Cities - they are almost like people: they are born, live, age and even die. But, unlike the status of “reasonable man”, the status of a city to a settlement is not assigned forever. So the former cities disappear from the map of Russia, merge with each other, turn into villages or completely cease to exist. Does this fate threaten the smallest cities in Russia?
10. Gorbatov - 1982 population
Our “mini-list” opens with an ancient city, the first mention of which dates back to the 16th century. Located Gorbatov in the Nizhny Novgorod region. From the moment of its existence, it was not large, and its number did not exceed four thousand people.
In recent years, there has been an active outflow of population from Gorbatov, and 2017 was a record year for the city - the population became the lowest in its history.
However, despite the population, Gorbatov is a kind of celebrity in the world of cinema. After all, it was there that Nikita Mikhalkov filmed episodes of The Siberian Barber and Burnt by the Sun 2. And really, what area is better for displaying on a screen a sleepy county town?
9. Primorsk - 1960 inhabitants
Primorsk is located in the Kaliningrad region, on the shores of the Baltic Sea. People have long settled there, so Primorsk is an ancient city. The first mention of it (under the German name) dates back to 1288.
Then the future Primorsk was of great importance, served as the district center and even awarded its own coat of arms, which has survived to this day.
Over the centuries, the city has decreased in size and, since the XVIII century, the number of its inhabitants rarely exceeded a modest two thousand people. Several times they tried to seize the status of Primorsk from the city, but invariably returned it back. Residents do not care about all these disturbances; they both lived in a quiet city with old houses left over from German times, and they live. And the places there are beautiful - one sea is worth it!
8. Island - 1847 people
Before Soviet rule, the city had an unpronounceable name Yokanga, then it was renamed Gremikha. But in fact, these ugly names hid a naval base, from where Russia threatened not only the Swedes, but the entire capitalist Western world.
The latest achievements of military science, such as strategic military missile carriers, were based there. And then, after the collapse of the USSR, they began to store spent nuclear fuel at the base.
Now Ostrovnoy is in a period of decline, but rumor has it that they are going to reanimate the military base. So, Ostrovnoy will come to life as well.
7. Reach - 1796 inhabitants
Let Ples - a small town, but very important. He is the only one of the ten most tiny cities in Russia included in the list of historical settlements of federal significance. And he is famous not even for his antiquity (the first mention of the settlement of people in this place dates back to the 12th century), but for the fact that in the 19th century the famous Russian people of art worked, rested and entertained there.
One of the most fabulous cities in the world has seen many celebrities - from Savrasov to Chaliapin, but most of all he was glorified by Levitan. It was there that he wrote most of his works. Since then, Ples has been firmly associated with the world of art. Every year cinema, music and even sports festivals are held there.
And even if the town’s own population is getting smaller every year (from 4000 inhabitants in the early 90s of the last century it was reduced to 1796 people), it seems that the disappearance of Plyos is not threatened. They will live in him, they will go to him, they will love him.
6. Artyomovsk - 1688 people
This is one of the many mining villages founded in Siberia when valuable metals were found in it. The life of Artyomovsk was given by gold mining at a nearby mine.
It is hard to believe that once this small town was considered a very decent size city. In the 60s and 70s, its number exceeded 10 thousand people. However, something went wrong, and perestroika finally crashed it. Since then, Artemovsk has been slowly dying.
5. Kurilsk - 1591 inhabitants
The city is located on an island in the Pacific Ocean, which changed its owners about once a century, passing from the hands of Russia to the hands of Japan and vice versa. So Xiang, who in the middle of the XIX century became Japanese, after the Second World War became part of the USSR.
So that nothing reminds of the previous owners, the government hastened to get rid of Japanese names, turning Syana into Kurilsk. Of course, no one asked the views of the indigenous people, Ainu; however, by that time they had almost completely disappeared from the face of the Earth. All that remains of them is the occupation that the current population of the city, fishing, is occupied with.
4. Verkhoyansk - 1122 people
This is the northernmost city of the Republic of Yakutia. Historically, in this tiny settlement in white silence exiled unwanted people - revolutionaries, political opponents and other troublemakers.
In addition to the exiled past, Verkhoyansk is also famous for the fact that it is the coldest city in the world. In winter, the temperature in it can reach terrifying any warm-blooded creature values of -67.7 °. It is not surprising that the population of the city never exceeded the figure of 2000 souls.
3. Vysotsk - 1094 inhabitants
From the eastern borders of our homeland we are transported to the north-west, to the Leningrad region. It is there, on the island of the same name in the Gulf of Finland, and the city of Vysotsk is located.
Previously, there was a modest Karelian-Finnish settlement of Uuras, the inhabitants of which were fishing. But after part of the northern territories according to the results of World War II fell into the hands of the USSR, as in the case of Kurilsk, the settlement was renamed Vysotsk.
Now it is a small port town in which part of the border Russian ships is based. After an oil terminal was built near Vysotsk, the population of the city grew by almost a third (from 1,200 to 1,750 people). But it was not possible to exceed the mark of 2,000 inhabitants, especially since in 2010 people began to leave Vysotsk. True, city services are not discouraged, they even plan to build a sports center with the latest science and technology.
2. Chekalin - 914 people
This Russian city, which for a long time held the palm in miniature, has a long and glorious history. Once he served on the front line, entered the defensive line against the Kazan Khanate. Then it was a thriving shopping center, living through the flow of goods along the Oka River. Then the river became shallow, and the railway tracks - a new trade artery - bypassed the city. So Chekalin (then still the former Likhvin) began to lose people until he reached the current sad state.
Chekalins themselves categorically do not want to lose the status of urban residents. They were not seduced even by the generous promises of the district administration, which offered the townspeople a reduction in utility tariffs, as well as various bonus payments.
No, the residents of Chekalin are even ready to suffer material damage, but to defend their city. Well, such love for one’s place of residence can only be envied. Perhaps tourism will breathe new life into the city. After all, the places there are beautiful, and Chekalin is located just 250 km from Moscow.
1. Innopolis - 407 residents
The smallest city in Russia in terms of population for 2019 is considered to be a science city located in the Republic of Tatarstan. It differs not only in small size, but also in that it is one of the rare cities that appeared on the map of the Russian Federation after perestroika.
The first to speak of creating an advanced science city was the President of the Republic of Tatarstan. It was supposed that it would be a modern city, with all the necessary infrastructure, where high minds would calmly engage in science and earn fame and money for the republic. And the attendants will take care to make it comfortable and convenient for them. The layout of the city was created by a venerable Singaporean architect, and the ruling elite of the republic personally chose the name.
The city officially opened in 2015, and at that time its population was only 10 people. Over the past 4 years, it has increased by 40 times and now as many as 407 inhabitants live in it.
At this rate, up to the declared figure of 155 thousand citizens, Innopolis has only 388 years to wait. In the meantime, these 407 people roam in the territory, designed for a much larger number of people.
The city has its own university, an international school, a medical center for up to 500 patients per day, as well as a city stadium and a sports center. It’s even a pity that this splendor rarely revives human figures. True, the residents themselves are satisfied, because in their city it is quiet, calm, the air is fresh, and everyone knows each other. And if you want civilization - Kazan is very close, and you can get there by taxi.
