Norilsk city: population, climate, attractions

You can often hear about a city like Norilsk. And it is not surprising, since this is a large settlement that deserves special attention. It occupies a fairly large area and is home to many production and industrial facilities. It is worth getting to know this wonderful city better. Norilsk, which has a small population, has many interesting sights. The article will also talk about climate, nature, and interesting facts related to this locality.

Norilsk: general information about the city

The city is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and is the administrative center of the district. Interestingly, it ranks second in terms of the number of people living on its territory (Krasnoyarsk is in first place).

The city is located in a rather harsh climatic zone. Norilsk received the status of the northernmost city, home to a population of more than 150 thousand people.

However, his records don't end there. The city of Norilsk is among the settlements with the worst environmental conditions. This happened due to the fact that the main activities of the city are mining and metal production. This area has become a leader because there are no industrial zones of this scale anywhere else in the world.

Another interesting fact is that entry into the city is closed to foreign citizens. To visit Norilsk, foreign tourists must undergo the procedure of obtaining a special permit. Such measures have been in force since 2001. Before this, since 1991, foreign citizens could freely visit Norilsk.

Vorkuta

In the north of the Komi Republic, beyond the Arctic Circle in the land Arctic zone, the easternmost European city is located - the city of Vorkuta. In Stalin's times, on the territory of Vorkuta there was Vorkutlag, in which prisoners were engaged in coal mining. In 1943, Vorkuta was given city status.

A considerable part of the Vorkuta buildings were planned by Leningrad architects. In Soviet times, Vorkuta was a prosperous city, but with the collapse of the Union, most of the mines were closed and people were forced to leave. Now the situation in the city has stabilized, but the period of prosperity is left behind. Visitors get the impression that time has stood still in Vorkuta since Soviet times. Currently, only a little over 58 thousand people live in the city.

On the eastern side the city is closed by the Ural Mountains. And in the northwest of the city there is tundra. Therefore, in addition to the Polar Night and severe frosts, city residents experience terrible winds (more than 30 meters per second). It is not safe to go out into the tundra in such a snowstorm.

The population of Vorkuta is multinational, which is explained by the origin of the city.

The ecology of Vorkuta is not in the best condition. There is a lack of oxygen in the air due to the lack of trees, but there is an abundance of black coal dust.

What areas are included in the city?

Previously, Norilsk was not such a large settlement. After the annexation of neighboring cities, it became much larger. Norilsk consists of several districts:

• Central.
• Talnakh.
• Kayerkan.
• Snezhnogorsk
• Oganer.

They are all noticeably different from each other. Some districts, for example Central, were built earlier; Leningrad architects were invited to design them. Others date back to a later period. They are mainly built up with houses built according to standard designs.

Norilsk: population and its characteristics

Now it’s worth taking a closer look at the issue concerning the city’s residents. To begin with, it should be noted that a strong increase in the population of Norilsk occurred after 2 more settlements were annexed to it, which bear the names Talnakh and Kayerkan. Currently they are districts of the city. In this regard, the population of Norilsk has increased significantly.

According to 2015 data, the number of local residents is 176,251 people. Recently, there has been a tendency for many people to leave Norilsk. The population has decreased greatly. A particularly serious decline was noticed in 2014. In the previous year, 2013, the number of residents was 177,738 people, in 2014 – already 176,559. In 2015, the decline in numbers continued.

If we look at the ranking of Russian cities by number of inhabitants, Norilsk ranks 105th, which is a fairly high figure. In total, there are about 1114 cities on the list. So, we have become familiar with the data on the city’s population in detail, and now it’s worth moving on to considering its national composition.

National composition of the population

It is necessary to analyze in detail who lives in this region. The city of Norilsk boasts a rich national composition. Since ancient times, several indigenous peoples have lived here, among whom were the Nenets, Nganasans, Dolgans, and Enets. Nowadays they can be found here quite rarely. As for the permanent population, now Norilsk is mainly dominated by Russians, Ukrainians, Azerbaijanis and other peoples. There are practically no indigenous people left here. The city is mostly inhabited by people who moved here in the middle and end of the 20th century, as well as their descendants.

