Jump to content

Irkutsk

Coordinates:52°17′N104°17′E/ 52.283°N 104.283°E/52.283; 104.283
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromIrkutsk, Russia)
For other uses, seeIrkutsk (disambiguation).

Irkutsk
Иркутск
City[1]
Clockwise, from the upper right corner: Clock Tower, Picture Gallery, Irkutsk panorama from the dam, Local Lore Museum, Khudozhestvenny Cinema, Kazan Church
Clockwise, from the upper right corner: Clock Tower, Picture Gallery, Irkutsk panorama from the dam, Local Lore Museum, Khudozhestvenny Cinema, Kazan Church
Flag of Irkutsk
Flag
Coat of arms of Irkutsk
Coat of arms
Location of Irkutsk
Map
Irkutsk is located in Russia
Irkutsk
Irkutsk
Location of Irkutsk
Irkutsk is located in Irkutsk Oblast
Irkutsk
Irkutsk
Irkutsk (Irkutsk Oblast)
Coordinates:52°17′N104°17′E/ 52.283°N 104.283°E/52.283; 104.283
CountryRussia
Federal subjectIrkutsk Oblast[2]
Founded1661[3]
Government
• BodyDumaof Irkutsk
• Mayor[5]Ruslan Bolotov[4]
Area
[6]
• Total277 km2(107 sq mi)
Elevation
440 m (1,440 ft)
Population
(2010 Census)[7]
• Total587,891
• Rank24thin 2010
• Density2,100/km2(5,500/sq mi)
•Subordinated toCityof Irkutsk[2][1]
•CapitalofIrkutsk Oblast,[2]Irkutsky District[2]
•Urban okrugIrkutsk Urban Okrug[8]
•CapitalofIrkutsk Urban Okrug,[8]Irkutsky Municipal District[9]
Time zoneUTC+8(MSK+5Edit this on Wikidata[10])
Postal code(s)[11]
664xxx
Dialing code(s)+7 3952[12]
OKTMOID25701000001
City DayFirst Saturday of June
Websiteweb.archive.org/web/20070312014231/http://www.irkutsk.ru/

Irkutsk(/ɪərˈkutsk/eer-KOOTSK;[13]Russian:Иркутск,IPA:[ɪrˈkutsk];BuryatandMongolian:Эрхүү,Erhüü,[ɛrˈxuː]) is the largest city andadministrative centerofIrkutsk Oblast,Russia.With a population of 617,473 as of the 2010 Census, Irkutsk is the25th-largest city in Russia by population,the fifth-largest in theSiberian Federal District,and one of the largestcitiesinSiberia.

Located in the south of the eponymous oblast, the city proper lies on theAngara River,atributaryof theYenisei,about 850 kilometres (530 mi) to the south-east ofKrasnoyarskand about 520 kilometres (320 mi) north ofUlaanbaatar.TheTrans-Siberian Highway(Federal M53 and M55 Highways) andTrans-Siberian Railwayconnect Irkutsk to other regions in Russia andMongolia.

Many distinguished Russians were sent into exile in Irkutsk for their part in theDecembrist revoltof 1825, and the city became an exile-post for the rest of the century. Some historic wooden houses still survive. When the railway reached Irkutsk, it had earned the nickname of "The Paris of Siberia." The city was the center of bitter fighting in theRussian Civil Warof 1918–20. Afterward, in the Soviet period, its architecture was dominated by the mandatory squared-up style. The city became a major centre of aircraft manufacture. The historic centre of Irkutsk is included in UNESCO'stentative listofWorld Heritage Sites.[14]

Etymology

[edit]

Irkutsk was named after theIrkut River.Its name was derived from theBuryatword for "spinning," and was used as an ethnonym among local tribes, who were known asYrkhu,Irkit,Irgit,andIrgyt.The city was formerly known asYandashsky,named after the localTuvanchief Yandasha Gorogi.[15]

The old spelling of the city's name was «Иркуцкъ». Before the revolution, the city was called "East Paris", "Siberian Petersburg", "Siberian Athens".

History

[edit]
Irkutsk Castle in 1735

In 1652, Ivan Pokhabov built azimovye(winter quarters) near the site of Irkutsk for gold trading and for collectingfur taxesfrom theBuryats.In 1661, Yakov Pokhabov built anostrog(a small fort) nearby.[3]Theostroggained official town rights from the government in 1686.

The Irkutsk prison, founded in 1661 as an outpost for the advancement of Russian explorers in the Angara region, soon ceased to be only a defensive structure due to the advantage of its geographical position. According to historical documents, 10 years later, in 1671, here, in addition to servicemen andyasakpeople, lived "plowed peasants with their wives and children." Aposadappeared, which gave rise to residential quarters of the future city. As for the prison itself, as its influence in the region grew, it was completely rebuilt twice (in 1669 and 1693), expanding in size.[16][17]

The fate of the prison was such that its military-defensive significance was less noticeable than other previously erected forts near the Angara, for example, Bratsk (1631) or Verkholensk (1644). However, its location at the crossroads of colonization, trade and industrial routes predetermined the role of Irkutsk in the history of Eastern Siberia. In 1682 it became the center of an independent region, and in 1686 it received the status of a city. Irkutsk at the beginning of the 18th century was divided into two parts: "small town", or the prison itself, and "big city". The first one started from the bank of the Angara and was a wooden fortress with adjacent buildings. These included the stone building of the provincial chancellery, the house of the vice-governor (former voivodship) with barns and cellars, the Church of the Savior. "Small town" was the administrative center of the vast Irkutsk province since 1731.[18]

