Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk (Russian: Красноя́рск kruhz-nah-YAHRSK) is a city in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia.

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Krasnoyarsk has a population of over 1 million people. It is known for its beautiful nature nearby. However, the city sits in a mountainous basin and, when the wind isn’t blowing, dangerous benzopyrene emissions from its aluminum smelter and power station result in black smog over the city.

The Kacha River flows through the city before joining the Yenisey at the Strelka – the historical center of the city. The Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric dam, 20 km upstream, significantly influences the local climate; normally the river would freeze over in the bitterly-cold Siberian winter, but because the dam releases unfrozen water year-round, the river never freezes in the 200 km (120 mi) to 300 km (190 mi) stretch of river immediately downstream.

The city was founded in 1628 as a fort on the confluence of the two rivers. It was originally called Krasny Yar, meaning “Red Steep Bank”.

Many political exiles, including 8 Decembrists, were banished to Krasnoyarsk. The city was also an administrative center for the gulags.

Krasnoyarsk grew significantly during World War II, since industrial facilities were moved eastward to escape the war. After the fall of the Soviet Union, ownership of these facilities was transferred to oligarchs, and unemployment rose significantly.

The economy of the city is dependent upon its aluminum production facilities.

The famous 2005 Russian war film The 9th Company, directed by Fedor Bondarchuk and set during the Soviet War in Afghanistan, reputedly a favorite of president Vladimir Putin, has its story beginning at Krasnoyarsk.

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