Totemsky District
Encyclopedia
Totemsky District is an administrative district (raion
), one of the twenty-six
in Vologda Oblast
, Russia
. Municipally, it is incorporated as Totemsky Municipal District. It is located in the east of the oblast
and borders with Verkhovazhsky
and Tarnogsky District
s in the north, Nyuksensky District
in the northeast, Babushkinsky District
in the east, Chukhlomsky
and Soligalichsky District
s of Kostroma Oblast
in the south, Mezhdurechensky
and Sokolsky Districts
in the southwest, and Syamzhensky District
in the west. The area of the district is 8200 square kilometres (3,166 sq mi). Its administrative center is the town of Totma
. District's population: 26,392 (2002 Census
); Population of Totma accounts for 41.9% of the district's population.
, who used the Sukhona as the main waterway leading to the north and eventually to the White Sea
. In 13th century, the salt production started around Totma, and the town, which was originally located downstream of the current place, was relocated. In 1539-1541 Totma was plundered by Kazan Tatars
, after which a fortress was built. In 16th century, Totma was one of the most properous towns of the Russian North, due to the trade and to the salt production. In 1554, monk Feodosy Sumorin founded the Transfiguration Monastery. In 17th and 18th centuries, Totma was three times visited by Peter the Great, which was rather exceptional given the remote location of the town. In 18th century Totma was one of the main centers of the exploration of and the trade with Alaska
. In particular, Ivan Kuskov
, the first administrator of Fort Ross, a Russian fortress in California, was a native of Totma.
In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great the area was included into Archangelgorod Governorate
. Totma was explicitly mentioned as one of the towns included in the governorate. In 1780, the governorate was abolished and transformed into Vologda Viceroyalty
; simultaneously, Totemsky Uyezd was established. The viceroyalty was abolished in 1796, and the part of it which included Totma was made Vologda Governorate
.
On July 15, 1929, several governorates, including Vologda Governorate, were merged into Northern Krai
, and the uyezds were abolished. Instead, Totemsky District with the administrative center in the town of Totma was established as part of Vologda Okrug. It included parts of the former area of Totemsky Uyezd. In the following years, the first-level administrative division of Russia kept changing. In 1936, Northern Krai was transformed into Northern Oblast. In 1937, Northern Oblast was split into Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vologda Oblast. Totemsky District remained in Vologda Oblast ever since.
On July 15, 1929 Tolshmensky District with the center in the selo of Krasnoye was also established. On July 30, 1931 it was abolished, and its area was divided between Shuysky
and Totemsky Districts. Syamzhensky District
, which was also established on July 15, 1929, was likewise abolished on July 30, 1931, and its area was divided between Totemsky and Kharovsky District
. On January 25, 1935 Syamzhensky District was reestablished.
, which crosses it from the southwest to the northeast. Almost all of the district area lies in the river basin of the Sukhona and its tributaries, including the Tolshma
from the right and the Tsaryova and the Yedenga from the left. Minor areas in the north of the district belong to the river basins of the Vaga
and the Kuloy
. In particular, Lake Sonduzhskoye, by far the biggest lake in the district, is the source of the Kuloy. Minor areas in the west of the district drain into the Syamzhena
, a tributary of the Kubena
. Some areas in the south of the district belong to the river basins of the Unzha
and the Kostroma
and thus drain into the Volga
. The divide between the river basins of the Northern Dvina and the Volga, which crosses the southern part of the district, is marked by the western part of the Northern Ridge
hill chain.
Considerable areas within the district are covered by coniferous forests.
Swamps cover up to 8% of the area of the district. The biggest one is the Bolshaya Chist Swamp located between the valleys of the Sukhona and the Tolshma and shared by Totemsky, Mezhdurechensky Districts, and Kostroma Oblast. The area of the swamp is about 200 square kilometre, the major part of it it treeless, and Bolshaya Chist is the largest area swamp in Vologda Oblast. Other swamps are located in the north of the district, in particular, in the valleys of the Kuloy and the Uftyuga. Lake Sonduzhskoye is surrounded by swamps.
with Vologda
via Kadnikov
(southwest), Veliky Ustyug
via Nyuksenitsa
(northeast), and Nikolsk
via Imeni Babushkina
(east). Before the road between Totma and Veliky Ustyug along the Sukhona was completed in 2000s, the only connection between the towns was via Nikolsk.
