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The capital city of Arkhangelsk oblast: Arkhangelsk.
Arkhangelsk oblast (also spelled Arkhangelskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of North-West Federal District. The administrative center and capital city is Arkhangelsk. The region includes large Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya islands.
Arkhangelsk oblast has the population of about 1,255,000 (2010). The territory of the region is 589,900 sq. km.
Arkhangelsk province is located in the north of East-European lowland. The region is washed by White, Barents, Pechora and Karsky Seas. Due to arctic seas and because this territory of Russia is far from warm Gulf Stream, the climate is of continental type, in the north-west - of sea type, in the north-east - of sub-arctic type, that is cool summers and long cold winters.
The cape Fligel (the farthest northern point in Russia and Europe) and cape Zhelaniya (the farthest eastern point in Europe) are located on the territory of Arkhangelsk oblast.
The weather of the region is very changeable. The average temperature in January is 12-18 degs C below zero, in July - from 16 in the south to 8-10 degs C above zero in the north.
Arkhangelsk region borders on Kirov and Vologda oblasts, Karelia Republic, Komi Republic and the White Sea. The Barents Sea area is highly populated by Polar bears. The largest cities and towns of the region are Arkhangelsk (about 350,000), Severodvinsk (193,000), Kotlas (60,000), Koryazhma (43,000), Novodvinsk (42,000).
During the Viking times the territory of Arkhangelsk oblast was known as Biamiya. In 17th century it became the part of Novgorod Republic land. From ancient times these places were inhabited by Pomors beside aboriginal peoples.
In the second half of 15th century Novgorod lands became a part of Moscow state. In 1584 Arkhangelsk settlement was founded on cape Purnavolok. Till the end of 17th century Arkhangelsk remained the main port of Moscow state. About 80 per cent of foreign trade turnover was made via Arkhangelsk, bread, hemp, timber, resin, furs and other products were exported from here. The importance of Arkhangelsk grew during Peter I who founded shipbuilding here.
In early 18th century the current territory of the province was a part of huge Arkhangelogorodskaya gubernia, and then till 1784 - a part of Vologodskoye region ruled by governor-general. In 1796 it became Arkhangelsk gubernia.
For a long time only timber and wood processing industries were developed in the province, products were mainly exported. Fishing and hunting were weakly developed. Up to the end of 1920s most of the territory of current province was a part of Arkhangelsk gubernia.
On January 14th, 1929, Arkhangelskaya, Vologodskaya and Severo-Dvinskaya gubernias formed Severny (Northern) krai. On July 15th, 1929, Nenets national okrug (at present Nenets autonomous okrug) was formed in the Severny krai. After Komi ASSR was formed on December 5th, 1936, the Severny krai was reformed into Severnaya oblast which was divided afterwards into Arkhangelsk and Vologda oblasts on September 23rd, 1937.
In 20th century Arkhangelsk oblast turned into industrially developed region: pulp and paper industry appeared as well as fishing, flax growing and processing, military industries (space-vehicle launching site at Plesetsk, atomic ship-building in Severodvinsk, nuclear ground on Novaya Zemlya Island). Powerful timber industry was reconstructed and newly built.
Today Arkhangelsk oblast is one of industrial regions of Russia. In Russia it outstands in developed timber industry, shipbuilding and fishing.
The historical centers of Arkhangelsk oblast of Russia are Kargopol, Kholmogory and Solvychegodsk settlements. You can find medieval wooden chapels there. Another well-known place of the region is the area of Solovetsky Islands located in the White Sea. Solovetsky Islands are a World Heritage Site now.
Severodvinsk city located in Arkhangelsk oblast is one of the Russian Navy bases (mostly nuclear submarines). Russian spaceport Plesetsk is situated in Arkhangelsk oblast. There are another two spaceports in Russia in Kapustin Yar (Astrakhan oblast) and Svobodny (Amur oblast).
Arkhangelsk oblast, Russia nature
Arkhangelsk oblast, Russia lake
Arhangelsk oblast, Russia river
Arkhangelsk region, Russia view
Arkhangelsk region, Russia forest
Arhangelsk region, Russia scenery
Arkhangelskaya oblast winter view
Arkhangelsk Russia oblast landscape
Arkhangelsk Russia region church
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