In the "big city", as the posad was called, the commercial and economic life of Irkutsk was concentrated. It was inhabited mainly by people from the northern regions of Russia:Veliky Ustyug,Yarensk,Pinega,Solvychegodsk,Pereyaslavl-Zalessky,who brought their traditions, customs, and culture to Siberia.[18]

The first road connection betweenMoscowand Irkutsk, theSiberian Route,was built in 1760, and benefited the town economy. Many new products, often imported fromChinaviaKyakhta,became widely available in Irkutsk for the first time, includinggold,diamonds,fur,wood,silk,andtea.In 1821, as part of theMikhail Speransky's reforms, Siberia was administratively divided at theYenisei River.Irkutsk became the seat of the Governor-General of East Siberia.

IrkutskAssembly of the Nobilityin the early 1900s

In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers, andnobleswere sent into exile in Siberia for their part in theDecembrist revoltagainstTsarNicholas I.Irkutsk became the major center of intellectual and social life for these exiles, and they developed much of the city's cultural heritage. They had wooden houses built that were adorned with ornate, hand-carved decorations. Many still survive today, in stark contrast with the standardSovietapartment blocks that surround them.

Epiphany Cathedral and central Irkutsk in 1865

By the end of the 19th century, the population consisted of one exiled man for every two locals. People of varying backgrounds, from members of the Decembrist uprising toBolsheviks,had been in Irkutsk for many years and had greatly influenced the culture and development of the city. As a result, Irkutsk became a prosperous cultural and educational center inEastern Siberia.[19][20][21]

From 1848 to 1861, CountNikolay Muravyov-Amurskywas the Governor-General. Heannexed the Amur Territoryto Russia, however, on the spot he showed unbridled despotism and extreme cruelty. Since the opening of communication along the Amur in 1854, on the way from St. Petersburg to the Pacific Ocean, the old Yakutsk tract began to decline. The population of the city is 28,000, of them there were 3,768 exiles.[22]

In 1879, on July 4 and 6, a fire burned out of control, destroying the palace of the Governor General, and the principal administrative and municipal offices. Many of the other public buildings, including the government archives, the library, and the museum of the Siberian section of theRussian Geographical Society,were completely ruined.[23]Three-quarters of the city was destroyed, including approximately 4,000 houses.[24]The city quickly rebounded, installing electricity in 1896. The first theater was built in 1897 and a major train station opened in 1898. The first train arrived in Irkutsk on August 16 of that year. By 1900, the city had earned the nickname of "TheParisof Siberia. "

Irkutsk in 1918

During theRussian Civil War,which broke out after theOctober Revolution,Irkutsk became the site of many furious, bloody clashes between the "White movement"and the"Bolsheviks",known as the" Reds ". In 1920,Aleksandr Kolchak,the once-feared commander of the largest contingent of anti-Bolshevik forces, was executed in Irkutsk. This effectively destroyed the anti-Bolshevik resistance.

Irkutsk was the administrative center of the short-livedEast Siberian Oblast,from 1936 to 1937. The city subsequently became the administrative center ofIrkutsk Oblast,after East Siberian Oblast was divided intoChita Oblastand Irkutsk Oblast.

During the communist years, the industrialization of Irkutsk and Siberia in general was strongly encouraged. The large Irkutsk Reservoir was built on theAngara Riverbetween 1950 and 1959 in order to generate hydroelectric power and facilitate industrial development.

Epiphany Cathedral (built in 1718–1746)

The Epiphany Cathedral, the governor's palace, a school of medicine, a museum, a military hospital and the crown factories are among the public institutions and buildings.[23]TheAleksandr Kolchakmonument, designed byVyacheslav Klykov,was unveiled in 2004. On July 27, 2004, the Irkutsk Synagogue (1881) was gutted by a fire.

In December 2016, 74 people in Irkutskdied in a mass methanol poisoning,after drinking this toxic alcohol substitute.[25][26]

In 2018, the BBC reported that men in Irkutsk had an average life span of only 63. The society had declined and their health had suffered markedly.[27]

In October 2021, it was reported that armed Russian OMON (Special Purpose Mobile Unit of the Russian National Guard) officers physically assaulted and tortured two Jehovah’s Witness couples as part of a round up of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city.[28]

Geography

[edit]

Irkutsk is located about 850 kilometres (530 mi) to the south-east ofKrasnoyarsk,and about 520 kilometres (320 mi) north ofUlaanbaatar,the capital ofMongolia.The city proper lies on theAngara River,atributaryof theYenisei,72 kilometers (45 mi) below its outflow fromLake Baikaland on the bank opposite the suburb of Glaskovsk.[23]The river, 580 meters (1,900 ft) wide, is crossed by the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Dam and three other bridges downstream.[citation needed]

TheIrkut River,from which the town takes its name, is a smaller river that joins the Angara directly opposite the city.[23]The main portion of the city is separated from several landmarks—the monastery, the fort and the port, as well as its suburbs—by another tributary, the Ida (or Ushakovka) River. The two main parts of Irkutsk are customarily referred to as the "left bank" and the "right bank", with respect to the flow of the Angara River.[citation needed]