The only railroad in the district is the Monza Railroad, built for timber transport and operated by the timber production authorities, which runs along the border of Vologda and Kostroma Oblasts. The railroad crosses Totemsky District from west to east. The plans to extend it further east to Nikolsk were never realized.
The Sukhona is navigable in the district limits, however, there is no passenger navigation.
. This style is sometimes referred to as Totma barocco.
Totemsky District has a high concentration of historical, archaeological, and architectural monuments. The district contains sixteen objects classified as cultural and historical heritage by Russian Federal law (twelve of them in the town of Totma), and additionally ninety-nine objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local importance (seventy-four of them in Totma). Most of these are churches and chapels located in the area.
The monuments classified as cultural heritage by the federal law are the following:
Totma hosts five state museums:: The Totma Regional Museum, founded in 1915, The museum of Church Antiquities, the House of Ivan Kuskov, the museum of Sea Explorers (in the building of the Church of the Entry into Jerusalem), and the museum of artifacts in Spaso-Sumorin Monastery. There is also a museum in the village of Tsaryova, which shows ethnographic collections.
A Russian poet, Nikolay Rubtsov
, spent eight years, from 1942 (age of 6) to 1950, in an orphanage
in the selo of Nikolskoye of Totemsky District. He then moved to Totma, where in 1952 he graduated from a college and left the town.
Raion
A raion is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet countries. The term, which is from French rayon 'honeycomb, department,' describes both a type of a subnational entity and a division of a city, and is commonly translated in English as "district"...
), one of the twenty-six
Administrative divisions of Vologda Oblast
Administratively, Vologda Oblast is divided into four cities and towns of oblast significance and twenty-six districts.In terms of the area, the biggest administrative district is Vytegorsky District ....
in Vologda Oblast
Vologda Oblast
Vologda Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Its administrative center is Vologda. The largest city is Cherepovets.Vologda Oblast is rich in historic monuments, such as the magnificent Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Ferapontov Convent , medieval towns of Velikiy Ustyug and Belozersk, baroque...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Municipally, it is incorporated as Totemsky Municipal District. It is located in the east of the oblast
Oblast
Oblast is a type of administrative division in Slavic countries, including some countries of the former Soviet Union. The word "oblast" is a loanword in English, but it is nevertheless often translated as "area", "zone", "province", or "region"...
and borders with Verkhovazhsky
Verkhovazhsky District
Verkhovazhsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Verkhovazhsky Municipal District...
and Tarnogsky District
Tarnogsky District
Tarnogsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Tarnogsky Municipal District...
s in the north, Nyuksensky District
Nyuksensky District
Nyuksensky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Nyuksensky Municipal District...
in the northeast, Babushkinsky District
Babushkinsky District, Vologda Oblast
Babushkinsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Babushkinsky Municipal District...
in the east, Chukhlomsky
Chukhlomsky District
Chukhlomsky District is an administrative district , one of the 24 in Kostroma Oblast, Russia....
and Soligalichsky District
Soligalichsky District
Soligalichsky District is an administrative district , one of the 24 in Kostroma Oblast, Russia....
s of Kostroma Oblast
Kostroma Oblast
Kostroma Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Its administrative center is the city of Kostroma.Major historic towns include Kostroma, Sharya, Nerekhta, Galich, Soligalich, and Makaryev. Textile industries have been developed there since the early 18th century...
in the south, Mezhdurechensky
Mezhdurechensky District
Mezhdurechensky District is the name of several administrative and municipal districts in Russia:*Mezhdurechensky District, Kemerovo Oblast, an administrative district of Kemerovo Oblast...
and Sokolsky Districts
Sokolsky District, Vologda Oblast
Sokolsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Sokolsky Municipal District...
in the southwest, and Syamzhensky District
Syamzhensky District
Syamzhensky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Syamzhensky Municipal District...
in the west. The area of the district is 8200 square kilometres (3,166 sq mi). Its administrative center is the town of Totma
Totma
Totma is a town and the administrative center of Totemsky District of Vologda Oblast, Russia,, located on the left bank of the Sukhona River at the confluence with the Pesya Denga River. Municipally, it is incorporated as Totemskoe Urban Settlement in Totemsky Municipal District. Population:...
. District's population: 26,392 (2002 Census
Russian Census (2002)
Russian Census of 2002 was the first census of the Russian Federation carried out on October 9 through October 16, 2002. It was carried out by the Russian Federal Service of State Statistics .-Resident population:...
