Contents
- 10 At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the districts of the city was nicknamed the “red village”
- 9. Ecology is improving every year
- 8. One of the largest Russian ports
- 7. Major fishing port
- 6. During World War II, the Germans failed to capture the city.
- 5. The largest northern city in the world
- 4. The Museum of Arctic Exploration is located
- 3. On the streets there are stones painted in different colors
- 2. Very high population density
- 1. Murmansk Alyosha – one of the highest monuments in Russia
The city of Murmansk can be called relatively young. It was founded in 1915, although plans for its development appeared in the 1870s. It was possible to carry out the plan, but it was built in “extreme” conditions. The First World War, Russia needed access to the Arctic Ocean, which would not freeze in winter. A seaport was built on the shores of the Kola Bay in the Barents Sea. A year later, a village appeared …
Murmansk is not a very big city, but its residents recommend everyone to visit here at least once. A harsh region with amazingly beautiful nature, of course, is not intended for tourism. But here, too, there is something to see, the city has many museums and attractions. And what about the Northern Lights!
If you are afraid of severe frosts, check out our article. Here are collected the most interesting facts about Murmansk. Perhaps you will be so interested in this information that you will definitely want to visit it. If you are a native (or not so) resident of the city, you will learn a lot about it.
10 At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the districts of the city was nicknamed the “red village”
In the 20s, Murmansk was a sad sight. There were only three streets of one-story houses, all the other inhabitants of the village lived in wagons and teplushki. This the area of the city was even nicknamed the “red village”, because of the color of the “iron apartments”.
There were other names, no less interesting. Shanghai – the area where the foreigners who built the railway lived, in particular the Chinese. Vonyalovka – this is the place where the British left their buildings, they rotted, rusted, exuding an unpleasant smell.
9. Ecology is improving every year
In most Russian cities, the environmental situation only worsens over time, but not in Murmansk. Here it’s the other way around: the level of dust in the atmosphere decreases, the pollution index. This is the merit of large industrial enterprises that have been able to reduce emissions.
Here, even industrial giants care about the environment. On a regular basis, environmental protection measures are taken, enterprises modernize production in order to avoid negative impact on the ecological situation in the city.
8. One of the largest Russian ports
Murmansk is one of the ten largest ports of the country (for the delivery of goods). It is considered the base port of the Northern Basin and carries out transportation along the Northern Sea Route.
The port is the backbone of Murmansk’s economy. Cargo turnover in 2018 reached a record figure of 60,7 million tons. The port consists of three divisions: Fishing, Trade and Passenger.
7. Major fishing port
The city is the fishing center of Russia. Murmansk Sea Fishing Port impresses with its size. The area of the territory is 160 hectares.
The port has a complex structure, it consists of 11 departments, each of them performs its own functions. This includes a transshipment complex, a sanitary and environmental laboratory, towing services and even a training center.
The port owns three tugboats, and there are also several vessels for various purposes. This is a modern mechanized enterprise, with which numerous ship owners are willing to cooperate.
6. During World War II, the Germans failed to capture the city.
During the Great Patriotic War, Murmansk was of great interest to the enemy troops. Hitler ordered the capture of the city. Through the port of the ally, they supplied Russia with ammunition and food.
The German commanders hoped that the troops would be able to take Murmansk in a few days, they were in a lot of trouble. In July and September 1942, two major offensives were organized, but the inhabitants were able to repel them.
The Nazis used all means to achieve their goal. They started bombing Murmansk, dropping bombs exclusively on wooden buildings to start fires. Frightening numbers: 792 raids, 185 bombs. According to these criteria, Murmansk yielded only to Stalingrad.
Enemies almost completely burned the city. But the Germans were never able to capture it., in 1944, the Petsamo-Kirkenes operation was carried out by Soviet troops. The threat has been eliminated. The title of the Hero City had to wait for more than 40 years, the city received it only in 1985.
5. The largest northern city in the world
Located beyond the Arctic Circle. It is considered the largest northern city in the world., but the locals were lucky with the weather: the cold comes here 30 days later than to the “neighbors”, the reason is the Gulf Stream.
The climate here is special, because this is the territory of the Far North. The polar night lasts 40 days, the polar day is slightly longer – 62 days.
Thanks to its location, the city has much to be proud of: the icebreaker fleet, the northern lights, polar expeditions, the Polar Olympics. The list can be continued for a long time, it is better to see everything with your own eyes.
4. The Museum of Arctic Exploration is located
In 2009, residents and guests of the city had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Arctic Exploration. This is no ordinary museum. Among others, it is distinguished by a unique location – the side of the nuclear ice drift “Lenin”. This is the world’s first ship with a nuclear power plant.
The authorities of Murmansk for a long time could not make a decision about his future fate. “Lenin” wanted to be scrapped, used as a restaurant. Still, they were able to find a worthy way out. Now there is a museum here, and everyone can get acquainted with the history of the nuclear icebreaker fleet and learn a lot about the Arctic.
3. On the streets there are stones painted in different colors
Guests of Murmansk are surprised to notice multi-colored stones on the streets. It turns out that in this way the locals are struggling with the lack of light and bright colors. Winter here lasts eight months, resourceful townspeople paint stones and arrange them around the city.
2. Very high population density
Murmansk has a very high population density – 1894,2 people / km². It ranks 1115th out of 70 cities in Russia. It should be noted that every year the demographic situation is changing for the worse. Recently, residents have been leaving their hometown. The reason is simple – the difficult economic situation.
At the moment, 292 people live here, for comparison, in the 465s this figure was more than 90 thousand. Young people are leaving, which is why the birth rate is declining.
The last population census was conducted in 2010, the percentage ratio of men / women was as follows 45,9% / 54,1%. Mostly Russians live in Murmansk, 89,6% of the total population.
1. Murmansk Alyosha – one of the highest monuments in Russia
Murmansk Alyosha – one of the highest monuments in the country. It is dedicated to the defenders of the Soviet Arctic. The monument was laid in 1969, after 5 years the opening of the monument was celebrated.
In size, “Alyosha” is second only to the statue “Motherland”, which is located in Volgograd. Its height is 42,5 meters (7 of them are on the pedestal, 35,5 on the statue).
It is a figure of a soldier in a cape and with a machine gun. The warrior can be seen from any part of the city, even at night. The monument is illuminated by spotlights. Every guest of the city definitely comes here to see the legendary Alyosha with his own eyes.