Probably, there are many among us who have never heard of such a small but quite interesting city as Sterlitamak. "What area is this?" they ask, usually a little surprised. We answer: this rather modest settlement is located in the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia).
What is this place famous for? What is so amazing about it? And why should everyone visit it at the first opportunity? This article is ready to answer all these and many other questions from those that are most often asked about the city of Sterlitamak. What area? What time is it? Is the climate different? What does the local population do and what are the features of the local nature? All of this will be discussed below.
In general, I would like to note right away that when discussing the city of Sterlitamak, what region or region it is, it is not entirely correct to ask. Why? The thing is that this settlement belongs to another territorial unit called the republic.
Section 1. General information about the city
So, Sterlitamak (which region of Russia and whether it is permissible to ask such questions in principle, was indicated above) is considered the second most populous administrative center of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the Russian Federation.
It should be noted that this is a fairly large machine-building center by modern standards, as well as one of the most important centers of a polycentric agglomeration. Sterlitamak is also known to many for its developed chemical industry.
Purely geographically, the city of Sterlitamak, whose area of influence on the economy of our country is really hard to underestimate, is located on the left bank of the river. Belaya, 121 km south of Ufa.
This settlement was founded a long time ago, back in 1766. The region of the city of Sterlitamak had the same name, but later, in 1953, it was abolished.
Deepening into history, you can find out that initially this settlement arose around the so-called Sterlitamak s alt water pier, but the official status of the city was assigned to it in 1781
In the not so distant past, the city of Sterlitamak (which region it was before 1953, indicated above) was the capital of the autonomous Bashkir Republic. A little later, the role of the main city of the region was transferred to Ufa, as a result of which the population in the city decreased significantly. Today, more than 278 thousand people live here permanently.
Time difference with Moscow is 2 hours.
Section 2. Where did this name come from?
As for the name of the city itself, it turns out that it did not appear at all by chance, as it might seem at first glance, but after the merger of two words: the name of the local Sterley river, which flows through the central part of the city, and the word "tamak", which in the Bashkir language means "the mouth of a water source", or "throat".
Thus, it is easy to guess that if we undertake to translate the whole word into Russian, it will turn out that the name Sterlitamak sounds like “the mouth of the Sterli River”. A fairly euphonious and very logical name.
Section 3. Features of the physical and geographical location
The city of Sterlitamak, what region it is and whether it exists at all, was indicated above, located in the European part of the Russian Federation. To the east of it are the Ural Mountains, and to the west is the boundless and very picturesque East European Plain.
It should be noted that in the vicinity of the city there are so-called shikhans, which are unique geological natural monuments. Near Mount Kushtau there are numerous children's he alth camps, holiday homes, ski resorts with slopes and ski lifts. And this automatically means that there is almost never a shortage of tourists here.
Initially, the city of Sterlitamak was created in the interfluve of Ashkadar and Sterli. It is there that the Old Town is now located - the historical center of Sterlitamak. Subsequently, of course, like many other cities in the world, it was built up. Most active localitygrew in the northern and western directions. To date, 5 road and 1 railway bridges have already been built within the city limits across the Sterlya River.
People who are interested in our country often ask why this settlement did not develop in the southern, seemingly more logical direction. The thing is that there its growth is limited by the Olkhovka River, which is the left tributary of Ashkadar.
Section 4. The current image of the city
The city of Sterlitamak is currently a major center of republican subordination. Previously, it was the capital of the Bashkir Autonomous Republic, which was then transferred to Ufa, located at a distance of 120 km from the aforementioned city.
Today's settlement is famous for mechanical engineering, chemical industry, large federal highways pass next to it.
Despite its modest size, the city has interesting places to visit. For example, amazingly beautiful mosques in the old part of the city have been preserved.
It should be noted that, starting from the seventies of the last century, a special scheme has been put into effect in Sterlitamak: all residents are strenuously planting greenery in their city. As a result of such painstaking work, the current settlement surpasses even the million-plus city of Samara in terms of the number of birches.
The infrastructure is very developed here. Everywhere guests of the city expect a variety of shops, boutiques, cafes, pubs, restaurants. By the way, not everyone knows that in 2007 Sterlitamak was recognized as the mostcomfortable city in the Russian Federation.