A noticeable influx of population into this city was due to the widespread development of industry and other local enterprises. A large number of jobs were created here, as well as infrastructure that made life in this place more comfortable.

Features of living in the city

Separately, it is worth paying attention to the characteristic features of local life, of which there are quite a few. These features were formed over a long period, taking into account the climatic, weather and geographical conditions in which Norilsk is located. The population of the city has a special attitude towards preparing food and eating it. There are a large number of fishermen and hunters among the city residents. Thanks to this, shish kebab and sugudai are common dishes. The second one is worth talking about in a little more detail. Sugudai is a snack consisting of raw fish, to which vegetable oil, salt, pepper, onion, grated apple, vinegar and various spices are added. As for other popular products, residents of the city often pick mushrooms, blueberries, lingonberries and cloudberries.

Prices in Norilsk are at an average level, but for some seemingly ordinary products they are too high here. For example, bread can be bought for 60 rubles, a kilogram of chicken meat - for 132 rubles, a kilogram of rice - for 70 rubles, vegetable oil costs 89 rubles. Prices for buckwheat in Norilsk start at 160 rubles, apples are priced at 109 rubles, potatoes cost 53 rubles, and onions – 70 rubles.

It is believed that Norilsk belongs to the Taimyr Peninsula. This region can be reached by two modes of transport: water or air. There is no land connection with the rest of Russia (the so-called mainland).

City climate

Natural and weather conditions in Norilsk are quite harsh. The city is located in the Far North, and therefore the local climate will be very harsh for a person not accustomed to it. The weather in Norilsk is usually cold. The climate here is subarctic.

The city is considered one of the coldest in the world. So, many people are interested in what kind of weather happens most often in Norilsk? Winter here lasts a long time and is characterized by severe cold. In January the average temperature is about -28 ⁰C. Typical winter weather is frequent frosts with strong winds. The cold period here lasts about 280 days, it begins in mid-September and lasts until the beginning of May.

Summer begins only at the end of June and lasts until the end of August. It is usually cloudy and cool. The average temperature in July is about +10.7 C. If we talk about the average annual temperature, it is -9.6 C.

Another interesting fact is that Norilsk is included in the list of the five windiest settlements in the world.

Nature

Many people are interested in what natural zone is Norilsk located? On the map, it is located almost on the Taimyr Peninsula, where forest-tundra dominates. This type of landscape is characterized by certain features. Mostly here you can see open forest, which alternates with shrub tundra.

Thus, it becomes clear in which natural zone Norilsk is located. You can also see on the map that a large number of rivers flow here.

Despite the harsh natural conditions, this area has a fairly diverse fauna. The fauna in the forest-tundra is mainly represented by lemmings, reindeer, shrews, and arctic foxes. These places are popular among hunters.

Among the birds you can often see here are various types of partridges, polar owls and others. This region is home to many migratory birds.

Houses along the streets in Norilsk

• 50 years of October st.
• Anisimova st.
• Baumanskaya street
• Begicheva st.
• Bohdana Khmelnytsky St.
• Veteranov st.
• Gornyakov st
• Dzerzhinsky street
• Dikson st
• Dudinskaya st.
• Yeniseiskaya street
• Zavenyagina st.
• Igarskaya st.
• Kirova st.
• Komsomolskaya street

• Kosmonavtov st.
• Kotulsky passage
• Krasnoyarskaya street
• Laureatov st
• Leningradskaya street
• Leninsky Prospekt
• Lesnaya st.
• Lomonosova st.
• Maslova st
• Metallurgov Sq.
• Mira st
• Mikhail Kravets st.
• Mikhailichenko passage
• Molodezhny Proezd
• Moskovskaya street

• Embankment Urvantseva st.
• Nadezhdinskaya st.
• Nansen st
• New street
• Norilskaya street
• Ozernaya st.
• Ordzhonikidze st.
• Pavlova st
• Pervomaiskaya street
• Pervokhodtsev St.
• Pionerskaya street
• Pobedy st.
• Pozhdepo st
• Polyarnaya st.
• Pushkina st.

