The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the leading subject of the Russian Federation in terms of area occupied by the territory. At the same time, many Russians have only a vague idea about this region and the people living there, which has developed on the basis of long-outdated data. Therefore, it makes sense to learn a little more about what the capital of Yakutia, Yakutsk, is, what is the history of this city and what other large settlements are on the territory of this republic.
Basic information
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), or, as it was then called, the Yakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, was formed in the first years after the establishment of Soviet power in the region. It is the largest administrative-territorial unit, but in terms of population density it occupies one of the last places in the Russian Federation. At the same time, her land is incredibly rich in natural resources, which, if properly used, can become a source of a real breakthrough in the republic's economy.
Yakutia borders on the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Magadan, Irkutsk and Amur regions, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk and Trans-Baikal Territories. Besides,in the north, its shores are washed by the East Siberian Sea and the Laptev Sea.
Climate
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (capital - Yakutsk) has a sharply continental climate, with very short summers and long winters (from April to October), when the air temperature can drop to -50 degrees. As for the summer, in the “hottest” month - July - the thermometer barely reaches +18 degrees.
Sakha (Yakutia): the capital
On the vast territory of the republic there are only a little more than two dozen cities and urban-type settlements. Among them, the main one is the capital of Yakutia. This is the city of Yakutsk, where 294 thousand people live, most of whom belong to the indigenous nationality. It consists of 8 districts, including also seven suburban villages.
In 2010, the capital of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) was included in the Forbes magazine's list of the twenty best cities for business in Russia, in which it took thirteenth place.
History of Yakutsk (briefly)
In 1643, the Lena prison, founded by the centurion Peter Beketov 20 years earlier, was transferred to the territory of the modern city. Then it was renamed to Yakutsk, and also proclaimed the administrative center of the entire Lena Territory. Despite this, for a long time the city was more like a large settlement, and its development began only in 1907, when I. Kraft was appointed governor there by royal decree. By his order, the capital of Yakutia was electrified and telephoned, and the first museum was opened there.
Architecturalattractions of Yakutsk
As already mentioned, the capital of Yakutia was founded more than 370 years ago, so you can see many different historical and cultural monuments there. In particular, in the Old Town area you can see many old buildings and their modern reconstructions, giving an idea of how Yakutsk looked like 100-200 years ago. In general, it is considered the best place for walking tours, where even the sidewalks and the roadway are paved with chocks. Therefore, tourists remember the capital of Yakutia, among other things, as a place where they walked along the “wooden” streets.
Monuments
The capital of Yakutia, Sakha, whose photo will be the decoration of your travel album, will also be of interest to lovers of monuments and sculptural compositions. In particular, you can see a unique statue of a mammoth, which was installed in the courtyard of the Permafrost Institute, at the place where the well-preserved corpse of this animal was found. Another image of a prehistoric relative of modern elephants is located next to the new building of the Yakut circus. And on the back of the mammoth are two gilded acrobats. In addition, in the capital of the republic you can see the monument of friendship, depicting the first family created by a Russian and a Yakut woman, and their mestizo baby. Like all citizens of the former USSR, the inhabitants of Yakutia took part in the defense of their great homeland during the Second World War. In memory of those who never returned from the battlefield, a Victory stele was erected.
Museums
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (capital - Yakutsk) has a distinctive culture. To get to know her, it is worth visiting local museums. There are a little less than a dozen of them, but there you can see unique examples of arts and crafts of the republic. For example, magnificent collections are presented in the Joint Museum of the History and Culture of the Peoples of the North and in the Museum of Hummus Music.
Theaters and concert halls
There are several places in Yakutsk for organizing cultural activities. For example, lovers of classical music can visit the local Opera and Ballet Theatre, founded in 1971, and the Russian Drama Theater named after Pushkin will offer them to become a spectator of performances based on the works of Russian and foreign playwrights.
This cultural institution is also known for the fact that all the most significant events in the public life of the republic, including the inauguration of the president, take place within its walls.
Circus and Zoo
The Republic of Yakutia (the capital is Yakutsk) has been pursuing a policy under the motto “All the best for children” for more than a year, as the authorities understand how important it is to provide the most comfortable conditions for their little citizens, deprived of many entertainments due to severe weather conditions, available to their peers from other regions. In particular, the only Diamond Circus in the Arctic operates in the capital for them, the troupe of which constantly employs more than 60 artists.
A favorite place to visit for Yakut children is also the Orto-Doydu zoo - the only one in the world that operates in extreme cold conditions. Thereyou can see not only animals living in the region, but also "guests" from Africa, North and South America and Australia. In addition, the zoo has a department where they are ready to accept and cure any wild animal in trouble.
The capital of Yakutia: temples
The city has several churches and religious buildings built in different years. In particular, you can visit the St. Nicholas Church, which is the only building of its kind that has retained its original architectural appearance from the 19th century. The church is notorious for the fact that in the first years of Soviet power in its fence, the “Reds” shot those who at that time were considered “counterparts” - representatives of the intelligentsia and the clergy, as well as entrepreneurs, among whom there were many patrons. Another ancient temple of Yakutsk - the Gradoyakutsky Transfiguration Cathedral - was built in the 20s of the last century at the expense of the Soloviev merchants. It is the main church of the Yakut-Lena Eparchy.
Since 1997, the city also has the Chapel of Innokenty, Metropolitan of Moscow, which is located in the courtyard of the Museum of the History and Culture of the Peoples of the North.
Since 2005, the city also has a mosque for Muslim believers.
Universities
The main educational center of the Republic of Sakha Yakutia is the capital, Yakutsk, where more than ten different universities operate, including the North-Eastern Federal University named after M. K. Amosov. Higher educational institutions of the city also train specialists in the field of agriculture, pedagogy, and art.and culture, as well as engineers of various profiles, economists, lawyers, etc. In addition, there are medical, pedagogical, industrial-pedagogical and other colleges in Yakutsk.
Sports venues
In Yakutsk, there is a large and excellently equipped ice palace, which is called “Elley Bootur”. There are also several stadiums with artificial turf. Among them are “Tuymaada” and “Youth”. Sports sections for children and adults operate at the 50 Years of Victory Sports Palace, as well as at the Triumph, Sterkh, Dolgun, Nugget, Tandem, Modun and Cholbon sports complexes.
Districts, cities and towns
The Republic of Sakha is administratively divided into so-called uluses. There are 34 in total, of which 3 are national.
The capital of Yakutia, the photo of which you have already seen, is not the only large settlement in the Republic of Sakha. Of course, it is the most populated and developed, but there are many interesting things in other cities and towns.
Oymyakon
This village of less than 500 people is known as one of the "cold poles" of the planet.
Diamond
As the name suggests, this urban-type settlement is where the world famous Yakutian diamonds are mined.
Verkhoyansk
The settlement is famous for the fact that during the 19th - early 20th centuries politically unreliable citizens who opposed the autocracy, as well as Poles who fought for the independence of their homeland, were exiled there.
Lensk
The village was founded inmid 17th century. There is an interesting local history museum and a very beautiful monument to the coachman.
Peaceful
The inhabitants of this city call it the Diamond Capital of Russia. And this is quite justified, since these precious stones have been mined there since 1957.
Reap
There are not so many enterprises in Yakutia that could compare with the Zhatai Shipyard. In addition, there is a large oil storage facility in the village.
Now you know what the Republic of Yakutia is famous for, the capital of which is rapidly developing today and attracts tourists who want to get to know the original culture of the peoples of this region.
