation of Related Cities in 1961, having signed the first Friendship and Cooperation Treaty in the history of the Russian-Japanese relations. The city maintains international relations with 7 twin-cities and 1 province. Till 1992 Nakhodka was the only city and port in the Russian Far East open for foreigners’ visit; it was an important center of international communication. The city was annually visited by 100 to 150 thousand tourists from all over the world, with up to 40 official foreign delegations per year.