Arkhangelsk - what part of Russia? In the article you will find the answer to this question. In addition, it will focus on the history, main attractions and interesting features of the city of Arkhangelsk.
Arkhangelsk - what part of Russia?
Let's expand the map of our huge country. If you take a virtual walk in the north of the European part of Russia, you can see that there are very few cities and villages there. The reason for this is extremely adverse environmental conditions. Almost all of the space is occupied by cold, harsh, tundra plains with swamps, peat bogs and lifeless rocks. The largest settlement in this area is the city of Arkhangelsk. What part of Russia is this? Let's try to answer the question.
In physical and geographical terms, this territory is called Pomerania. In its narrowest sense, this is the southern coast of the White Sea. In a broader sense, the Pomeranian region runs along the north of the European part of Russia, from Karelia to the Urals.
In historical and cultural terms, the city of Arkhangelsk and its environs are attributed to the Russian North. True, this region does not have any clear geographical boundaries.
If we consider this issue from the point of view of the official administrative-territorial structure of the country, then Arkhangelsk and the entire Arkhangelsk region belong to the North-West Federal District of the Russian Federation.
Russian North: borders, history and architecture of the region
The Russian North occupies vast expanses in the north of the European part of the country. From the west it is bordered by the Sheksna River basin , from the east - Pinega and Vychegda. In the north, the region is washed by the waters of the White and Barents Seas. In the south, the border of the Russian North is conditionally drawn through Vologda. The modern Arkhangelsk region occupies most of this historical and cultural region.
Due to its geographical location, the Russian North is a harsh, sparsely populated and cold region. However, it is not without its natural beauty and charm. White nights are considered to be a peculiar symbol of the Circumpolar Region - an unusual phenomenon observed in the summer months of the year (in June-July). These days, the sun barely hides behind the horizon, turning the dark time of the day only into twilight. This phenomenon was excellently described by Alexander Pushkin in one of his poems: "One dawn hurries to change another, giving half an hour of night."
The climatic conditions of the Russian North are unsuitable for traditional agriculture. However, nature endowed this region with other riches, in particular, fish and fur. Since ancient times, strong, energetic and, to some extent, adventurous personalities have flocked here, who were not afraid of the local difficulties and dangers. Thus a unique and proud ethnos was formed, which did not experience the hardships of serfdom - Pomors.
No less unique is the architecture of the Russian North. Throughout the XVI-XVII centuries, Old Believers actively moved here, establishing their communities in the region. Unique in their beauty examples of sacred architecture have been preserved in Solvychegodsk, Kotlas, and Veliky Ustyug. The natural and architectural originality of this region was admired by the famous Russian artist Nikolai Roerich.
Arkhangelsk on the map of Russia
About a thousand kilometers north of Moscow is the city of Arkhangelsk. Where the Northern Dvina River, breaking in clusters of dozens of branches, carries its cold waters into the White Sea. The city of military valor, bridges and shipbuilders is called by him today all of Russia.
Arkhangelsk owes its appearance on the map of Russia to Ivan the Terrible. It was he who in 1584 ordered the city to be built at the delta of the Northern Dvina. Today, about 350 thousand people live in it. Not at all small for a city located at 64 degrees north latitude!
Modern Arkhangelsk is the most important transport center of the Russian North and its unofficial capital. The basis of its economy is the enterprises of the fishing, timber processing industry, as well as engineering.
Travelers often call this city boring, drab and dull. But no one denies him the unique northern flavor. Is there anything interesting in Arkhangelsk?
Interesting places of Arkhangelsk
Two sights of the city can be seen on the front side of the Russian banknote of 500 rubles. This is a monument to Peter the Great and the building of the Sea River Station.
In Arkhangelsk, a layer of urban wooden architecture of the first half of the twentieth century deserves attention. There are many interesting and beautiful stone buildings. Among the latter, it is worth noting the Holy Trinity Church, the Spade House (a fine example of European Art Nouveau), the building of the Olha Gymnasium and others.
Arkhangelsk is also interesting for its monuments. Serious monuments, playful sculptures, and very touching works (such as the monuments to the Seal of the Savior and Solovetsky Yungs) adorn the urban environment.
The main attraction of the Russian North
Solovki, an archipelago of six islands covered with forests, lakes and swamps, is located 250 kilometers northwest of Arkhangelsk. The main attraction of this archipelago and the entire Russian North is the Solovetsky Monastery.
As early as 1429, the first worship cross was erected on Solovki. A little later, two monks - Herman and Zosima - founded an Orthodox monastery here. At the very beginning, it was just a few nondescript buildings made of wood. But by the middle of the 16th century, the Solovetsky Monastery was becoming the spiritual center of the entire Russian North.
For more than two centuries, the monastery also played the role of a prison in which the opponents of the tsarist regime languished, and after that the enemies of Stalin. Many outstanding personalities passed through it: for example, associates of the rebel Stepan Razin, the last chieftain of the Zaporizhzhya Sich Peter Kalnyshevsky.
Today, the Solovetsky Monastery hosts travelers and tourists. By the way, this attraction can also be seen on a 500-ruble note.
Conclusion
Arkhangelsk - what part of Russia? Now you can accurately answer this question. The city is considered the capital of the Russian North - a unique, interesting and distinctive region. And Arkhangelsk itself surprises tourists with its colorful seaside atmosphere.