• Rudnaya st.
• Sevastopolskaya street
• Sovetskaya st.
• Sunny passage
• Stroiteley st.
• Stroitelnaya street
• Taimyrskaya street
• Talnakhskaya street
• Fedorovsky St.
• Khantayskaya street
• Shakhterskaya street
• Shkolnaya street
• Entuziastov st.
• Yugoslavskaya street

Timezone

We got to know in detail the nature and climate in which Norilsk is located. Time here also deserves special consideration. The settlement lies in the time zone called “Krasnoyarsk time”. The difference with Moscow is 4 hours. Thus, when it is 12:00 in Moscow, it is already 16:00 in Norilsk. In Russia this time zone is designated as MSK+4. According to worldwide notations, the city is located in the UTC+7 zone. In addition to the Krasnoyarsk Territory, where Norilsk is located, this time is set in the territory of 5 more regions of Russia. Accordingly, we became acquainted with the time zone in which Norilsk lies. Time is not translated here, as in other regions of the country.

Kostomuksha

Of the cities belonging to the Far North, Kostomuksha is one of the youngest, as it was founded in 1983. It is located near the Finnish border. Like many northern cities, Kostomuksha grew out of a workers’ village in which the builders of the Karelsky Okatysh mining and processing plant lived.

Located on the border of the northern and middle taiga, the city has a typical northern climate. It has cool summers and frosty winters with frequent weather changes.

The city's population is approaching 30 thousand people.

In the vicinity of Kostomuksha, tourists are attracted by the village of Voknavolok, where the famous epic “Kalevala” was created, as well as unique nature, lakes, and a nature reserve.

Sights and culture of Norilsk

It is worth talking about what historical heritage sites exist in this wonderful city. There are several museums in Norilsk, for example the Art Gallery, as well as the museum of the history of the exploration and development of this region. The gallery is widely known and enjoys great popularity. This is the second largest collection of art objects in the entire Krasnoyarsk region. She started her work in 1980.

Not only museums, but also theaters are open in Norilsk. The Drama Theater named after V.V. Mayakovsky operates here, as well as a youth theater. In a word, cultural life here is well developed and represented in various directions. You should definitely visit the listed institutions when coming to Norilsk. Reviews of museums and theaters are mostly positive. The gallery is especially attractive to visitors as it houses some unique works. There are also other attractions in Norilsk that are worth paying attention to.

Excursions

Any tourist, being in Norilsk, must attend at least one excursion.

Bus tour “Norilsk is unique”

The organizer of the excursion “Norilsk is unique” is the Norilsk Museum, which offers a sightseeing tour of central Norilsk. The bus starts from Norilsk airport and ends at Oktyabrskaya Square.

The route runs through Leninsky Prospekt, Gvardeyskaya Square, the monument to V.I. Lenin and others. Duration: 1.5 hours.

Excursion tour “The Lost World of the Putorana Plateau”

The Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves offers a two-day helicopter excursion to the Putorana Plateau with the extreme name “The Lost World of the Putorana Plateau.” The tour starts from Valek Airport and ends there. Tourists are invited not only to contemplate the beauty of untouched wild nature, but also to visit lakes, mountains, and waterfalls.

Therefore, the excursion is carried out only if there is good weather in the Putorana plateau area.

The duration of the route is 32 hours, travelers must be without disabilities.

Excursion route “Big Norilsk Lakes”

A 6-hour boat tour of the Great Norilsk Lakes is also offered by the Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves. The excursion will introduce you to the history of tourist sites and reveal the aesthetic appearance of polar nature. Tourists must be without disabilities.

Excursion route “Excursion to the Ethnographic Museum”

In July-September, any interested tourist can get acquainted with the peculiarities of the life of hunters, objects of reindeer husbandry, and artistic creativity. A tour of the ethnographic museum is also under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves. Duration - 1.5 hours, no restrictions or special preparation required.

