District of Veliky Ustyug

General Information

Geography:

Location: north - east of the Vologda Oblast

Border regions: Arkhangelsk Region, Kirov Region

Total area: 7.700 sq km

Area - comparative: the oblast's 5th largest district

Population:

Total: 65.200

Administrative centre: Veliky Ustyug

District centre population: 33.400

Foundation: beginning of the 12th century

Distance: 445 km away from Vologda, 600 km from Cherepovets, 700 km from Arkhangelsk

Administrative division: 21 administrative areas

Transportation: a railway station (branch Konosha-Vorkuta), an airport, a pier

Renowned residents: explorers and navigators Vladimir Atlasov, Semyon Dezhnyov, Erophei Khabarov, Mikhail Buldakov and Vasily Shilov, Russian seaman Sergei Preminin, who prevented the world from a nuclear catastrophe, founding father of northern gardening Vladimir Spirin

History. Veliky Ustyug was founded in 1147. The network of navigable rivers connecting Ustyug with Kholmogory, Arkhangelsk and Pomoriye (along the Dvina), with Vologda, Yaroslavl and Moscow (along the Sukhona), with Vetluga, Vyatka and Kazan (along the Yug and the Luza), with Mezen and Pechora (along the Vychegda) was a major transportation route in the north of Russia in the 16th century. It is not by chance that the old coat of arms of Ustyug did justice to Aquarius, the master and patron of the town. Breaking away from the jugs the strained streams merge into a torrent. The streams symbolize the Sukhona and the Yug, and the torrent - the Northern Dvina. In the 17th century the town was awarded the status of "Veliky" (Great) for its special services in boosting trade. Stone building was quite characteristic of that era. Early in the 20th century divine sevices were held in 27 churches and 4 monasteries.

Since 1708 Veliky Ustyug belonged to the Arkhangelsk gubernia and had the status of a provincial town. In 1780 the town went to Vologda again with the status of a regional town.

Such outstanding explorers and navigators as Semyon Dezhnyov, Erophei Khabarov, Mikhail Buldakov and Vasily Shilov glorified Veliky Ustyug. The residents of the city are remembered for Siberia exploration and exploration of the islands in the Pacific Ocean. They were the first ones to discover new lands in Russian America and to circumnavigate the world.

Main enterprises:

1. Veliky Ustyug alcoholic beverage company
2. AO SEVERLYON (natural linen cloth)
3. Plywood company NOVATOR (veneer and plywood production)
4. Novatorsky forestry (timber felling and processing, souvenirs)
5. Brush-producing factory (paint-brushes, brushes made of natural and artificial fibre)
6. Company SEVERNAYA CHERN (niello, jewellery)
7. AO GALANTEREYA (haberdashery - balls, bags)
8. PCHYOLKA (baking of bread, processing of livestock products)
9. AO USTYUGMOLOKO (dairy products)
10. Wood processing enterprises

The industrial sector producing consumer goods is dominated by nonproductive sphere (64%). In the branch structure, light industry takes a dominating position (47%).

Agriculture products: cereals, potatoes, livestock products (milk and dairy produce, meat, eggs, poultry)

Consumer market: the share of foodstuffs in the commodity turnover makes up about 53%.

Education. 42 secondary schools, 51 kindergartens, several vocational and professional schools function on the territory of the district of Veliky Ustyug. The total number of all those who study makes up more than 11,700 people. There is a teacher's training college, medical and agricultural schools, a college of inland water transport and a motor college. They give an opportunity to acquire a secondary education and almost any profession, which might be in demand here. Nor have the traditions been forgotten. In Veliky Ustyug, a vocational school trains restorers and renovators.

International links and tourism. The district of Veliky Ustyug is a picturesque and original land at the confluence of two large rivers the Sukhona and the Yug which merge into a third - the Northern Dvina. Blue water expanses, green fields and coppices, pine and mixed forests create good conditions for tourism and rest. Since 1998 the project Veliky Ustyug - Hometown of Russian Father Frost has been implemented in the district. The residence of Father Frost is situated 15 km off the town of Veliky Ustyug in a pine forest. It consists not only of the stately home of Father Frost, but also of comfortable timbered cottages, a restaurant, a recreation centre with a sauna, a swimming pool and a billiard room.

Veliky Ustyug has become home to a town residence of Father Frost, his post office and a souvenir shop. There are seven tourist agencies in the town, the biggest are AO DED MOROZ (Father Frost) and AO VOTCHINA OF FATHER FROST. In developing of inter-regional ties the main emphasis is placed on fair activity. Every year two fairs are held in Veliky Ustyug.

Culture. A great amount of libraries, clubs and a museum - preserve represent the national culture, folk trade and history of the district of Veliky Ustyug.