); Population of Totma accounts for 41.9% of the district's population.
History
Totma was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1137. It was founded by NovgorodiansNovgorod Republic
The Novgorod Republic was a large medieval Russian state which stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Ural Mountains between the 12th and 15th centuries, centred on the city of Novgorod...
, who used the Sukhona as the main waterway leading to the north and eventually to the White Sea
White Sea
The White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea located on the northwest coast of Russia. It is surrounded by Karelia to the west, the Kola Peninsula to the north, and the Kanin Peninsula to the northeast. The whole of the White Sea is under Russian sovereignty and considered to be part of...
. In 13th century, the salt production started around Totma, and the town, which was originally located downstream of the current place, was relocated. In 1539-1541 Totma was plundered by Kazan Tatars
Khanate of Kazan
The Khanate of Kazan was a medieval Tatar state which occupied the territory of former Volga Bulgaria between 1438 and 1552. Its khans were the patrilineal descendants of Toqa Temür, the thirteenth son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan. The khanate covered contemporary Tatarstan, Mari El,...
, after which a fortress was built. In 16th century, Totma was one of the most properous towns of the Russian North, due to the trade and to the salt production. In 1554, monk Feodosy Sumorin founded the Transfiguration Monastery. In 17th and 18th centuries, Totma was three times visited by Peter the Great, which was rather exceptional given the remote location of the town. In 18th century Totma was one of the main centers of the exploration of and the trade with Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. In particular, Ivan Kuskov
Ivan Kuskov
Ivan Aleksandrovich Kuskov was the senior assistant to Aleksandr Baranov, the Chief Administrator of the Russian-American Company A native of Totma, Russia, he served in the RAC for 31 years, attaining the rank of Commerce Counselor and being awarded the gold medal "for zealous service" from...
, the first administrator of Fort Ross, a Russian fortress in California, was a native of Totma.
In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great the area was included into Archangelgorod Governorate
Archangelgorod Governorate
Archangelgorod Governorate , or the Government of Archangelgorod, was an administrative division of the Russian Empire, which existed from 1708 until 1780. Its seat was in Archangel...
. Totma was explicitly mentioned as one of the towns included in the governorate. In 1780, the governorate was abolished and transformed into Vologda Viceroyalty
Vologda Viceroyalty
Vologda Viceroyalty was an administrative division of the Russian Empire, which existed in 1780–1796.The viceroyalty was established by a decree of Catherine II on , 1780...
; simultaneously, Totemsky Uyezd was established. The viceroyalty was abolished in 1796, and the part of it which included Totma was made Vologda Governorate
Vologda Governorate
The Vologda Governorate or Government of Vologda was a guberniya in the historical northern region of the European part of Russian Empire.In its size it was second right after the neighboring Archangelgorod Governorate...
.
On July 15, 1929, several governorates, including Vologda Governorate, were merged into Northern Krai
Northern Krai
Northern Krai was a krai of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic from 1929 to 1936. Its seat was in the city of Arkhangelsk...
, and the uyezds were abolished. Instead, Totemsky District with the administrative center in the town of Totma was established as part of Vologda Okrug. It included parts of the former area of Totemsky Uyezd. In the following years, the first-level administrative division of Russia kept changing. In 1936, Northern Krai was transformed into Northern Oblast. In 1937, Northern Oblast was split into Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vologda Oblast. Totemsky District remained in Vologda Oblast ever since.
On July 15, 1929 Tolshmensky District with the center in the selo of Krasnoye was also established. On July 30, 1931 it was abolished, and its area was divided between Shuysky
Mezhdurechensky District, Vologda Oblast
Mezhdurechensky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Mezhdurechensky Municipal District...
and Totemsky Districts. Syamzhensky District
Syamzhensky District
Syamzhensky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Syamzhensky Municipal District...
, which was also established on July 15, 1929, was likewise abolished on July 30, 1931, and its area was divided between Totemsky and Kharovsky District
Kharovsky District
Kharovsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Kharovsky Municipal District. It is located in the center of the oblast and borders with Vozhegodsky District in the north, Syamzhensky District in the east,...
. On January 25, 1935 Syamzhensky District was reestablished.
Location and geography
The area of the district is elongated from the south to the north, and there is a part appended from the northeast. The main waterway within the district limits is the SukhonaSukhona River
The Sukhona is a river in the European pert of Russia, a tributary of the Northern Dvina River. The course of the Sukhona lies in Ust-Kubinsky, Sokolsky, Mezhdurechensky, Totemsky, Tarnogsky, Nyuksensky, and Velikoustyugsky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is long, and the area of its...