Architectural sights of Norilsk and their features

Interestingly, some areas of Norilsk are surprisingly reminiscent of St. Petersburg. Many will wonder: why do the two cities have such similarities? This is primarily due to the fact that many Leningrad architects were invited to Norilsk and designed various buildings. Once here, you should definitely see the houses located on Leninsky Prospekt and Gvardeyskaya Square.

After some time, the architecture of the city changed somewhat, since in the 1960s, standard buildings became popular here, as in many other settlements in Russia.

The construction and architecture of Norilsk has a lot of features. They are mainly due to the fact that when constructing buildings on permafrost soils, specific factors must be taken into account. Here the architects were able to gain unique experience in construction in harsh natural conditions. Subsequently, this knowledge was actively used in other cities with a similar climate.

Industry and economy of Norilsk

As you know, the city is a real center of metallurgy. The region produces a large amount of non-ferrous metals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, as well as precious metals: gold, silver, platinum, palladium. In addition, sulfur, metallic selenium, sulfuric acid, etc. are produced here. Of particular interest is the fact that about 96% of the nickel produced in Russia is produced in Norilsk. Thus, we can say that the city is a major manufacturer and supplier of many materials not only in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, but throughout the country. According to some data, almost 60% of the Krasnoyarsk Territory's income consists of revenues provided by Norilsk. Russia includes many similar regions, but this city is considered the largest industrial center of this type.

Communication in the city

It is worth talking separately about such an issue as communication. Norilsk telephone numbers consist of 6 digits. Cellular communications came here quite late compared to other Russian cities. This happened at the end of 2001. Now there are already 4 mobile operators operating here. Of particular interest is the fact that Norilsk is not connected to other cities by cable communication channels. Communication with them is carried out via satellite communication channels.

You also need to know the important telephone numbers of Norilsk where you can contact in case of emergency:

1. Fire department – ​​(101) 01.
2. Police – (102) 02.
3. Ambulance – (103) 03.
4. Norilsk airport information - 006.
5. Weather information - 007.
6. Traffic police duty station - 43-54-59, 43-54-58.
7. The duty department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is 47-24-01.

Emergency houses in Norilsk

Houses that have been declared unsafe.

Transport

It is imperative to discuss the transport component of the city. As you know, air communication with other settlements is carried out, since there is an airport near the city. Norilsk has 1 air port, called Alykel. It is located 52 kilometers from the city.

The city is also connected by a transport network to Dudinka. Travel between them is carried out using buses. In summer, it is also possible to travel along the river routes through Dudinka to Krasnoyarsk. In winter, there is transport communication with Arkhangelsk also through the specified settlement. However, the easiest way to get to the city is the airport. Norilsk is considered a rather inaccessible city.

The transport network in the city itself is well developed - you can get around Norilsk using buses and minibuses.

Summary statistics for Norilsk

Summary statistics of the total number of houses built in Norilsk, indicating the total area by year.

Ecological situation

It is no secret that due to the large number of hazardous industries in the city, the environment has deteriorated greatly. Various studies have been conducted that have shown that Norilsk is the settlement with the most polluted environment in Russia. Here, many harmful substances are released into the air, such as chlorine, sulfuric acid, hydrogen fluoride, selenium dioxide and many others. Currently, statistical data on various types of pollution is continuously collected here, as well as their analysis. The nature around the city is severely damaged; many ecologists say that the threat of environmental disaster is very high in the region.

Monchegorsk

The city of Monchegorsk is a former workers' settlement founded on copper and nickel deposits in 1935. Monchegorsk is located beyond the Arctic Circle on the northern slope of the Monchetundra mountain ranges near picturesque lakes. The city has a difficult environmental situation, which is constantly worsening due to the work of the plant.

The climate of Monchegorsk is continental, long cold winters, short cool summers. The average summer temperature does not reach 15 degrees Celsius.

More than 42 thousand residents live in Monchegorsk.