Salekhard city, Russia (Salehard)

The capital city of Yamalo-Nenets okrug.

Salekhard city overview

Salekhard (also spelled Salehard) is a city in Russia, an administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets autonomous okrug, one of few Russian administrative centers which is less than other cities of the okrug in both population and industrial output.

Salekhard is the fourth city in the okrug after Novy Urengoy, Noyabrsk, Nadym judging by its size, the only city in the world located on the latitude of Northern Polar Circle.

Salekhard city population is about 43,000.

The phone code of the city - +7 34922; postal code - 629000.

Salekhard city flag

Salekhard city flag

Salekhard city coat of arms

Salekhard city coat of arms

Salekhard city map, Russia


Salekhard city history

Salekhard was founded in 1595 and was called Obdorskaya fortress (on Komi people language “near the Ob”). In 1635 the first inhabitants came to the settlement. In 1807 the fortifications were pulled down. Obdorsk became a town and till the end of 1923 remained the center of Obdorskaya volost, Beruozovski uyezd, Tobolskaya gubernia.

On November 3rd, 1923, Obdorsk became the center of Obdorsky district, Uralskaya oblast. On December 10th, 1930, it became the center of Yamal (Nenets) national district. On June 20th, 1933, the settlement received new name - Salekhard (on Nenets people language Sale-Kharad means “settlement on the cape”). On November 27th, 1938, it became a city. Both in Tsar and Soviet Russia it was known as a place of exile.

Salekhard city features

Salekhard city is located on the right bank of the river Polui not far from where it flows into the Ob, 2,436 km from Moscow. About 16 km from Salekhard, on the other bank of the Ob, the town and railway station Labytnangi is located.

The city is connected by ferry across the Ob River (in summer) and ice road (in winter) with the railway station Labytnanga. By 2012 the bridge across the Ob will be constructed, it will connect Salekhard and Labytnanga.

There is a river port in the city (boats to Khanty-Mansiysk, Omsk and small settlements on the banks of the Ob inlet). There is also an airport in Salekhard.

There is a fish canning plant, milk-processing plant, a plant of construction materials, wood-processing base in the city.

Salekhard city of Russia photos

Salekhard city, Russia views

Salekhard city general view

Salekhard city general view

Author: Nikita Panin

Salekhard city view

Salekhard city view

Author: Bjorn Gabrielsen

Salekhard Russia city view

Salekhard Russia city view

Author: Egor Golomidov


Salehard city sceneries

Salehard city scenery

Salehard city scenery

Author: Nikita Panin

Salekhard city scenery

Salekhard city scenery

Author: Egor Golomidov

Salekhard Russia city scenery

Salekhard Russia city scenery

Author: Egor Golomidov


Salekhard city streets

Salekhard city street

Salekhard city street

Author: Egor Golomidov

Salehard city street view

Salehard city street view

Author: Nikita Panin

Salekhard city wooden architecture

Salekhard city wooden architecture

Author: Egor Golomidov


Salekhard city monuments

Salekhard city Lenin monument

Salekhard city Lenin monument

Author: Bjorn Gabrielsen

Salekhard city mosquito monument

Salekhard city mosquito monument

Author: Egor Golomidov


Salekhard city church

Salekhard city church view

Salekhard city church view

Author: Egor Golomidov


The comments of our visitors

Allen C McDonald
Salekhard's beauty
It is truly amazing to see such a beautiful city so far north. I have been an arctic pilot for many years, and have flown over all the Canadian arctic. We have nothing whatsoever like Salekhard. It looks wonderful! If I were younger I would visit, but it must be difficult to get there. Thanks for the beautiful pictures, Allen McDonald.