The Russian Federation includes more than twenty republics. One of them is Udmurtia. The capital of this federal subject is Izhevsk.
Basic information
About 640 thousand people live in Izhevsk. It is the twentieth largest city in the country. He is known for his defense and weapons enterprises. Most of this industry appeared in the city during World War II. Izhevsk is the unofficial weapons capital of Russia. This status can only be challenged by Tula.
History
The city was founded in 1760 on the banks of the Izh River, thanks to which it got its name. In the XVIII century there was only a lonely iron factory. Metal was discovered in the Kama interfluve several decades before. It was an era when Russian immigrants actively settled the Urals, which became the Stone Belt of the country. Industry began to develop under Peter I, it was he who exploited all the resources within the state for the development and reorganization of the obsolete army.
His descendants continued this policy, giving privileges to industrialists who decided to open factories in the outback. Some of them became influential and wealthy tycoons, such as the Demidovs. The Ural deposits temporarily blocked the discovery of ore in the place where modern Udmurtia is now located. The capital of the republic, Izhevsk, began as a small steel mill.
Initially, the metal that was produced in these places went to Tula, where guns, guns, etc. were made from it. Most of the time he was bureaucratic; here, it was not independent industrialists who controlled it, but government officials. In 1774, the Izhevsk plant was captured by the army of Emelyan Pugachev. The rebels executed the leaders of the enterprise. Pugachev was supported by the Udmurts - the indigenous inhabitants of these lands. The national question in this province has not been resolved for centuries. All Udmurt land was located on the territory of the Vyatka province.
The advent of Soviet power
After the revolution of 1917 and the victory in the civil war, the Bolsheviks began to form republics. These formations were part of the RSFSR. At first, the Votka Autonomous Region was located in the region. Its capital was Glazov, later - Izhevsk. In 1934, the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed. Soon the Constitution of the state entity was adopted.
At the same time, Izhevsk was settling in, which finally became the capital of the republic. In 1935, the first trams appeared in the city. The electrification of houses has ended. This is how the Republic of Udmurtia developed . Its capital did not lag behind other Soviet cities.
During the war
During the Great Patriotic War, the country's leadership had to urgently cover factories that were in the western occupied regions. Equipment from enterprises in parts was transported to the regions to the rear, one such place was Udmurtia. The capital of the republic adopted about 40 new plants, most of which remained here in peacetime. The choice of Izhevsk was not accidental. This city has historically grown on the site of a plant engaged in the production of iron and steel.
First of all, enterprises that could help the country in the fight against the Wehrmacht were evacuated to the east. These were weapons and automobile factories, which were being rebuilt for the production of tanks and other armored vehicles.
After the war
During the war years, more than 12 million units of various weapons were produced in Izhevsk. Many specialists evacuated to the city remained here and started families. In 1948, industrial mass production of the Kalashnikov assault rifle began. His model AK-47 became a universal weapon - the most popular around the world in the second half of the 20th century.
Another industry developed in the city. In 1966, the first Izhevsk cars appeared. Their mass production began a few years later. In 1984, Izhevsk was renamed Ustinov, in honor of Dmitry Ustinov. It was the Marshal and Minister of Defense of the USSR, who during the war and after it did much to ensure that a new industry appeared in the city. Nevertheless, the state decision to rename the city was not popular among citizens. During the years of perestroika, a public campaign began for the return of the historical name. As a result, in 1987, the old name Izhevsk was returned to the city.
In Russian federation
The modern Udmurt Republic, whose capital continues to develop, is part of the Volga Federal District. Izhevsk is divided into five administrative regions. There are several universities in the city that produce a large number of specialists, thanks to which Udmurtia does not stand still. The capital of the republic is famous for its city holidays, where residents get acquainted with the culture of the indigenous people.
The modern industry of Izhevsk for a quarter consists of the production of vehicles and equipment for them. The city actively maintains ties with regional centers, including Glazov. This is the former capital of Udmurtia (in 1921), when the region was the Votsk region. Another important district center of Sarapul also has its own industry that meets local needs.
For the Russian Federation, such a region as the Udmurt Republic is important. The capital and regional centers of the subject are developing, despite any difficulties. This is done thanks to the inflow of capital. Various investments are attracted to Izhevsk. The capital of Udmurtia works closely with Togliatti VAZ and other enterprises of the country, which open their branches in the city.