The most northern city of Russia - Pevek

Russia is not in vain considered a northern country. Russia is the only country where about one and a half million inhabitants live in the Arctic Circle .

At the 70th parallel (69 ° 42'00 "N, 170 ° 19'00" E) is the most northern city of Russia - the port of Pevek, the administrative center of Chaun-Chukotka, the northernmost municipal district of the Chukchi Peninsula.

The development of the North

The development of the Far North and the Arctic region occurs with a wave-like intensity, depending on the political and economic situation in the country. The regions of the north of Russia are becoming a place of increased public interest, where financial resources are invested and human resources are actively attracted, then they come to desolation.

Since the XVIII century, the northern extremity of the Russian Empire has been studied by specialists from different sectors, which brings understanding by the state authorities of the importance of this region, the realization of the enormous economic potential that it contains.

The Soviet stage

The Northern Sea Route, as the shortest path from one ocean to another, and the deposits of natural resources hidden in the northern land, are only two weighty reasons for the development of the region.

This was especially clearly realized by Stalin, it was with him that the Soviet Arctic became a legendary concept, thousands of young enthusiasts joined in his development, and the map of the north of Russia was enriched by ports on the Arctic Ocean coast, began to replenish with new plants and mines. Around them, new cities and towns were formed. This is how Pevek emerged - the northernmost city of Russia. In addition, a new way of attracting human resources was invented, albeit monstrously unjust - the GULAG originated.

Birth of Pevek

The indigenous indigenous population refused to settle in the Chaun Bay area, at the foot of the Paekinay hill. The name of the mountain, from which the name of the future city was formed, contained the reason for this attitude of the Chukchi to this place. According to legend, there was a terrible battle between the two tribes, after which for a long time a monstrous cadaveric smell was heard. Paekinay is a "smelly mountain". More reindeer herders were frightened off by strong winds that periodically brought snow and sand from the south.

The first serious settlement was formed on the bank of the Pevek Strait in 1933. Already by the beginning of the war, from here, through the seaport and the airfield, the export of tin, mercury and other rare metals to the big land was discovered, the reserves of which were of industrial importance were discovered nearby. It is Chaunlagu and Chaunukotlagu, as part of the Far Eastern branch of the Gulag, due to its rapid growth in the 30-40's the most northern city of Russia. Soon, the development of uranium and gold, which were also conducted by the forces of prisoners, were added.

City status

April 6, 1967 issued a decree of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, and Pevek changed the status of a working village of a more urban type , and the list of Russian cities was introduced the name of the regional center in the north of Chukotka.

The time of its highest flowering has begun. Pevek has acquired the glory of the most progressive and rapidly developing city of the northern region of Russia. Gradually the population reached the figure of 12,500, reliable multi-storey houses were built in the city , urban infrastructure was established, active cultural and social life was conducted.

Climatic features

The natural conditions in which the most northern city of Russia arose and exists, give life to the inhabitants of Pevek its own specifics and color. They have to take into account, except for the general lack of heat and sunlight for the northerners, the offensive of the period when a strong wind called the southerner blows from the surrounding hills towards the sea.

Gusts of wind, usually carrying masses of snow, quickly reach enormous strength, capable of demolishing loose structures and light vehicles. The development of multi-storey buildings provided for the formation of protected, windless zones, but it is impossible to completely exclude the negative impact of the southerner, since trees that can survive in these harsh places and are able to protect the city do not.

But there is a spring in the north. For a short time comes the long-awaited warmth and sun, the tundra is covered with a flowering carpet, among which are daisies. Later ripen berries, mushrooms, the northerners have the opportunity to engage in an interesting and useful business - the collection of wild plants.

Pevek today

According to the recent census in the city there are only about 5 thousand inhabitants. A lot of houses are empty and destroyed, Pevek's surrounding mining enterprises are switching to a rotational method of organizing work, the settlements around are becoming less and less.

The last trend reflects the entire vast map of the north of Russia. Heavy working and living conditions discourage the modern man. He is ready to change the comfortable conditions in a temperate climatic zone to an extreme life under the Northern Lights only if there is a serious compensation, the most understandable and significant of which is considered material. While the incomes of those working in the regions of the Far North will not level out the severity of living conditions, cities such as Pevek will not be able to reach the level worthy of the 21st century.

It seems that over time the state will pay attention to those places where, among other things, natural originality and ecological purity remain. These are vast spaces of the Russian North, Siberia and the Far East.