Izhevsk city, Russia

The capital city of Udmurt republic.

Izhevsk city overview

Izhevsk is a city in Russia, the capital of Udmurtia Republic. The city is located on the river Izh, 40 km from the Kama River. The climate in Izhevsk is of moderate continental type, with a short warm summer and a long cold winter.

Izhevsk city has the population of about 611,000 (2009) on the territory of 316 sq. km.

The phone code of the city is +7 3412; postal codes are 426000-426999.

Izhevsk city flag

Izhevsk city coat of arms

Izhevsk city map, Russia

Izhevsk city history

In 1760 especially for earl Pyotr Shuvalov an iron-making Izhevsky plant was constructed on the lands of Kazan feudal Tevkelev. Close to it there was a settlement with the same name. The most favorable place for a dam was chosen by an engineer Alexey Moskvin who directed the construction of the plant.

By 1763 the dam was built and Izhevsky pond was laid. On February 20th, 1807, the emperor Alexander I signed a decree on founding a new small arms plant in the Urals. And on July, 10th, 1807, the construction of small arms plant began in the place where the iron-making plant had been. The director of the construction was A.F.Deryabin.

On March, 19th, 1885, mass production of shotguns began, in 1891 - S.I.Mosin rifles. Only in Izhevsk all types of rifles were produced (infantry, dragoon, Cossack, training).

On June 10th, 1921, the capital of Votskaya autonomous oblast was transferred from Glazov to Izhevsk. On December 28th, 1934, Izhevsk became the capital of Udmurtian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

On March 14th, 1937, the Constitution of the UASSR was adopted. In autumn 1941 several military plants were evacuated to Izhevsk. In June, 1942 Izhevsky mechanical plant was founded. During the War the plant-hero produced 12,500,000 shotguns. In 1948 the production of Kalashnikov submachine guns “AK-47” began.

On December 27th, 1984, the Communist leaders renamed the city into Ustinov after Dmitry Ustinov who had been a curator of Izhevsk military industry for a long time. On June 19th, 1987, as a result of numerous citizens’ protests the city was again renamed and got its original name. One of new city districts was named after Ustinov.

On August 5th, 2007, the restored Svyato-Mihailovsky Church was sanctified. The 450th anniversary of Udmurtia joining Russia was marked in 2008.

Izhevsk city industries, transportation

The city is famous in the country and the world by its high-quality steels, developed machine-building: automobiles, motor-bikes, shotguns, tool making, food processing industries.

Izhevsk is connected with its suburbs and other cities in Russia by bus, railway transportation and by air. In Izhevsk there are central bus terminal, bus station “Yuzhnaya” and a train station.

Besides, there are two more railway stations - Zavodskaya and Pozim - they are located in industrial city districts and deal with local trains.