Irkutsk is situated in a landscape of rolling hills within the thicktaigathat is typical in Eastern Siberia.[29]

The population has been shrinking since the late 1980s:587,891 (2010 Census);[7]593,604 (2002 Census);[30]622,301 (1989 Soviet census).[31].According to the regional plan, Irkutsk city will be combined with its neighboring industrial towns ofShelekhovandAngarskto form a metropolitan area with a total population of over a million.[citation needed]

Urban layout

[edit]
Cathedral of the Theotokos of Kazan

The center of the historical part of the city is Kirov Square. In that place on July 6, 1661, Yakov Pokhabov laid a prison for collectingYasak,a tax collected from the local population with fur.[32]The architectural appearance of present-day Irkutsk has been born since the days of the wooden prison. The historic center of the city is now in its place. By the beginning of the 18th century, it had turned into a wooden fortress, which protected the inhabitants from the raids of nomads. A major fire of 1716 almost completely destroyed the fortifications, but in just a year new ones were built, already made of stone.

Of the buildings on the territory of the Irkutsk Kremlin of that time, the Savior Church has survived, the stone building of which was laid in 1706 in the north-western corner of the fort. Along with the Epiphany Cathedral, erected behind the eastern wall of the fortress and also preserved to this day, this is one of the oldest stone buildings in Siberia. The protective palisade and the moat, which once defended the Irkutsk fortress from the south, from the Angara bank to the Ushakovka River, existed until the middle of the 18th century.

In early Irkutsk there were no streets at all, the buildings approached the driveways with random turns and only with subsequent alterations were turned around with front facades. The first settlers did not orientate their houses in relation to neighboring buildings either. When building a new house, the owners usually adhered only to the orientation of the windows to the south side. This is how the layout of the oldest part of the city took shape — from Angara to modern Karl Marx Street: the main directions of the streets repeat the outlines of the coastline, which, in turn, are crossed by transverse passages connecting the outskirts of the city with the center and overlooking the Angara bank.

The curvature of the central streets and the disparity of the quarters formed by them, shows the spontaneous process of their formation. This is especially noticeable in the example of Basninskaya Street (now Sverdlova Street), which they tried to straighten with each new attempt to streamline the development. And it simply repeated the outlines of the log that once was here, formed, possibly, by the old lady of the Gryaznushka river, which connected Ushakovka and Angara.[33][18]

In 1726, defensive fortifications (palisade) were built in Irkutsk, behind which the barracks of the local garrison were taken out. The construction of the palisade changed the process of the spontaneous evolution of buildings and influenced the formation of the city's layout in the most significant way. After the fortification was dismantled in 1790,[34]a complete mismatch of street directions in the old and new parts of the city was revealed.

The state of development of the "pre-palisade" period is reflected in the first of the known plans of Irkutsk in 1729. Its main advantage is the fixation of the city's borders, which ran along the line of the modern Karl Marx Street. Between 1729 and 1768 in the space between Angara and Ushakovka, the first "zapalisadny" row of blocks is formed. A spontaneous settlement appears near the soldiers' barracks, first along the roads that approached the Mill and Overseas gates, and then between them. The development proceeded unevenly, the closest to the current state at that time were the fragments of buildings located in the area of Zamorskaya (Lenin st.) And Institutskaya (Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsii st.) Streets. Now it is, roughly, quarters No. 90, 91, 92.[citation needed]

The last third of the 18th century was significant both for the history of the city as a whole and for the formation of its buildings. With the formation of the Irkutsk province in 1764, Irkutsk became the center of the largest region in Russia—Eastern Siberia, which included Transbaikalia, Yakutia, the entire northeast to the Pacific Ocean. Irkutsk needed to expand, and by that time there were no enemies ready to lay claim to the city. The palisade was dismantled, and in its place appeared Bolshaya Preshpektnaya Street, now Karla Marxa Street, the only straight street in modern Irkutsk. The devastating fire of 1879 made its own adjustments to the construction laws as it was from here that the border began, beyond which it was forbidden to build from wood. This has divided the old Irkutsk into two parts: closer to the Angara river, mainly stone buildings remained, and on the other side, where there were once outskirts, the wooden Irkutsk grew.[35][36]

Climate

[edit]

Irkutsk has a borderlinehumid continental climate(Köppen climate classificationDwb,borderingDwc).

Irkutsk is characterized by an extreme variation of temperatures between seasons. It can be very warm in the summer, and very cold in the winter. However,Lake Baikalhas a tempering effect, giving Irkutsk temperatures that are slightly less extreme than at similar latitudes elsewhere in Siberia. The warmest month of the year is July, when the average temperature is +19 °C (66 °F); the highest temperature recorded being +37.2 °C (99.0 °F). The coldest month of the year is January, when the average temperature is −17.6 °C (0.3 °F), and record low of −49.7 °C (−57.5 °F).Precipitationvaries widely throughout the year, with July being the wettest month, when precipitation averages 107 millimeters (4.2 in). The driest month is February, when precipitation averages only 9 millimeters (0.35 in). Almost all precipitation during the Siberian winter falls as fluffy, dry snow.[citation needed]

