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Author Topic: Krasnoyarsk - Красноя́рск - Krasny Yar - Krasnojarsk - Kraslag Gulag  (Read 4421 times)

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Offline mobyone

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Krasnoyarsk (Красноя́рск)


Krasnoyarsk with a population of just under 1 million is the third largest city in Siberia (If you include Yekatrinburg as being in Siberia) and Novosibirsk.  Krasnoyarsk Krai (region) is an enormous territory in Siberia that stretches from the Arctic Ocean almost to Russia's southern border with Mongolia. It is in its own time zone, and four hours ahead of Moscow.




Krasnoyarsk sits at the geographical center of Siberia.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the privatisation of many large plants and factories, such as the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Plant, many became owned by alleged criminal authorities and oligarchs while others were declared bankrupt. The economic transition resulted in a dramatic raise in unemployment and numerous strikes.  The Krasnoyarsk plants' ownership problems continue through the early 21st century since nearly all of them are owned either by monopolistic financial groups or by oligarchs.

Since the election of Pyotr Pimashkov as the mayor of Krasnoyarsk in 1996, the city's appearance has slowly improved. Old historical buildings have been restored, asphalt walkways have been replaced with paving-stone, and numerous squares with fountains have been constructed. Now the majority of the city bears only a few traces of its pragmatic Soviet look.

Situated on the Yenisey River, which runs from south to north, and found right in the middle of Russia as you look at a map. It is over five hours flying time from Moscow and 4 times zones ahead.  The City's famous landmarks are depicted on the modern ten Rouble note.

There you'll find the famous Hydro=electric dam to be found 30 Km west of the city and the little church which overlooks the city which is located in the river Valley. The River (thanks to the dam) never freezes in winter and never exceeds 14 ℃ (57.2 ℉) in summer through the city.  Here you can see a link to a video made in February when the temperature is -23 C - note the "steam" coming off the River!





For a complete slide show (Mendeleyev says it's great!), visit:
http://www.*Unapproved Link*2587397579/


The city was founded in July of 1628 as a Russian border fort. The fort had been named "Krasny Yar" (Кра́сный Яр) after the local Turkic name of the place it was built by: "Kyzyl Yar", meaning "Red Ore" or "Krasny Yar" in Old Russian. The name "Krasnoyarsk" was later given when the village of Krasnyy Yar had received town status.


Intensive growth of Krasnoyarsk began with the arrival of the Moscow Postroad (the M53 as it is known, now) in 1735 to 1741 which connected the nearby towns of Achinsk and Kansk and with the rest of Russia. Growth continued with the discovery of gold and the arrival of a rail(way)road in 1895.

In the Russian Empire, Krasnoyarsk was one of the places to which political exiles were banished. Eight Decembrists were deported from St. Petersburg to Krasnoyarsk after the failure of the revolt.





In Soviet Times, Krasnoyarsk was a major center of the Gulag system. The most important labor camp was the Kraslag or Krasnoyarsky ITL (1938-c.1960) with the two units located in Kansk and Reshyoty. In the city of Krasnoyarsk itself, the Yeniseylag or Yeniseysky ITL labor camp was prominent as well during World War II (c.1940-41).


During World War II dozens of factories were evacuated from Ukraine and Western Russia to Krasnoyarsk and nearby towns, stimulating the industrial growth of the city. After the war additional large plants were constructed: the aluminum plant, the metallurgic plant, the plant of base metals and many others.


In the late 1970s, the Soviet Union began constructing a phased array radar station at Abalakova, near Krasnoyarsk, which allegedly violated the ABM Treaty. Beginning in 1983, the United States demanded its removal, until the Soviet Union admitted the radar station was a violation in 1989. Equipment was slowly removed from the site and by 1992 it was officially declared to be dismantled. The equipment from the site was likely relocated to a new site near Komsomolsk-na-Amure.






Some quick facts:
The total area of the city, including suburbs and the river, is 172 square kilometers (66.4 sq mi).

The average air temperature in January is −20 ℃ (−4 ℉); in July, 18 ℃ (64.4 ℉). The lowest temperature ever recorded was −56 ℃ (−68.8 ℉); the highest, 36 ℃ (96.8 ℉).

 Near the city center, its altitude is 136 meters (446 ft) above sea level. There are several islands in the river, the largest of which are Tatyshev and Otdyha Isles, used mainly for recreation.

To the south and west, Krasnoyarsk is surrounded by forested hills averaging 410 meters (1,345 ft) in height above river level. Further south are the gigantic rock cliffs of the Stolby Nature Reserve rising from the surrounding hills. The western hills form the Gremyachinskaya Griva crest, starting from the Nikolayevskaya Sopka hill (notable for its ski jumping tracks) and extending westwards up to the Sobakina River. The terrain north of town is rather plain, with forests to the northwest and agricultural fields to the north and east.


Krasnoyarsk is for lovers:
The city is also host to a love story spanning from Russia to California to Spain to Rome. Nikolay Petrovich Rezanov (1764–1807) was a Russian nobleman and statesman who promoted the Russian colonization of Alaska and California. A noted Russian baron, he was the first Russian ambassador to Japan (1804), and investigated the first attempt of Russia to circumnavigate the globe (1803), commanding the expedition himself as far as Kamchatka.





While visiting Russia's land holdings in California he fell in love with the daughter of the commandant of San-Francisco, who was the most beautiful girl there. Her name was Conchita. Their engagement was very good for diplomatic relations between Spain and Russia.

While they deeply loved each other, they could not marry without the permission of the Pope, as she was a Catholic and he was Orthodox. He left California and went to St. Petersburg through Alaska and took ill during the journey, making it as far as Krasnoyarsk where he died. After news of his death the beautiful Conchita never married and became a nun. A monument to this great Russian was erected in Krasnoyarsk in 2007.

This famous love story became a TV movie several years ago in America.


The city grew out to the Village!


Further Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/krasnoyarsk/




Offline mendeleyev

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Thanks to its geographical location, the city is a nice place to stop over for Trans-Siberian travelers. Krasnoyarsk is the midway point of the longest railway in the world. Also, now that tourism to this area is increasing, travelers will be pleased to find that Krasnoyarsk offers a wide variety of excellent restaurants, shopping, and breathtaking local sceenary.