Blagoveschensk city overview
Blagoveschensk city (other spellings are Blagoveshensk, Blagovescensk, Blagoveshchensk) is the capital and administrative center of Amur oblast of Russia.
Blagoveschensk city is situated on the left bank of Amur river on the border with China. Blagoveschensk city is the only administrative center of Russia that is located on the state border.
Blagoveschensk city population is about 207,000 (2008) on the land area of 353 sq. km.
The phone code of the city is +7-4162 and the postal codes are 675000-675999.
Blagoveschensk city history
In 1644 first Russian settlers moved to the area and founded their settlement. Russian military outpost was founded later in 1856. The city received its name “Blagoveschensk” after the parish church of Annunciation (Blagoveshchenie in Russian).
Blagoveschensk town was growing fast in the beginning of 20th century because of gold rush. Also Blagoveschensk city had favorable position situated on the Chinese-Russian border (about hundreds of meters opposite the Heihe city).
In 1900 numerous Chinese insurgents shelled Blagoveschensk as a result of the Boxer Rebellion. The Orthodox tradition says that Blagoveschensk city was saved by icon of Our Lady of Albazin.
In response Russian police forces aided by Cossacks drove away Chinese ethnic community from Russian bank of Amur River to Chinese bank. Thousands of civilians drowned in Amur river or were shot.
Blagoveschensk city facts
At present Russian Blagoveschensk and Chinese Heihe cities form a free-trade zone. Blagoveschensk city Chinese community is one of the largest in Russia. The community helps Chinese to legalize in Russia. It also builds a lot of new buildings for various customers.
Blagoveschensk city suburb “Severny” offers low-price habitation for city newcomers. Blagoveschensk State Pedagogical University and Amur State University are situated in Blagoveschensk city of Russia.
