Krasnoyarsk facts for kids

For other uses, see Krasnoyarsk (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Krasnoyarsk (English) Красноярск (Russian)
- City -
[[File: \|250px]] Top to bottom, left to right: Krasnoyarsk along the Yenisey River, Krasnoyarsk at dusk, Krasnoyarsk railway station, Annunciation Cathedral, Krasnoyarsk Krai government building

Coat of arms	Flag
Anthem	Anthem of Krasnoyarsk
City Day	Second Sunday of June
Administrative status
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Krasnoyarsk Krai
Administratively subordinated to	krai city of Krasnoyarsk
Municipal status
Urban okrug	Krasnoyarsk Urban Okrug
Head	Vladislav Loginov
Representative body	Krasnoyarsk City Council of Deputies
Statistics
Area	348 km² (134 sq mi)
Population (2021 est.)	1 187 771 inhabitants
Density	^{[convert: invalid number]}
Time zone	KRAT (UTC+08:00)
Founded	August 19, 1628
City status since	1690
Postal code(s)	660000, 660001, 660003–660005, 660006, 660009–660023, 660025, 660027, 660028, 660030–660032, 660036, 660037, 660041–660043, 660046–660050, 660052, 660054–660056, 660058–660062, 660064, 660067–660069, 660071, 660073–660075, 660077–660079, 660091–660095, 660097–660100, 660113, 660115, 660118, 660119, 660121–660127, 660130–660133, 660135, 660136, 660880, 660890, 660899, 660911–660946, 660960–660966, 660970, 660999, 901175, 901177, 901179, 901181, 993600
Dialing code(s)	+7 391
Official website: http://www.admkrsk.ru

Krasnoyarsk is a large city in Russia. It is the main city of Krasnoyarsk Krai. The city sits along the Yenisey River. It is the second-biggest city in Siberia, after Novosibirsk. Over 1.1 million people live here.

Krasnoyarsk is a key stop on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. It is also a major producer of aluminium in Russia. The city is known for its beautiful natural landscape. The writer Anton Chekhov once said Krasnoyarsk was the most beautiful city in Siberia. The Stolby Nature Sanctuary is a special nature park just 10 km south of the city. Krasnoyarsk is also an important place for learning in Siberia, home to the Siberian Federal University. In 2019, Krasnoyarsk hosted the 2019 Winter Universiade, a big international sports event.

City Name: What Does Krasnoyarsk Mean?

The fort was first called Krasny Yar. This name came from the local Yarin (a Khakas dialect) name, Kyzyl Char. This means 'red steep-riverbank'. The Russian name "Krasny Yar" translates to "Red Steep Bank".

Krasnoyarsk History: From Fort to Modern City

Monument in the Trinity Cemetery to the Czecho-Slovak Legion, who controlled the Trans-Siberian Railway during the Russian Civil War

Krasnoyarsk was founded on August 19, 1628. It started as a Russian border fort. A group of soldiers from Yeniseysk, led by Andrey Dubenskiy, built it. They chose a spot where the Kacha and Yenisei Rivers meet. The fort was built to protect the area from attacks by local people.

The soldiers wrote to Tsar Michael I, saying they had built a strong fort with log buildings. In 1690, the settlement officially became a town. Krasnoyarsk grew quickly when the Siberian Route (a major road) arrived between 1735 and 1741. This road connected Krasnoyarsk to other towns and to the rest of Russia.

Discoveries and Growth

In 1749, a huge meteorite, weighing about 700 kg, was found south of Krasnoyarsk. Peter Simon Pallas studied it in 1772. This Krasnoyarsk meteorite was the first of its kind (a pallasite) ever studied.

In 1822, Krasnoyarsk became the main city of the Yeniseysk Governorate. By the late 1800s, it had many factories and workshops. The discovery of gold and the arrival of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1895 helped the city grow even more.

Krasnoyarsk was a place where political exiles were sent during the Russian Empire. For example, eight Decembrists were sent here after their revolt failed.

Krasnoyarsk in the 20th Century

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, during the Russian Civil War, the city came under Bolsheviks control. A prisoner of war camp for German and Austrian soldiers was located near the city.

During the Five Year Plans in the Soviet era, many large factories were built in Krasnoyarsk. These included a dock yard, a paper factory, and the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station. This power station is now the second largest in Russia.

In 1934, Krasnoyarsk Krai was created, with Krasnoyarsk as its main city. During the time of Joseph Stalin, Krasnoyarsk was a major center for the gulag system, which were labor camps.

