Achinsk
Encyclopedia
Achinsk is a city in Krasnoyarsk Krai
, Russia
, located on the right bank of the Chulym River near its intersection with the Trans-Siberian Railway
, 184 kilometres (114.3 mi) west of Krasnoyarsk
. Area: 103.21 square kilometres (39.8 sq mi). Population:
It was founded in 1641 as Achinsky ostrog
on the Bely Iyus River
. After a fire, it was moved to the Chulym River in 1683; hence, the official city birthday is considered to be July 25, 1683. Town status was granted to it in 1782. The city is served by Achinsk Airport
. As of September 2007, the mayor of the city is Ilay Akhmetov.
, paleontological study has shown that people lived here as early as 28,000–20,000 BCE. Some of these ancient caves are located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) east of the city.
The modern city, however, was founded on July 25, 1641 as an ostrog
(fort) on the Bely Iyus River. After a fire in 1683 it moved to the Chulym River (a tributary of the Ob
). The name of the location dervies from the Turkic tribal group Achi or Achigi. The first fort in 1683 was built with the high stockade square shaped walls. In the corners were placed watch towers. Initially the garrison had fifteen Cossacks patrolling it. In 1710, a new wooden fort on the right bank of the Achinki River was created, at its confluence with the Chulym.
In 1782 it officially became a county town. In the late 19th century the town became linked on the Trans-Siberian Railway
.
Achinsk grew rapidly in the 20th century: from a population of 32,000 in 1939, to 85,000 in 1969, to 121,572 in the 1989 Census
. The population declined slightly in the early 21st century: 118,744 (2002 Census
) and 109,156 (2010 Census preliminary results).
Since 1990, Achinsk has been included in the official list of cities in Russia with historical and cultural value of nationwide significance.
The largest enterprise of the city, the Achinsk Alumina Plant, belongs to "RUSAL" group. In addition, the city operates LLC Achinsk cement factory which produces some 2 million tons of cement per year.
As of 2006, Achinsk has 11 health facilities and over 20 schools. Notable landmarks include the Achinskiy Drama Theatre, Achinskiy National History Museum, Achinskiy Museum and Exhibition Centre and the Kazan Cathedral.
Krasnoyarsk Krai
Krasnoyarsk Krai is a federal subject of Russia . It is the second largest federal subject after the Sakha Republic, and Russia's largest krai, occupying an area of , which is 13% of the country's total territory. The administrative center of the krai is the city of Krasnoyarsk...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, located on the right bank of the Chulym River near its intersection with the Trans-Siberian Railway
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It is the longest railway in the world...
, 184 kilometres (114.3 mi) west of Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk is a city and the administrative center of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, located on the Yenisei River. It is the third largest city in Siberia, with the population of 973,891. Krasnoyarsk is an important junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway and one of Russia's largest producers of...
. Area: 103.21 square kilometres (39.8 sq mi). Population:
It was founded in 1641 as Achinsky ostrog
Ostrog (fortress)
Ostrog was a Russian term for a small fort, typically wooden and often non-permanently manned. Ostrogs were encircled by 4-6 metres high palisade walls made from sharpened trunks. The name derives from the Russian word строгать , "to shave the wood". Ostrogs were smaller and exclusively military...
on the Bely Iyus River
Bely Iyus River
Bely Iyus is a river in the republic of Khakassia in Russia. It is a right tributary of the Chulym River, and is 224 km long, with a drainage basin of 5370 km²....
. After a fire, it was moved to the Chulym River in 1683; hence, the official city birthday is considered to be July 25, 1683. Town status was granted to it in 1782. The city is served by Achinsk Airport
Achinsk Airport
Achinsk Airport is an air base in Krasnoyarskiy kray, Russia located 4 km east of Achinsk. It is a civilian airfield with minor facilities for small number of fighter aircraft. Once source lists 712 IAP at Kansk but lists Achinsk in parentheses for unknown reasons....
. As of September 2007, the mayor of the city is Ilay Akhmetov.
History
One of the oldest known settlements in the territory of modern Achinsky DistrictAchinsky District
Achinsky District is an administrative and municipal district , one of the forty-three in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. It is located in the southern portion of the krai and borders with Bolsheuluysky District in the north, Kozulsky District in the east, Nazarovsky District in the south, and...
, paleontological study has shown that people lived here as early as 28,000–20,000 BCE. Some of these ancient caves are located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) east of the city.
The modern city, however, was founded on July 25, 1641 as an ostrog
Ostrog
Ostrog may refer to:* Ostrog, Slovenia, a settlement in Šentjernej municipality in Slovenia* Ostrog monastery, a Serbian Orthodox Christian monastery in Montenegro* Ostroh, a historic town in Ukraine* Ostrog, a Russian term for a small fortress...
(fort) on the Bely Iyus River. After a fire in 1683 it moved to the Chulym River (a tributary of the Ob
Ob
Ob may refer to:* Ob River, a river in West Siberia, Russia* Ob Sea, an artificial lake on the Ob River* Ob, Russia, a town in Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia* Ob, Germany, place in Bidingen, Bavaria, Germany...
). The name of the location dervies from the Turkic tribal group Achi or Achigi. The first fort in 1683 was built with the high stockade square shaped walls. In the corners were placed watch towers. Initially the garrison had fifteen Cossacks patrolling it. In 1710, a new wooden fort on the right bank of the Achinki River was created, at its confluence with the Chulym.
In 1782 it officially became a county town. In the late 19th century the town became linked on the Trans-Siberian Railway
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It is the longest railway in the world...
.
Achinsk grew rapidly in the 20th century: from a population of 32,000 in 1939, to 85,000 in 1969, to 121,572 in the 1989 Census
Soviet Census (1989)
The 1989 Soviet census, conducted between January 12-19 of that year, was the last one conducted in the former USSR. It resulted in a total population of 286,730,819 inhabitants...
. The population declined slightly in the early 21st century: 118,744 (2002 Census
Russian Census (2002)
Russian Census of 2002 was the first census of the Russian Federation carried out on October 9 through October 16, 2002. It was carried out by the Russian Federal Service of State Statistics .-Resident population:...
) and 109,156 (2010 Census preliminary results).
Since 1990, Achinsk has been included in the official list of cities in Russia with historical and cultural value of nationwide significance.
Economy
The economy of Achinsk is based around heavy industry and contains a refinery and also produces construction materials, including wood, asphalt, cement. Mechanical, wax, brick and electrical plants are also present. It is also involved with the food industry and contains dairy factories and a meat processing plant as well as footwear and furniture factories.The largest enterprise of the city, the Achinsk Alumina Plant, belongs to "RUSAL" group. In addition, the city operates LLC Achinsk cement factory which produces some 2 million tons of cement per year.
As of 2006, Achinsk has 11 health facilities and over 20 schools. Notable landmarks include the Achinskiy Drama Theatre, Achinskiy National History Museum, Achinskiy Museum and Exhibition Centre and the Kazan Cathedral.