Climate data for Irkutsk (1991–2020, extremes 1820–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1) 		10.2
(50.4) 		21.1
(70.0) 		29.2
(84.6) 		34.5
(94.1) 		35.6
(96.1) 		37.2
(99.0) 		34.7
(94.5) 		29.7
(85.5) 		25.6
(78.1) 		14.4
(57.9) 		5.3
(41.5) 		37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −12.7
(9.1) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		1.2
(34.2) 		10.5
(50.9) 		18.1
(64.6) 		23.8
(74.8) 		25.7
(78.3) 		22.9
(73.2) 		16.1
(61.0) 		7.9
(46.2) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		−10.8
(12.6) 		7.7
(45.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −17.6
(0.3) 		−14.1
(6.6) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		3.6
(38.5) 		10.4
(50.7) 		16.4
(61.5) 		19.0
(66.2) 		16.4
(61.5) 		9.5
(49.1) 		2.0
(35.6) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		−15.4
(4.3) 		1.4
(34.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −21.4
(−6.5) 		−19.1
(−2.4) 		−11.1
(12.0) 		−1.9
(28.6) 		3.7
(38.7) 		10.1
(50.2) 		13.5
(56.3) 		11.4
(52.5) 		4.6
(40.3) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		−11.5
(11.3) 		−19.1
(−2.4) 		−3.6
(25.5)
Record low °C (°F) −49.7
(−57.5) 		−44.7
(−48.5) 		−37.3
(−35.1) 		−31.8
(−25.2) 		−14.3
(6.3) 		−6
(21) 		0.4
(32.7) 		−2.7
(27.1) 		−11.9
(10.6) 		−30.5
(−22.9) 		−40.4
(−40.7) 		−46.3
(−51.3) 		−49.7
(−57.5)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 14
(0.6) 		9
(0.4) 		12
(0.5) 		21
(0.8) 		36
(1.4) 		69
(2.7) 		107
(4.2) 		96
(3.8) 		53
(2.1) 		21
(0.8) 		20
(0.8) 		19
(0.7) 		477
(18.8)
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches) 24
(9.4) 		28
(11) 		18
(7.1) 		1
(0.4) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(0.4) 		8
(3.1) 		18
(7.1) 		28
(11)
Average rainy days 0 0.04 1 9 15 18 18 17 16 9 2 0 105
Average snowy days 21 16 13 11 3 0.2 0 0 2 10 20 23 119
Averagerelative humidity(%) 81 74 63 54 53 65 72 76 75 71 78 84 71
Mean monthlysunshine hours 108.8 157.3 226.6 248.1 276.2 275.2 267.9 233.1 181.7 156.5 95.4 74.8 2,301.6
Source 1: Pogoda.ru.net[37]
Source 2:NOAA[38]

Administrative and municipal status

[edit]

Irkutsk is theadministrative centerof theoblastand, within theframework of administrative divisions,it also serves as the administrative center ofIrkutsky District,[2]even though it is not a part of it.[citation needed]As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as theCityof Irkutsk[1]—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of thedistricts.[citation needed]As amunicipal division,the City of Irkutsk is incorporated asIrkutsk Urban Okrug.[8]

Coat of arms

[edit]
The original version of the coat of arms

Thecoat of armsof Irkutsk features an old symbol ofDauria:aSiberian tigerwith asablein his mouth. When the coat of arms was devised in 1690, the animal was described as a tiger ( "babr", a bookish word of Persian derivation) with asablein his mouth. This image had been used by theYakutskcustoms office from about 1642. It has its origin in a seal of theSiberia Khanaterepresenting a sable and showcasing the fact that Siberia (or ratherYugra) was the main source of sable fur throughout theMiddle Ages.(Actually, the English word "sable" is derived from the Russian "sobol" ).[citation needed]

By the mid-19th century, the word "babr" had fallen out of common usage, but it was still recorded in theArmorial of the Russian Empire.Furthermore, the tigers became extinct in this part of Siberia. In the 1870s, a high-placed French heraldist with a limited command of Russian assumed that "babr" was a misspelling of "bobr", the Russian word for "beaver",and changed the wording accordingly. This modification engendered a long dispute between the local authorities, who were so confused by the revised description that they started to depict the" babr "as a fabulous animal, half-tiger and half-beaver.[citation needed]

The Soviets abolished the image altogether, but it was restored following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.[citation needed]

Economy

[edit]

Energy

[edit]

The 662.4 MWIrkutsk Hydroelectric Power Stationwas the first cascade hydroelectric power station in the Irkutsk region. The construction of the dam started in 1950 and finished in 1958.[39]

Industry

[edit]

The largest industry in Irkutsk isIrkut,the Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association,[40]which was set up in 1932 in theTransbaykal regionof theSoviet Union.It is best known as being the manufacturer of theSu-30family ofinterceptor/ground-attack aircraft.The Russian government has merged Irkut withIlyushin,Mikoyan,Sukhoi,Tupolev,andYakovlevinto a new company namedUnited Aircraft Building Corporation.[41]

The Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter which belongs to theRusalCompany.[42]

Transportation

[edit]
Irkutsk railway station
Tram in Irkutsk
See also:The Eastern-Siberian Inland Navigation CompanyandTrams in Irkutsk

Important roads and railways like theTrans-Siberian Highway(FederalM53andM55Highways) andTrans-Siberian Railwayconnect Irkutsk to other regions in Russia andMongolia.The city is also served by theIrkutsk International Airportand the smallerIrkutsk Northwest Airport.