During World War II, many factories from other parts of Russia were moved to Krasnoyarsk. This helped the city's industries grow. After the war, more large plants were built, like the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Plant.

In the late 1970s, the Soviet Union started building a radar station near Krasnoyarsk. This station went against an international agreement. The United States asked for it to be removed, and the Soviet Union finally agreed in 1989.

After the Soviet Union broke apart, many large factories became privately owned. The city's economy changed a lot, leading to job losses and strikes.

Since Pyotr Pimashkov became mayor in 1996, the city has improved. Old buildings were fixed, and new parks and fountains were built. The city now looks much better than it did after the Soviet Union ended.

Krasnoyarsk Geography and Nature

Aerial view of Krasnoyarsk

The city of Krasnoyarsk, including its suburbs and the river, covers about 348 square kilometers.

The Yenisei River flows through the city from west to east. Because of the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric dam 32 km upstream, the Yenisei River never freezes in winter. Its temperature in summer never goes above 14 °C. The city center is 136 meters above sea level. There are islands in the river, like Tatyshev and Otdyha Isles, which are used for fun activities.

To the south and west, Krasnoyarsk is surrounded by mountains covered in forests. These mountains are about 410 meters higher than the river. Famous mountains include Nikolayevskaya Sopka (known for its ski jumping tracks) and Karaulnaya Gora. Chornaya Sopka is an extinct volcano. The huge rock cliffs of the Stolby Nature Reserve are found in the mountains south of the Yenisei.

The main rivers in and near Krasnoyarsk are the Yenisei, Mana, Bazaikha, and Kacha Rivers. The Kacha River flows through the old part of the city. There are not many natural lakes nearby because of the hilly land.

The forests near the city are mostly pine and birch trees. Further away, aspen trees are common. In the mountains to the west, you can find fir and Siberian pine trees.

City Government and Divisions

Krasnoyarsk is the main administrative center of the krai (a type of region in Russia). It is considered a "krai city," which means it has the same status as a district. It also includes a small village called Peschanka. As a local government area, it is known as the Krasnoyarsk Urban Okrug.

City Districts

For administrative reasons, Krasnoyarsk is split into seven city districts:

Kirovsky
Leninsky
Oktyabrsky
Sovetsky
Sverdlovsky
Tsentralny
Zheleznodorozhny

Krasnoyarsk Coat of Arms

The Krasnoyarsk Lion

The first coat of arms for Krasnoyarsk was approved in 1804. It showed the coat of arms of Tomsk Governorate at the top and the Krasny Yar cliff at the bottom.

A new coat of arms was approved in 1851. It featured a golden lion on a red shield. The lion held a spade in its right paw and a sickle in its left paw. The shield had the golden crown of the Russian Empire on top.

The current coat of arms was approved in 2004. It still has the red shield and lion from 1851, but the lion's image is slightly different. The shield is topped with a golden crown that shows its status as a major city.

Krasnoyarsk Climate

Krasnoyarsk has a humid continental climate. This means it has big differences between summer and winter temperatures. Its climate is similar to cities like Winnipeg in Canada.

Summers in Krasnoyarsk are warmer than in many other places at the same latitude. However, its winters are much colder and longer.

