Barnaul
Encyclopedia
Russian Empire
Barnaul was one of the earlier cities established in SiberiaSiberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. Originally chosen for its proximity to the mineral-rich Altai Mountains and its location on a major river, the site was founded by the wealthy Demidov
Demidov
The Demidov family, also Demidoff, were an influential Russian merchant, industrialist and later chivalry family, possibly second only to the Tsar himself in wealth during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.-History:...
family in the 1730s. In addition to the copper which had originally attracted the Demidovs, substantial deposits of silver were soon found as well. In 1747, the Demidovs' factories were taken over by the Crown, and soon became the major silver center of Russia.
By the 18th and early 19th centuries, 90% of Russian silver was produced in the Altai region. Barnaul was the site of the country's largest silver-smelting factory, and as production expanded, so did the population. In 1771, the once-small settlement acquired the status of a mining town that was one of the largest in Siberia.
By the 1900s, Barnaul had grown into a major center of trade and culture of the region, especially after the construction of the Turkestan-Siberia Railway
Turkestan-Siberia Railway
The Turkestan–Siberian Railway is a broad gauge railway that connects Central Asia with Siberia. It starts north of Tashkent in Uzbekistan at Arys, where it branches off from the Trans-Caspian Railway. It heads roughly northeast through Shymkent, Taraz, Bishkek to the former Kazakh capital of...
.
World War II
Although the city was thousands of miles away from the actual fighting, hundreds of thousands of citizens from The Altai KraiAltai Krai
Altai Krai is a federal subject of Russia . It borders with, clockwise from the south, Kazakhstan, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo Oblasts, and the Altai Republic. The krai's administrative center is the city of Barnaul...
fought and died at the front in the course of the Second World War, a fact commemorated by a large memorial in central Barnaul.
The same period saw Barnaul's economic importance increase dramatically as a result of the relocation of major Soviet industrial facilities from the west of the country to the safety of distant Siberia. As a result, Barnaul continues to host one of the largest ammunition factories in Russia.
Economy
Barnaul is an important industrial center of Western SiberiaSiberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. There are more than 100 industrial enterprises in the city, employing approximately 120 thousand people. Leading industries in the city work with diesel and carbon processing; as well as production of heavy machinery, tires, furniture and footwear. It is also home to a newly established diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
faceting industry, which the city hopes will expand and become a major source of revenue in the future. Barnaul is currently one of the only locations in Russia which has an industry specializing in diamond-faceting.
The main business street of the city is Leninsky Prospect, which runs southwest from the Ob River through the center of the city. In recent years, a number of new high-end shopping centers have appeared to meet demand for products desired by the city's nouveau riche
Nouveau riche
The nouveau riche , or new money, comprise those who have acquired considerable wealth within their own generation...
. Another industry quickly changing the face of Barnaul's downtown area is the restaurant industry: while choices had been extremely limited until recently, a growing number of establishments catering to people of differing income levels are becoming more common, coinciding with the upturn in the region's economy.
Transport
Barnaul has air, railway, road and riverboat links to other parts of Russia. The city lies approximately 220 kilometres (136.7 mi) south of NovosibirskNovosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third-largest city in Russia, after Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the largest city of Siberia, with a population of 1,473,737 . It is the administrative center of Novosibirsk Oblast as well as of the Siberian Federal District...
, the largest city in Siberia and the third-largest in Russia. It is at a junction of the Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third-largest city in Russia, after Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the largest city of Siberia, with a population of 1,473,737 . It is the administrative center of Novosibirsk Oblast as well as of the Siberian Federal District...
–Almaty
Almaty
Almaty , also known by its former names Verny and Alma-Ata , is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city, with a population of 1,348,500...
and Biysk
Biysk
Biysk is a city in Altai Krai, Russia. It is the second largest city of the krai . Population: -Geography:Biysk is situated in southwestern Siberia, on the Biya River . The city is called "the gates to the Altai Mountains", because of its position comparatively not far from this range...
train lines. There are also frequent buses to nearby cities Biysk
Biysk
Biysk is a city in Altai Krai, Russia. It is the second largest city of the krai . Population: -Geography:Biysk is situated in southwestern Siberia, on the Biya River . The city is called "the gates to the Altai Mountains", because of its position comparatively not far from this range...
and Gorno-Altaysk
Gorno-Altaysk
Gorno-Altaysk is the capital town of the Altai Republic, Russia, situated east of Moscow. Population: This only town of the republic lies in a narrow Mayma Valley in the foothills of the Altay Mountains...
. It takes about four hours to reach the Altai Mountains in the south by car along the Chuysky highway.