The Federal road and railway toMoscowandVladivostokpass through the other side of the Angara River from central Irkutsk.

Tramsare one major mode of public transit in Irkutsk. Other modes are trolleybus, bus, fixed-route taxi (marshrutka) and cycling.

  • Trolleybus
    Trolleybus
  • Bus on Sedov Street
    Bus on Sedov Street

Health

[edit]

Despite its remoteness, Irkutsk was reported in 2004 to have the highestHIVinfection rate in Russia.[43]Tens of thousands of drug addicts, mostly ethnic Russians in their mid to late teens are infected. The number of reported AIDS cases increased by more than 10,000% during the 1999–2000 period. Although the epidemic, which started in 1999, is reported to have slowed down, Irkutsk will lose tens of thousands of its working age population from 2010 onwards. This is one of the reasons Irkutsk's male life expectancy, at 53 years, is one of the lowest in all of Russia. Preventive measures are in place to prevent the spread of the epidemic to the generation which was born after the breakup of the USSR.[44][45][46][47][48]

Culture

[edit]
Irkutsk Academic Drama Theater

Television and mass media

[edit]

There are state-owned and privately owned television stations in Irkutsk, including state company IGTRK[49]and private ones, such as AS Baikal TV,[50]TV company AIST,[51]TV company Gorod,[52]and also other media outlets, like the VSP Newspaper Agency.[53]There is also a live webcam broadcasting from the city center.[54]

Education

[edit]

Irkutsk is home to theEast Siberian Education Academy(since 1909),Irkutsk State University(1918),Irkutsk State Medical University(1918),Baykalsky State University of Economics and Law(since 1932),Irkutsk State Technical University(since 1939),Irkutsk State Academy of Agriculture,Irkutsk State Linguistic University(1948),Irkutsk State Railway Transport University(since 1975), and a number of private colleges:Siberian Institute of Law, Economics and Management(since 1993),Institute of Economics of ISTU(since 1996), and others.

Science

[edit]

As Irkutsk is within the influence of the Siberian Division of theRussian Academy of Sciences,there are nine research institutes located in the Irkutsk Academgorodok suburb: theInstitute of Geography,theEnergy System Institute,theInstitute of Geochemistry,theInstitute of System Dynamics and Control Theory,theEarth's Crust Institute,theSolar-Terrestrial Physics Institute,theInstitute of Chemistry,theLimnological Institute(formerly located on Lake Baikal's shore), theInstitute of Plant Physics,Laser Physics Institute(a Branch of the Institute of Laser Physics in Novosibirsk). A number of institutes conduct research withinIrkutsk State University:the Institute of Biology, the Institute of Oil and Coal Chemistry and Synthesis, the Laboratory of Quantum Chemistry, the Institute of Applied Physics, the Interregional Institute of Social Studies, the Astronomical Observatory, and the Botanical Gardens. TheEast-Siberian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciencesis also located in Irkutsk and is represented by the following research organizations: the Scientific Center for Medical Ecology, the Institute for Paediatrics and Human Reproduction, the Institute for Microbiology and Epidemiology, the Institute for Medicine of the Workplace and Human Ecology, the Institute of Reconstructive and Restorative Surgery, the Institute of Surgery, and the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics. Also, theFyodorov Eye Microsurgery Scientific and Technical Centerhas a branch in Irkutsk. Additionally, there are R&D institutes includingGAZPROMR&D Institute(a Branch of a Moscow-based institute), theIrkutsk Institute of Rare and Precious Metals and Diamonds (Irgiredmet),part of thePetropavlovskGroup of Companies.,[55]and the Vostoksibacademcenter of theRussian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciencesthat publishes the Project Baikal journal.

Literature

[edit]

Irkutsk plays a crucial role in Jules Verne’s 1876 novelMichael Strogoff.In the novel Strogoff is the heroic courier of the Czar Alexander II entrusted with delivering a critical dispatch to the Czar’s brother in Irkutsk with vital information about a rebellion brewing in Siberia. Irkutsk was home to Russian writerValentin Rasputin;many of his novels and stories take place in theAngaraValley. An essay on the cultural history of Irkutsk (and another one about the nearby Lake Baikal) is included in Rasputin's non-fiction collectionSiberia, Siberia,which is also available in an English translation. Irkutsk also figures prominently in descriptions by foreign travelers, including the so-called British "Blind Traveler"James Holman,who was suspected of spying and conducted back forcibly to the frontiers ofPoland.[citation needed] [56]

Museums

[edit]
The Church of the Cross (1747–60) is a pinnacle of theSiberian Baroquearchitecture

Irkutsk[57]is a point of interest for tourists with its numerous museums and old architecture. TheTaltsy Museum(Russian:Тальцы), located on the Angara 47 kilometers (29 mi) South of Irkutsk, is an open-air museum of Siberiantraditional architecture.Numerous old wooden buildings from villages in the Angara valley, which have been flooded after the construction of theBratsk DamandUst-Ilimsk Dam,have been transported to the museum and reassembled there. One of the centerpieces of the collection is a partial recreation of the 17th-centuryostrog(fortress) of Ilimsk, which consists of the original Spasskaya Tower and the Church of Our Lady of Kazan transported from the floodedostrogin the mid-1970s, to which an exact modern copy of another tower of theostrogand the Southern wall of the fortress were added in the early 2000s.[58]