Climate data for Krasnoyarsk (1991–2020, extremes 1891–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	6.0 (42.8)	8.5 (47.3)	18.5 (65.3)	31.4 (88.5)	34.0 (93.2)	37.2 (99.0)	36.4 (97.5)	35.1 (95.2)	31.3 (88.3)	24.5 (76.1)	13.6 (56.5)	8.6 (47.5)	37.2 (99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−11.6 (11.1)	−7.5 (18.5)	0.7 (33.3)	9.3 (48.7)	17.1 (62.8)	23.5 (74.3)	25.2 (77.4)	22.2 (72.0)	14.6 (58.3)	6.7 (44.1)	−3.6 (25.5)	−9.3 (15.3)	7.3 (45.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−15.6 (3.9)	−12.3 (9.9)	−4.9 (23.2)	3.4 (38.1)	10.4 (50.7)	16.9 (62.4)	19.1 (66.4)	16.1 (61.0)	9.1 (48.4)	2.3 (36.1)	−7.3 (18.9)	−13.2 (8.2)	2.0 (35.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−19.2 (−2.6)	−16.3 (2.7)	−9.4 (15.1)	−1.4 (29.5)	4.7 (40.5)	11.1 (52.0)	13.7 (56.7)	11.2 (52.2)	5.0 (41.0)	−1.3 (29.7)	−10.7 (12.7)	−16.9 (1.6)	−2.5 (27.5)
Record low °C (°F)	−52.8 (−63.0)	−41.6 (−42.9)	−38.7 (−37.7)	−25.7 (−14.3)	−11.2 (11.8)	−3.6 (25.5)	3.3 (37.9)	−1.0 (30.2)	−9.6 (14.7)	−25.1 (−13.2)	−42.3 (−44.1)	−47.0 (−52.6)	−52.8 (−63.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	17 (0.7)	15 (0.6)	19 (0.7)	29 (1.1)	48 (1.9)	66 (2.6)	70 (2.8)	76 (3.0)	55 (2.2)	42 (1.7)	39 (1.5)	31 (1.2)	507 (20.0)
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches)	16 (6.3)	16 (6.3)	13 (5.1)	3 (1.2)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	2 (0.8)	7 (2.8)	14 (5.5)	16 (6.3)
Average rainy days	0.3	0.4	2	9	17	19	18	18	19	13	4	0.3	120
Average snowy days	24	21	17	14	4	0.1	0	0.03	2	14	23	25	144
Average relative humidity (%)	73	70	64	58	54	64	72	76	75	71	74	73	69
Mean monthly sunshine hours	63	100	171	216	251	280	281	237	160	111	58	41	1,969
Source 1: Pogoda.ru.net
Source 2: NOAA (sun only 1961–1990)

Krasnoyarsk Population and People

Population chart (1855–2012)

As of 2021, Krasnoyarsk has a population of over 1.1 million people.

Here's how the population is spread across the city's districts (2010 Census):

Kirovsky: 114,715
Leninsky: 145,530
Oktyabrsky: 153,112
Sovetsky: 281,284
Sverdlovsky: 130,596
Tsentralny: 55,060
Zheleznodorozhny: 93,529

Most people in Krasnoyarsk are Russians. There are also many people from Central Asia and the Caucasus, like Tajiks and Kyrgyz. They often come to find work. There is also a large Chinese community. Many Chinese traders work at special markets like Sodruzhestvo and the Chinese Trading Town.

Here is the ethnic makeup of Krasnoyarsk, based on the 2021 Census:

Ethnic group	Population	Percentage
Russians	948,949	94.2%
Tajiks	9,057	0.9%
Kyrgyz	8,954	0.9%
Uzbeks	5,577	0.6%
Tatars	4,855	0.5%
Armenians	4,727	0.5%
Azerbaijanis	4,452	0.4%
Other	20,575	2.0%

Krasnoyarsk Architecture and Landmarks

The Intercession church in Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk has many old and interesting buildings. The oldest is the Intercession Cathedral, built between 1785 and 1795. Other important Orthodox churches include the Annunciation Cathedral (1802–12) and the Holy Trinity Cathedral (1802–12).

On top of Karaulnaya Hill, you can find the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel. It was built in 1804 and rebuilt in 1854–55. This chapel is shown on the 10-ruble note and is a famous symbol of the city.

Shopping center "Optima"

Another well-known symbol is an unfinished 24-story tower at Strelka. Its construction stopped many years ago, but its shape can be seen from many parts of the city.

A bridge near Krasnoyarsk carries the Trans-Siberian Railway over the Yenisei. The first bridge was built between 1893 and 1896. It was one of the longest bridges at that time.

Other notable buildings include the mansions of merchant Nikolay Gadalov (early 1900s), the Roman Catholic Transfiguration Chapel (1911), and the Krasnoyarsk Krai Museum, which looks like an Ancient Egyptian temple. There is also the Krasnoyarsk Cultural/Historical Center and a triumphal arch at the Spit (2003).

Many two-story wooden houses built in the mid-1900s can still be seen. Some villages within the city still have traditional Russian wooden houses with backyards.

Krasnoyarsk Culture and Events

Krasnoyarsk celebrates several local holidays each year. The biggest is the Day of the City, held in June, often with a carnival.

Other cultural events include:

The Mana Festival, held on the bank of the Mana River in late June. It features a traditional bard (singer-songwriter) contest.
The International Museum Biennale at the Krasnoyarsk Cultural/Historical Center.
The Museum Night festival, celebrating International Museum Day (May 18).
The Jazz on Yenisey festival.
The Stolbist Day, celebrating the traditions of mountain climbing in the Stolby national park.
The Bikers' Rally for motorcycle fans.