Section 5. S alt water pier - a unique place on the map of Russia
Sterlitamak owes its appearance to a certain merchant Savva Tetyushev, who proposed a project to build a pier to receive huge quantities of Iletsk s alt brought here. The total mass of the supplied seasoning, according to the plans of the businessman of that time, could well reach a million pounds, there would still be no problems with loading and unloading. For those who are curious about exactly when the events listed above took place, let's say that Tetyushev's project with the attached notes of the Orenburg governor was approved by decree of 1766-19-01. Quite a respectable period, isn't it?
The first caravan with Iletsk s alt, which left the pier in the spring of 1767, was not at all the promised million poods, but three times less. With the advent of the pier, local s alt carriers called it Ashkadarskaya, and not Sterlitamakskaya at all, as Tetyushev wanted.
Soon, multiple flaws of the chosen location were revealed. As a result of the inspections, at the suggestion of the chairman of the S alt Commission of the Russian Federation P. D. Eropkin, in 1769 a s alt pier from the shallow river. Ashkadar has been moved to its original location.
She again began to be near the Bugulchan tract on the river. White. Although barges with other cargoes were still sent from the former pier, the mass of which, by the way, significantly exceeded the amount of s alt previously exported.
It turns out that the city of Sterlitamak hadvery important in the life of the region.
Section 6. Where to go first?
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in this village, try to find time and go to the local local history museum, which contains many truly unique exhibits.
On the weekends, the city usually hosts interesting performances by the theater-studio "Benefis". They are distinguished by quite creative solutions, excellent directorial work, and unique acting by actors. The production of this group will appeal to everyone, from children to experienced theatergoers.
By the way, there are not one, but three good theaters in Sterlitamak.
Section 7. Monument on the 5th verst of the Ufimsky tract
It is also worth seeing a very revered in the city and rather peculiar monument on the 5th verst of the Ufa highway, which was built in memory of the executed members of the Revolutionary Committee and the Council of People's Commissars, killed by the White Czechs. This very tragic event took place on the night of September 27-28 in 1918, exactly at the place where today's monument is installed.
During the USSR, a wooden monument was originally placed here, then in the 60s a stone obelisk was built. Now this memorial is located in the very center of Sterlitamak on Lenin Ave.
Needless to say, locals always come here and lay flowers on holidays.
Section 8. City and surroundings
There are many parks and squares in Sterlitamak, the largest of them is Victory Park. Near the Palace of Culture there is a square named after. Marshal Zhukov, where there is a monument with the names of all the heroes, former residents of the city who died in the Second World War. You can also visit the park. Y. Gagarina.
Note that the majority of tourists come here purely for rafting on the Belaya River. In the warm season, there are also many lovers of hiking and outdoor activities.
An interesting place in Sterlitamak is the airport located in the southwest, 7 kilometers from the city limits. It is currently closed and not in use for its intended purpose. But even being almost abandoned, it enjoys steady popularity among eco-tourists. Fans of extreme sports also love it, riding here on skateboards, rollerblades and special bikes.
However, you need to be careful here, as the territory is guarded and penetration there is not particularly legal.
Section 9. Nature of Lake Tugarsalgan
The reservoir is located at the very foot of the Shihan Tratau. There is an island on Tugarsalganu, although it used to be a peninsula. Once upon a time, valuable endemic plants grew here, which at the moment, unfortunately, are almost completely destroyed due to thoughtless human activity.
It is pleasant to note that at least something is being done to preserve the nature of this region. So, since 1965, Lake Tugarsalgan and its environs (about 100 hectares in total) are officially considerednatural monument.
From a geological point of view, Tugarsalgan is one of the deepest lakes of karst origin in Bashkortostan, its greatest depth in some places is 27 m. The lake is fed by spring waters. It is 395 meters long and 260 meters wide.
So, this article answered all the questions raised about the city of Sterlitamak: what area, where it is located geographically, a little history of occurrence, a list of features and a list of the most interesting places to visit. The point is small - try to feel its atmosphere.