TheBotanic Garden of the Irkutsk State Universityknown as the "Irkutsk Botanic Garden" is the onlybotanic gardenas a livingmuseumin Irkutsk Oblast and BaikalianSiberia.Its mission is "to protect and enrich the flora of the Lake Baikal area and the world for people through public education, collection, propagation, research, and conservation of plants". The garden is mainly an educational and scientific tool for theIrkutsk State Universityand maintains the largest plant collection of living plants in EasternSiberia(more than 5,000 plant taxa), a herbarium, and a seed bank. It occupies 27 hectares (67 acres) within Irkutsk city, 70 km (43 mi) West of Lake Baikal. It has a federal status of especially protected land and a nature memorial of Irkutsk.[citation needed]

Theaters

[edit]

Irkutsk is home to several theaters, including the Okhlopkov Drama Theater, one of Russia's oldest.[59]

Sports

[edit]
Ice palace

Bandyis popular in the city. There are several clubs, most notablyBaykal-Energiya[60]of theRussian Bandy Super League,which can draw spectator crowds of 30,000.[61]It is also the centre of women's bandy in Russia with the clubRekord,[62]which provides most players to the national team.[63]In the national championship 2019, four teams were from Irkutsk and only two from the rest of the country.[64]

In Irkutsk, there are 384 sports facilities, of which 200 are municipal ones. Among them there are 23 swimming pools, 14 ski bases, a sports palace, 154 courts, 165 gyms, an athletics arena, a racetrack, 7 stadiums—Trud,Rekord,Dynamo, Zenit, Aviator, Lokomotiv-2, sports complex of Irktusk and the main football arena—Lokomotiv.[65]

2012 Women's Bandy World Championship[66]was hosted in Irkutsk and received praise fromFederation of International Bandy.[67]2014 Bandy World Championshipwas played in the city.[68][69]The final ofRussian Bandy Super League2016 was played atRekord Stadium.[70]The2019 Bandy World Championshipwas scheduled to also be hosted in Irkutsk.[71]The decision was reconsidered, though.[72]Then it was thought that Irkutsk might get the right to host the 2020 tournament instead, ifFIBwas given guarantees that the planned indoor arena would be ready for use in time.[73]It will also be anindoor speed skating arena.[74]Its construction started in October 2018[75]and is expected to be ready for use by March 2020, just in time for the Bandy World Championship.[76]

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit]
See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Russia

Irkutsk istwinnedwith:[77]