, which crosses it from the southwest to the northeast. Almost all of the district area lies in the river basin of the Sukhona and its tributaries, including the Tolshma
Tolshma River
The Tolshma is a river in Soligalichsky District of Kostroma Oblast and Totemsky District of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is a right tributary of the Sukhona River. The river is long. The area of its basin is...
from the right and the Tsaryova and the Yedenga from the left. Minor areas in the north of the district belong to the river basins of the Vaga
Vaga River
The Vaga is a river in Totemsky, Syamzhensky, and Verkhovazhsky Districts of Vologda Oblast and in Velsky, Shenkursky, and Vinogradovsky Districts of Arkhangelsk Oblast in Russia. It is a left and the biggest tributary of the Northern Dvina River. The length of the river is . The area of its basin...
and the Kuloy
Kuloy River (Vaga)
The Kuloy is a river in Totemsky and Verkhovazhsky Districts of Vologda Oblast and Velsky Districts of Arkhangelsk Oblast in Russia. It is a right tributary of the Vaga River. The length of the river is . The area of its basin...
. In particular, Lake Sonduzhskoye, by far the biggest lake in the district, is the source of the Kuloy. Minor areas in the west of the district drain into the Syamzhena
Syamzhena River
The Syamzhena is a river in Sokolsky and Syamzhensky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is a left tributary of the Kubena River. It is long, and the area of its basin . Its main tributaries are the Shichenga and the Bolshoy Pungul...
, a tributary of the Kubena
Kubena River
The Kubena is a river in Konoshsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vozhegodsky, Syamzhensky, Kharovsky, Sokolsky, and Ust-Kubinsky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is long, and the area of its basin . The Kubena is the principal tributary of Lake Kubenskoye and belongs to the basins...
. Some areas in the south of the district belong to the river basins of the Unzha
Unzha River
Unzha River , a river in the Vologda Oblast and Kostroma Oblast in Russia, a tributary of the Volga River. Its length is 426 km. The area of the basin is 28,900 km². The Unzha River begins at the confluence of the Kema River and the Lundonga River. It flows into the Unzhensky Cove of the Gorkovsky...
and the Kostroma
Kostroma River
The Kostroma is a river in the European part of Russia. It flows through the Kostroma and Yaroslavl Oblasts, and is a left tributary of the Volga, which it enters at the Gorky Reservoir, at the city of Kostroma, at ....
and thus drain into the Volga
Volga River
The Volga is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. Out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, eleven, including the capital Moscow, are situated in the Volga's drainage...
. The divide between the river basins of the Northern Dvina and the Volga, which crosses the southern part of the district, is marked by the western part of the Northern Ridge
Northern Ridge
The Northern Ridge, Northern Uvaly, Severnyye Uvaly , is the chain of hills in the northern part of the East European Plain in Russia. The Northern Ridge divides the river basins of the Northern Dvina River and the Volga River...
hill chain.
Considerable areas within the district are covered by coniferous forests.
Swamps cover up to 8% of the area of the district. The biggest one is the Bolshaya Chist Swamp located between the valleys of the Sukhona and the Tolshma and shared by Totemsky, Mezhdurechensky Districts, and Kostroma Oblast. The area of the swamp is about 200 square kilometre, the major part of it it treeless, and Bolshaya Chist is the largest area swamp in Vologda Oblast. Other swamps are located in the north of the district, in particular, in the valleys of the Kuloy and the Uftyuga. Lake Sonduzhskoye is surrounded by swamps.
Economy
12.7% of the population of the district is employed in inductry (including the energy, gas, and water networks), 17.1% are employed in agriculture, 15.9% are employed in education, 12.6% are employed in transport service, and 11.6% are employed in the trade.Transport
Paved roads connect TotmaTotma
Totma is a town and the administrative center of Totemsky District of Vologda Oblast, Russia,, located on the left bank of the Sukhona River at the confluence with the Pesya Denga River. Municipally, it is incorporated as Totemskoe Urban Settlement in Totemsky Municipal District. Population:...
with Vologda
Vologda
Vologda is a city and the administrative, cultural, and scientific center of Vologda Oblast, Russia, located on the Vologda River. The city is a major transport knot of the Northwest of Russia. Vologda is among the Russian cities possessing an especially valuable historical heritage...
via Kadnikov
Kadnikov
Kadnikov is a town in Sokolsky District of Vologda Oblast, Russia,, located on the bank of the Sodima River, southeast of Vologda. Municipally, it is incorporated as Kadnikovskoe Urban Settlement in Sokolsky Municipal District. Population: -History:...
