Murmansk overview
Murmansk is a city and administrative center of Murmansk oblast of Russia. Murmansk is situated on the eastern coast of Kola peninsula, Barents Sea. It is the largest city in the world located north of Arctic Circle. Murmansk city is one of the largest sea ports of Russia.
Murmansk population is 308,000 (2009). Land area - 154 sq. km.
Murmansk city phone code - +7-8152; postal codes - 183000-183099.
Murmansk economics
Main industries of Murmansk city are as follows: fishing and fish-processing, sea transportation, ship-repairing, sea-, railway- and automobile freight, metal-working, sea geology, geological prospecting on the arctic sea shelf. Main products made in the city are presented by fish products, cans, metal works, fishing equipment, package and packing materials.
Murmansk seaport - one of the largest ice-free ports in Russia - is the basis of the city economics. The Northern seaway begins in Murmansk. Murmansk port is the port of registration of the barque “Sedov”, the largest sailing vessel in the world. All the nuclear icebreakers of Russia are also registered in Murmansk seaport. In May 2007 it was decided to form a free economic area in Murmansk seaport.
Murmansk is located on federal highway “Kola” (M18, St-Petersburg - Norway). Murmansk is also a start of the road to A138 to Norway and P12 to Finland. The airport “Murmansk” is located in the settlement of Murmashi, 24 km from the city. There are flights to Moscow and St.-Petersburg every day as well as a number of flights to other cities of Russia and Norway.
Murmansk views
Murmansk city general view
Author: Dmitry A.Shchukin
Murmansk Russia city view
Author: Dmitry A.Shchukin
Murmansk Russia city scenery
Author: Thomas Fuchs
Murmansk history
Romanov-on-the-Murman town was founded in 1916. It was named after Russian Empire royal dynasty Romanovs and traditional Pomor people name for the Barents Sea - Murman. Romanov-on-the-Murman town was the last founded in Russian Empire.
The town was built to establish North Atlantic supply route to Russian Empire during World War I. In 1917 after the February Revolution the city was renamed to Murmansk.
Murmansk city played an important role as a Russian trade link with the Allies during World War II. Various supplies were brought to Murmansk city by Arctic Convoys. Murmansk city was heavily damaged during the war. In 1985 Murmansk received Hero City status. It was Soviet Union submarine center during the Cold War.
Murmansk features, attractions
Murmansk city sea port is ice-free all the year due to the warm Gulf Stream waters. Murmansk satellite city Severomorsk is an important Russian Navy base.
There are two regional museums in the city: Murmansk regional museum of local study founded in 1926 and Murmansk regional art museum founded in 1989 in one of the oldest stone buildings of Murmansk. There is also North Fleet museum.
Three professional theaters are in action in Murmansk. The regional Puppet show theater opened in 1933 is the oldest one. Murmansk regional drama theater founded in 1939 became the largest one. In 1946 the Northern Fleet drama theater founded in 1936 was moved to Murmansk from Polyarny.
In spite of its young age there are a lot of places of interest in Murmansk. In 3 districts of the city there are over 30 monuments and memorial boards. 2 memorial complexes are the most outstanding: a statue to Soviet Zapolyarye (area to the north of the Arctic Circle) defenders (Murmansk Alyosha) and to sailors perished after the war. Murmansk Alyosha is one of the largest statues in Russia.
Recently built bridges across Kola Bay and the Church Spas-on-water are specific signs of Murmansk city.