Notable people

[edit]
Main article:List of people from Irkutsk

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^abcCharter of Irkutsk Oblast
  2. ^abcdefLaw #49-OZ
  3. ^abLantzeff, George V., and Richard A. Pierce (1973).Eastward to Empire: Exploration and Conquest on the Russian Open Frontier, to 1750.Montreal: McGill-Queen's U.P.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^"Болотов Руслан Николаевич".admirk.ru.
  5. ^"Мэр – Официальный портал города Иркутска".RetrievedJune 30,2022.
  6. ^"Федеральная служба государственной статистики Российской Федерации – База данных показателей муниципальных образований".Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2020.RetrievedMarch 17,2016.
  7. ^abRussian Federal State Statistics Service (2011).Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1[2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1].Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census](in Russian).Federal State Statistics Service.
  8. ^abcLaw #88-oz
  9. ^Law #94-oz
  10. ^"Об исчислении времени".Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации(in Russian). June 3, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 19,2019.
  11. ^Почта России. Информационно-вычислительный центр ОАСУ РПО. (Russian Post).Поиск объектов почтовой связи(Postal Objects Search)(in Russian)
  12. ^"International Calling Codes – Pg2".The-acr.com.RetrievedMarch 26,2013.
  13. ^"Irkutsk".Dictionary.com Unabridged(Online). n.d.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  14. ^Centre, UNESCO World Heritage."Centre historique d'Irkoutsk".UNESCO World Heritage Centre.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.
  15. ^Dameshek (2002), p. 16
  16. ^Иркутский острог, кремль и крепость – три названия, одна легенда
  17. ^Как застраивали Иркутск
  18. ^abcИркутский острог. Возникновение и основные этапы развития города Иркутска
  19. ^Gentes, Andrew A. (2003)."Siberian Exile and the 1863 Polish Insurrectionists According to Russian Sources".Jahrbücher für Geschichte Osteuropas.51(2): 197–217.ISSN0021-4019.
  20. ^"Isu - About Irkutsk".официальный сайт ФГБОУ ВО «Иркутский государственный университет».RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  21. ^"Collections from Siberia and the Russian Far East | Digital Collections from Russia | Articles and Essays | Meeting of Frontiers | Digital Collections | Library of Congress".Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  22. ^"160-ЛЕТИЕ ЯКУТСКО-АЯНСКОГО ТРАКТА".Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2012.RetrievedDecember 1,2020.
  23. ^abcdOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Irkutsk".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 14 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 796.
  24. ^Kennan, George (1891).Siberia and the Exile System.London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine & Co. pp. 1–2.
  25. ^Nechepurenko, Ivan (December 19, 2016)."In Russia, Dozens Dies After Drinking Alcohol Substitute".The New York Times.RetrievedDecember 19,2016.
  26. ^"Russia bath lotion poisoning: Putin orders crackdown as death toll rises".BBC. December 21, 2016.RetrievedDecember 21,2016.
  27. ^Sarah Rainsford (December 29, 2018)."Putin's Russia: Icy Siberia reveals cracks in society".BBC.com.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  28. ^"Russian Officers Assault Two Married Couples".jw.org.October 10, 2021.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  29. ^Frazier, Ian (August 3, 2009)."Travels in Siberia—II".The New Yorker.ISSN0028-792X.RetrievedJanuary 7,2024.
  30. ^Federal State Statistics Service(May 21, 2004).Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек[Population of Russia, Its Federal Districts, Federal Subjects, Districts, Urban Localities, Rural Localities—Administrative Centers, and Rural Localities with Population of Over 3,000](XLS).Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года [All-Russia Population Census of 2002](in Russian).
  31. ^Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров[All Union Population Census of 1989: Present Population of Union and Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Oblasts and Okrugs, Krais, Oblasts, Districts, Urban Settlements, and Villages Serving as District Administrative Centers].Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года [All-Union Population Census of 1989](in Russian). Институт демографии Национального исследовательского университета: Высшая школа экономики [Institute of Demography at the National Research University: Higher School of Economics]. 1989 – viaDemoscope Weekly.
  32. ^"О ПРЕДЫСТОРИИ ИРКУТСКОГО ОСТОРГА".// pribaikal.ru.Archivedfrom the original on November 10, 2013.RetrievedNovember 6,2011.
  33. ^[Дамешек Л. М. и др. Иркутск в панораме веков: очерки истории города / Под ред. Л. М. Дамешек. — И.: Восточно-Сибирская издательская компания, 2002]
  34. ^Дамешек Л. М. и др. Иркутск в панораме веков: очерки истории города / Под ред. Л. М. Дамешек. — И.: Восточно-Сибирская издательская компания, 2002.
  35. ^"Исторический центр Иркутска. Подробная информация: расписание, фото, адрес и т. д. на официальном сайте Культура.РФ".
  36. ^ИСТОРИЧЕСКИЙ ЦЕНТР ИРКУТСКА
  37. ^"Pogoda.ru.net- Climate Data for Irkutsk 1991–2020"(in Russian). Weather and Climate (Погода и климат).RetrievedNovember 8,2021.
  38. ^ "Irkutsk Climate Normals 1991–2020".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.November 2, 2023.
  39. ^"Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station History".Irkutskenergo. Archived fromthe originalon March 25, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 7,2010.
  40. ^"Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association - Russian Defense Industry".Federation of American Scientists.RetrievedSeptember 27,2023.
  41. ^"Russian Aircraft Industry Seeks Revival Through Merger."The New York Times.February 22, 2006
  42. ^"Страница не найдена".Rusal.ru. Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2012.RetrievedMarch 26,2013.
  43. ^"Russia Sees an AIDS 'Explosion'"Washington Post, June 13, 2004
  44. ^"AEGIS Security & Investigations - Los Angeles Private Investigator".AEGIS.Archived fromthe originalon February 14, 2012.RetrievedDecember 5,2015.
  45. ^"AIDS Epidemic Explodes in Eastern Europe".TheBody.com.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2011.RetrievedDecember 5,2015.
  46. ^Zaznobova, N. A.; Ivanova, N. V. (2000). "[The HIV infection epidemic in the city of Irkutsk under the conditions of drug abuse prevalence]".Zh. Mikrobiol. Epidemiol. Immunobiol.(4): 38–9.PMID10994102.
  47. ^"[pr-x] Russians dying of AIDS, drugs and despair".RetrievedDecember 5,2015.
  48. ^"WWW Irkutsk: AIDS problem in Irkutsk".Archivedfrom the original on March 3, 2016.RetrievedDecember 5,2015.
  49. ^"IGTRK – Irkutsk branch of the State Television and Radio Broadcast Company".Irkutsk.rfn.ru. Archived fromthe originalon April 17, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  50. ^"AS Baikal TV".AS Baikal TV. Archived fromthe originalon March 24, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  51. ^"TV Company AIST".Aisttv.ru. Archived fromthe originalon March 1, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  52. ^"gorodtv.ru. Domain is, probably, for sale".gorodtv.ru.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  53. ^"VSP Newspaper Agency".Vsp.ru.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  54. ^Live webcam in IrkutskArchivedApril 1, 2006, at theWayback Machine
  55. ^"Аналитическая служба".Petropavlovsk.net. Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  56. ^Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne, Charles Scribner's and Sons, 1927
  57. ^"Irkutsk – Lonely Planet Travel and Information Guide".Lonelyplanet.com.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  58. ^В «Тальцах» завершается реконструкция южной стены Илимского острогаArchivedFebruary 14, 2009, at theWayback Machine(Re-creation of the southern wall of the Ilimskostrogin the Taltsy Museum is approaching its completion)(in Russian)
  59. ^"Irkutsk: Libertine Legacy by the Lakeside | Beyond Moscow".The Moscow Times.RetrievedMarch 26,2013.
  60. ^"Хоккейный клуб" Байкал-Энергия ". Официальный сайт".Baikal-energy.ru.RetrievedMarch 26,2013.
  61. ^baikal-energy bandyonYouTube
  62. ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2010.RetrievedDecember 3,2009.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  63. ^"Bandy2010.com".Bandy2010.com. Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2012.RetrievedMarch 26,2013.
  64. ^"Дмитрий Буров: Будущее хоккея с мячом за крытыми ледовыми аренами - Архив новостей - Федерация хоккея с мячом России".
  65. ^"Региональное законодательство - Иркутская область. Официальный портал".irkobl.ru.RetrievedFebruary 20,2022.
  66. ^"WCS 2012 home page".Baikal-bandy.ru. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  67. ^emh solutions."A very well organized World Championship for Women in Irkutsk made a great success".Worldbandy.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  68. ^"XXXIV Champ Of World Bandy".Baikal-bandy.ru. Archived fromthe originalon February 8, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  69. ^emh solutions."Russia world champions".Worldbandy.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 19, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  70. ^"Google Translate".translate.google.com.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  71. ^"Annual Congress in Sandviken, Sweden on Jan 30 2017 2017-01-28"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 4, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 23,2017.
  72. ^"Google Translate".translate.google.co.uk.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  73. ^"Google Translate".translate.google.co.uk.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  74. ^"Google Translate".translate.google.co.uk.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  75. ^"Google Translate".translate.google.co.uk.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  76. ^"Google Translate".translate.google.co.uk.RetrievedDecember 11,2018.
  77. ^"Международные отношения".admirk.ru(in Russian). Irkutsk. Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
  78. ^"Eugene suspends sister city in Russia".KLCC.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.