(southwest), Veliky Ustyug
Veliky Ustyug
Veliky Ustyug is a town in the northeast of Vologda Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Sukhona and Yug Rivers. Administratively, it is incorporated as a town of oblast significance . It also serves as the administrative center of Velikoustyugsky District, by which it is completely...
via Nyuksenitsa
Nyuksenitsa
Nyuksenitsa is a rural locality and the administrative center of Nyuksensky District, Vologda Oblast, Russia, located on the left bank of the Sukhona River. It also serves as the administrative center of Beryozovsky and Nyuksensky Selsoviets, two of the eleven selsoviets into which the district...
(northeast), and Nikolsk
Nikolsk, Vologda Oblast
Nikolsk is a town and the administrative center of Nikolsky District of Vologda Oblast, Russia,, located on the right bank of the Yug River close to the point where it flows into the White Sea. Municipally, it is incorporated as Nikolskoye Urban Settlement in Nikolsky Municipal District...
via Imeni Babushkina
Imeni Babushkina
Imeni Babushkina , formerly Ledengskoye is a rural locality and the administrative center of Babushkinsky District, Vologda Oblast, Russia, located on the banks of the Ledenga River. It also serves as the administrative center of Babushkinsky Selsoviet, one of the fifteen selsoviets into which...
(east). Before the road between Totma and Veliky Ustyug along the Sukhona was completed in 2000s, the only connection between the towns was via Nikolsk.
The only railroad in the district is the Monza Railroad, built for timber transport and operated by the timber production authorities, which runs along the border of Vologda and Kostroma Oblasts. The railroad crosses Totemsky District from west to east. The plans to extend it further east to Nikolsk were never realized.
The Sukhona is navigable in the district limits, however, there is no passenger navigation.
Culture and recreation
Totma is a historical town which preserved, along with other heritage, several churches which have all similar structure not related to any other region of Russia. A Totma church is a building on which the church proper is based on one side and the bell-tower on the other side, so that the construction reminds a shipShip
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
. This style is sometimes referred to as Totma barocco.
Totemsky District has a high concentration of historical, archaeological, and architectural monuments. The district contains sixteen objects classified as cultural and historical heritage by Russian Federal law (twelve of them in the town of Totma), and additionally ninety-nine objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local importance (seventy-four of them in Totma). Most of these are churches and chapels located in the area.
The monuments classified as cultural heritage by the federal law are the following:
- The complex of the Resurrection Church and the Assumption Church (1744-1755) in Totma;
- The Nativity Church (1746-1748) in Totma;
- The Trinity Church in Zelenskaya Rybatskaya Sloboda (1768-1772) in Totma;
- The complex of the Church of the Entry into Jerusalem and the Church of St. John the Baptist (1738-1740) in Totma;
- The Kholodilov House (middle of 19th century) in Totma;
- The ensemble of Spaso-Sumorin Monastery (1685-1689) in Totma;
- The city hall of Totma;
- The house where Anatoly Lunacharsky lived in 1903-1904;
- The Pogost in the village of Predtecha (the Nativity Church and the Church of St. John the Baptist). The wooden Church of St. John the Baptist collapsed in 2007;
- The former location of the Totma fortress;
- The Krugletsky burial ground.
Totma hosts five state museums:: The Totma Regional Museum, founded in 1915, The museum of Church Antiquities, the House of Ivan Kuskov, the museum of Sea Explorers (in the building of the Church of the Entry into Jerusalem), and the museum of artifacts in Spaso-Sumorin Monastery. There is also a museum in the village of Tsaryova, which shows ethnographic collections.
A Russian poet, Nikolay Rubtsov
Nikolay Rubtsov
Nikolay Mikhaylovich Rubtsov was a Russian poet.He was killed by the woman with whom he spent the last one and a half years of his life.Asteroid 4286 Rubtsov was named after him.-External links:* *...
, spent eight years, from 1942 (age of 6) to 1950, in an orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
in the selo of Nikolskoye of Totemsky District. He then moved to Totma, where in 1952 he graduated from a college and left the town.