Barnaul airport
Barnaul Airport
Barnaul Airport is a major airport in Altai Krai, Russia located 15 km west of Barnaul. It contains large facilities and a remote tarmac for military use. The civilian side of the airfield services nine aircraft...
located about fifteen minutes from the center of the city, which offers daily flights to and from Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
and Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
among other more local flights. Barnaul is approximately four hours by plane from Moscow, and slightly longer to Saint Petersburg. It also takes approximately four hours by plane to reach Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
on the Pacific coast of Russia.
Any part of the city can be reached using public transport, whether by bus, trolley, or taxi.
Although Barnaul's main roads have undergone recent renovation, most other roads are in serious disrepair.
Education and culture
Barnaul is an important regional center of scientific development. Five universities, including I. I. PolzunovIvan Polzunov
Ivan Ivanovich Polzunov was a Russian inventor. He is credited with creation of the first steam engine in Russia and the first two-cylinder engine in the world.A minor planet, 1978SP7 is named in his honor, as well as a crater on the Moon.-Biography:...
, Altai State Technical University
Altai State Technical University
The leading scientific university of the Altai region, Altai State Technical University is one of a number of universities of the city of Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia. It is one of the largest institutions of higher learning in Russia....
, Barnaul State Pedagogical University
Barnaul State Pedagogical University
Altai State Pedagogical Academy is an institution of higher education in Barnaul, Russia.Barnaul Teachers Institute was established in 1933 and renamed into Barnaul State Pedagogical Institute in 1941. In 1993 this institution of higher education received a university status...
, Altai State Medical University
Altai State Medical University
Altai State Medical University is a state university in Barnaul, Russia.-Faculties:The university has seven faculties:* General medicine * Pediatrics * Pharmaceutics * Stomatology...
and Altai State University
Altai State University
Altai State University, founded in 1973, is a university in Barnaul, Russia.Altai State University has the following departments: Biology; Geography; Journalism; Arts; History; Mathematics; Education; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Engineering; Philology; Chemistry; Economics,...
, as well as 35 libraries are located in the city. Barnaul also has five theatres and three museums. The city's Museum of Local Lore was founded in 1823 and is one of the oldest in Siberia, displaying local artists' work as well as unique artifacts from the Altai region.
Sports
Since 1957 FC Dynamo BarnaulFC Dynamo Barnaul
FC Dynamo Barnaul is the Russian professional club from Barnaul. Founded in 1957. Following the 2008 season, the club was relegated from the Russian First Division to the Russian Second Division.-Current squad:As of October 10, 2011, according to the ....
has been the city's professional football club. The club has recently advanced from the Russian Second Division
Russian Second Division
The Russian Second Division is the third level of Russian professional football.In 1998–2010, it was run by the Professional Football League....
to the Russian First Division.
Twin towns/sister cities
Barnaul is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
, Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Baicheng
Baicheng
-Administrative divisions:-Economy:Textile industry is one of the main pillars of the economy.Agriculture of the area is centred on plantation of soy beans and oil plants.-Traffic:...
, Jilin
Jilin
Jilin , is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. Jilin borders North Korea and Russia to the east, Heilongjiang to the north, Liaoning to the south, and Inner Mongolia to the west...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture
Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture
Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture ) is an autonomous prefecture of Xinjiang in the People's Republic of China. It is located in the northeastern part of Xinjiang...
, Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
, China (2007)
Notable people born in Barnaul
- Rita StreichRita StreichRita Streich , was one of the most admired and recorded sopranos of the post-war period.Rita Streich was born in Barnaul in Russia, and moved to Germany with her parents during her childhood. She grew up bilingual, something that was extremely helpful during her later career...
, 1920, December 18, ColoraturaColoraturaColoratura has several meanings. The word is originally from Italian, literally meaning "coloring", and derives from the Latin word colorare . When used in English, the term specifically refers to elaborate melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and...
sopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
of the post-warWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
period. - Konstantin ScherbakovKonstantin ScherbakovKonstantin Scherbakov is a Russian pianist. He was the winner of the first Rachmaninov Competition in 1983...
, 1963, pianistPianistA pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:... - Julia NeigelJulia NeigelJulia Neigel is a German singer/songwriter, author and producer. Her family moved back to Germany in 1971. She lives in Ludwigshafen am Rhein in Rhineland-Palatinate....
, 1966, April 19, singer-songwriterSinger-songwriterSinger-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, Female Rock singer, is a Russian-German, lives in Germany, Ludwigshafen am RheinLudwigshafen am RheinLudwigshafen am Rhein is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Ludwigshafen is located on the Rhine opposite Mannheim. Together with Mannheim, Heidelberg and the surrounding region, it forms the Rhine Neckar Area....
, since 1971 - Nikolskaya-Ekseli, Anna O., 1979, June 14, AuthorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, Children's stories and books, Sci-fi stories and books. - Anastasia Alexandrovna Beresneva, 1982, Geometer