Sources

[edit]
  • Законодательное Собрание Иркутской области. Постановление №9/5-ЗС от 15 апреля 2009 г. «Устав Иркутской области», в ред. Закона №2-У от 14 декабря 2017 г. «О поправках к Уставу Иркутской области». Вступил в силу по истечении десяти дней после дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Областная", №45, 24 апреля 2009 г.(Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Oblast. Resolution #9/5-ZS of April 15, 2009Charter of Irkutsk Oblast,as amended by the Law #2-U of December 14, 2017On the Amendments to the Charter of Irkutsk Oblast.Effective as of the day following a ten-day period after the day of the official publication.).
  • Законодательное Собрание Иркутской области. Закон №49-ОЗ от 21 июня 2010 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Иркутской области», в ред. Закона №12-ОЗ от 23 марта 2017 г. «О внесении изменений в статьи 25 и 33 Закона Иркутской области "Об административно-территориальном устройстве Иркутской области" и Закон Иркутской области "О порядке рассмотрения Законодательным Собранием Иркутской области предложений о присвоении наименований географическим объектам и (или) о переименовании географических объектов" ». Вступил в силу после дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Областная", №71, 25 июня 2010 г.(Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Oblast. Law #49-OZ of June 21, 2010On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Irkutsk Oblast,as amended by the Law #12-OZ of March 23, 2017On Amending Articles 25 and 33 of the Law of Irkutsk Oblast "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Irkutsk Oblast" and the Law of Irkutsk Oblast "On the Procedures for Consideration of Assignments of Names to Geographical Objects and (or) Renaming of Geographical Objects".Effective as of after the day of the official publication.).
  • Законодательное Собрание Иркутской области. Закон №88-оз от 16 декабря 2004 г. «О статусе и границах муниципального образования "город Иркутск" Иркутской области». Вступил в силу с 31 декабря 2004 г., но не ранее чем через 10 дней со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Восточно-Сибирская правда", №254–255, 20 декабря 2004 г.(Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Oblast. Law #88-oz of December 16, 2004On the Status and Borders of the Municipal Formation of the "City of Irkutsk" of Irkutsk Oblast.Effective as of December 31, 2004, but not earlier than 10 days after the official publication date.).
  • Законодательное Собрание Иркутской области. Закон №94-оз от 16 декабря 2004 г. «О статусе и границах муниципальных образований Иркутского района Иркутской области», в ред. Закона №106-ОЗ от 6 ноября 2012 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Иркутской области "О статусе и границах муниципальных образований Иркутского района Иркутской области" ». Вступил в силу с 31 декабря 2004 г., но не ранее чем через 10 дней со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Восточно-Сибирская правда", №254–255, 20 декабря 2004 г.(Legislative Assembly of Irkutsk Oblast. Law #94-oz of December 16, 2004On the Status and Borders of the Municipal Formations of Irkutsky District of Irkutsk Oblast,as amended by the Law #106-OZ of November 6, 2012On Amending the Law of Irkutsk Oblast "On the Status and Borders of the Municipal Formations of Irkutsky District of Irkutsk Oblast".Effective as of December 31, 2004, but not earlier than 10 days after the official publication date.).
  • Brumfield, William.Irkutsk: Architectural Heritage in Photographs// Moscow: Tri Kvadrata Publishing, 2006.ISBN978-5-94607-061-4
  • Polunina N.M., Korobov S.A., Sutton J.M., Korobova G.W.Her Majesty — Queen of Siberia // Publishers Korobov. — Irkutsk, 2008.
[edit]

Media related toIrkutskat Wikimedia Commons

Wikivoyage has a travel guide forIrkutsk.
Wikisourcehas the text of a 1905New International Encyclopediaarticle about "Irkutsk".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Irkutsk&oldid=1243325183"