Krasnoyarsk has many local television companies and good telecommunications. Many parts of the city have fast Internet access. The city is also home to the Krasnoyarsk Children's Choir, famous worldwide as The Little Eagles of Siberia.

Education and Science in Krasnoyarsk

Siberian Arts institute

Krasnoyarsk is a major center for science and education in Siberia, similar to Novosibirsk. It has over 30 higher education schools, many of which are part of the Russian Academy of Science. There are also about 200 high schools.

Some of the most important higher education institutes are:

Siberian Federal University (SFU), started in 2006. It brought together four large universities.
Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University (KGPU), founded in 1932.
Siberian State Technological University (SibGTU), the oldest in the city, founded in 1930.
Siberian State Aerospace University (SibGAU), founded in 1960.
Krasnoyarsk State Medical University (KrasGMU), founded in 1942.
Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University (Krasnoyarsk GAU), founded in 1952.

Like Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk has a special area called Akademgorodok ("Academic Town"). This is where several scientific research institutes are located. The Institute of Biophysics in Krasnoyarsk is known for a long experiment (1973–1985) on how humans live in isolation (the "Bios Experiment"). The Sukachev Institute of Forest is also here.

Krasnoyarsk has several museums. The Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum has historical items and exhibits about the region, including ancient history and native Siberians. The Krasnoyarsk zoo is also a popular place for both locals and visitors.

Krasnoyarsk Transportation

Tram in Krasnoyarsk

Public Transport

Buses are the most common way to get around the city. There are also several trolleybus and tram routes. An underground metro system was planned and started construction decades ago, but it was stopped in 2008.

Railway Travel

Krasnoyarsk rail station

Krasnoyarsk is located on the Yenisei River and has always been an important stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Krasnoyarsk-Passazhirsky is the main train station. Long-distance trains on the Trans-Siberian Railway stop here. There are also local train stations and a goods station called Krasnoyarsk-East.

Airports

Krasnoyarsk has two airports. Yemelyanovo Airport is the main one. It handles flights within Russia and international flights. It is 27 km northwest of the city. The smaller Cheremshanka Airport used to handle shorter flights. In 2011, a fire destroyed its terminal building and control tower.

Krasnoyarsk Tourism and Attractions

The most popular place for tourists in Krasnoyarsk is the huge national nature reserve called Stolby ("pillars"). It covers 470 square kilometers and has many giant granite rock formations, some up to 100 meters high. These rocks have very unusual shapes. Stolby is also a popular spot for rock climbing. Many local climbers do not use safety equipment, calling their extreme sport stolbizm, which is also known as solo climbing.

Other popular places to visit include the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Station dam, the Karaulnaya Gora hill with the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel, museums, and theaters.

Krasnoyarsk Sports

Krasnoyarsk is a major sports center in Siberia. The city is especially good at rugby union, bandy, and freestyle wrestling.

The Yenisey bandy team won the Soviet bandy championships every year in the 1980s. They also won Russian titles in 2001, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Bandy was a demonstration sport at the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk. A new indoor stadium was built for this event.

Krasnoyarsk is known as a stronghold for rugby union in Russia. Two local clubs, Krasny Yar and Enisey-STM, play in the national Professional Rugby League and the European Rugby Challenge Cup. Rugby matches are very popular, and the city derby (a match between the two local teams) can attract thousands of fans. Many players on the Russian national rugby team come from Krasnoyarsk. Some international rugby matches are played at the Central Stadium.

Club	Sport	Founded	Current League	League Rank	Stadium
Yenisey Krasnoyarsk	Football	1937	Russian Premier League	2nd	Central Stadium
Sokol Krasnoyarsk	Ice Hockey	1977	Higher Hockey League	2nd	Arena Sever
Yenisey Krasnoyarsk	Bandy	1934	Bandy Super League	1st	Yenisey Stadium
BC Enisey	Basketball	1993	VTB United League	1st	Arena Sever
Krasny Yar	Rugby Union	1969	Professional Rugby League	1st	Krasny Yar Stadium
Enisey-STM	Rugby Union	1975	Professional Rugby League	1st	Avangard Stadium
Yenisey Krasnoyarsk	Volleyball	1992	Women's Volleyball Super League	1st	Dvorkin Sports House
Yenisey Krasnoyarsk	Volleyball	1993	Volleyball Supreme League A	2nd	Dvorkin Sports House

Alexander Semin, a former ice hockey player for the Carolina Hurricanes, is from Krasnoyarsk. The city also hosts the international wrestling tournament named after Ivan Yarygin.