Urals, Russia
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Urals (also called Ural) is a common geographical name of the area of Russia around the Ural Mountains (between Volga region and Siberia). It is a vast territory which includes major cities like Yekaterinburg, Tyumen, Chelyabinsk and Perm, as well as parts of the polar areas. The main part of this region is the Ural Mountains dividing two parts of the world – Europe and Asia different in natural and economic conditions.
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 Urals, Russia |
Urals region of Russia consists of:
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Urals, Bannoe lake
Economy
Urals is the biggest region in Russia in territorial size and level of economic development. Its territory counts 1 788 900 square kilometers. Its population is more than 12 millions. Having 11% of territory of Russia where 8,5% of population live, Urals produces 16% of gross national product (GNP) and 20% of all industrial production of the country. About 42% of taxes for federal budget are collected here.
Importance of Urals
Urals always has amazed researchers with its great amount of minerals. In the subsoils of the Ural Mountains there are iron and copper ore, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc, coal, oil, gold and gems. Since olden times Urals is the biggest mining and metallurgical base of Russia. The treasures of nature also include forest resources. Urals has famous Virgin Komi Forests, which were included to the World Heritage List.
South and Middle Urals provide conditions for agriculture. This natural region is one of the most important for life of Russian people.
Nature & Climate
Nature of Urals
The Ural mountains are among the oldest mountains on Earth and are generally not very high, more often looking like large hills, though there are some taller ones, too (Narodnaya mounteen — 1895 m, Telposiz mounteen — 1617 m and Yamantau mounteen — 1640 m). Mountains of Middle Urals are lower, usually about 600 – 800 m.
West and east foothills of Urals and neighbor plains often have deep river valleys. Urals has a lot of rivers and lakes. Several hundreds of ponds and water storage basins are created on rivers. The composition of mountains, forests, rivers and lakes makes Urals one of the most beautiful regions in Russia.
Urals has typical mountain climate — precipitation is distributed unevenly not only within subareas, but also within each sub area. West Siberian Plain is a territory with a continental climate, while in mountain regions of West Siberia continental of climate is less. In general we can say that the climate is different as Urals has all the zones.
History
History of Urals origins from the deep past. In Greek books written 2000 years age we can read about far Riphean mountains where gloomy griffins guard countless gold treasures. According to the latest evaluations of archeologists man came to this territory about 500 thousands years ago. First written information about the indigenous population – a Bashkir, Udmurt, Komi, Mansi, Khanty – belong to the IX century.
In Russia there are a lot of legends about the origin of Urals, and among them an entertaining Bashkir legend. Urals in Bashkir translation is a belt. They say long time ago there was a giant who wore a belt with big pockets. He hide there all his treasures. The belt was huge. One day the giant stretched the belt and it lay through all the continent, from the cold Kara Sea on the north to sandy beaches of the southern Caspian Sea, dividing Russia on two parts. This way the Ural Mountains arose.
Russian people came to Urals from the territory of Novgorod in XI century. The active process of colonization of Urals by Russian belongs to XV—XVI centuries, and its to the end of XVII — beginning of XVIII centuries, when first metallurgical plants and ironworks were built. In those times the base of future industrial power was founded. In the next centuries thre region continued to play an unique role in strengthening the military-industrial potential of Russia.
But Urals is famous not only for its industry. A lot of interesting events were happening in its political and cultural life. And a big amount of names of famous people is connected with the past of Urals. Within the most famous in Russia are Ermak, Tatishev, de Genin, Demidovy, Stroganovy, Mamin-Sibiryak, Bazhov and Eltsin, they made a great contribution to economic, political and cultural development of Urals and Russia.
Urals for travelers
Urals offers great possibilities for rest and travels. I composed a small list of what to do and what to see in Urals:
Urals' road
- Europe-Asia Border
- The Ural Mountains (skiing, climbing)
- Virgin Komi Forests
- Cities of Urals: Yekaterinburg – an administrative center of Urals Federal Distinct; Perm – the city situated on the great russian river Kama; Chelyabinsk, Tyumen and others.
- Tyumen hot springs
- Kungur ice cave
- Neviansk falling tower
- Verkhoturye – the orthodox center of Urals
- Arkaim – ancient Slavic city-observatory
- Natural parks and reserves
- Places of mining of gold, gems and minerals
- Outdoor museum of wooden architecture in Sinyachiha
- Rest on the nature of Urals – camping, rafting, fishing, hunting, riding, Russian baths and many other
- Taste traditional Urals and Russian cooking and see folk performances
This list is incomplete because actually it depends on your interests and wishes what to see or to do.
If you are interested in visiting Urals, we are glad to help you to organize your trip and answer on any questions. On our site you can find additional information for travelers, such as accommodation, visa, trip planning, tours offers and vacation packages. You can also ask your question here.
Our travel reports
We like Urals and Russia very much, thus in this blog we will periodically write reports about our trips. I hope they can be useful for those who is planning to visit Urals.
Currently the following reports are available:
Photos of Urals
In conclusion several additional photos of Urals:
 Administrative center of Urals - Yekaterinburg |
 Spring in Urals |
Evening city
Urals in winter
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