Coat of arms Flag Federal subject Perm Krai Population 153,806 (2012) | Country Russia Urban okrug Berezniki Urban Okrug Local time Friday 7:48 PM | |
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Administratively subordinated to city of krai significance of Berezniki Administrative center of city of krai significance of Berezniki Weather 0°C, Wind S at 19 km/h, 91% Humidity Points of interest Istoriko-khudozhestvennyy Muzey im. I. f. Konovalova, Berezniki Historical and Art Museum, Eternal flame | ||
Berezniki (Russian: Березники́) is a city in Perm Krai, Russia, located on the banks of the Kama River, in the Ural Mountains. Population: 156,466 (2010 Census); 173,077 (2002 Census); 201,213 (1989 Census).
Contents
- Map of Berezniki Permskiy Kray Russia
- Etymology
- History
- Administrative and municipal status
- Economy
- Notable people
- Transportation
- Trivia
- References
Map of Berezniki, Permskiy Kray, Russia
Etymology
The name Berezniki is derived from a birch forest originally situated on the city's location.
History
It was founded in 1873. City status was granted to it in 1932 as its industry was rapidly expanding under Joseph Stalin.
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as the city of krai significance of Berezniki—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the city of krai significance of Berezniki is incorporated as Berezniki Urban Okrug.
Economy
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the city's population dropped due to increased unemployment. Nevertheless, the city was able to keep its main industries on track. Large chemical plants such as titanium and sodium factories as well as several huge Potassium, Magnesium and Potash mines are operational in Berezniki.
The potash mine, owned by Uralkali, was the basis of the fortune of Dmitry Rybolovlev who sold his interest in 2010 to Suleyman Kerimov. Mine supports in the huge underground mine, about 1,000 feet beneath the city, consist of soluble salt which is being dissolved by water flooding into the mine. The city, a former Soviet era labor camp, was built near the work site, over the mine. Several sinkholes, some huge, have opened within the city. The situation requires round-the-clock monitoring. The problem is believed to be limited to a small part of the mine which was not filled properly and to be limited in its future impact, but relocation of the city is under consideration. The largest sinkhole, locally dubbed, "The Grandfather" by 2012, was 340 yards wide, 430 yards long, and 780 feet deep. When it opened in 2007 the hole was initially 80m long, 40m wide and 200m deep. The sinkhole was expected to expand, and destroy part of the only rail line which leads to and from the potash mines, and, being that Berezniki produces around 10% of the worlds potash, this would lead global demand towards Canada, potentially damaging the local economy. Nobody was injured when the sinkhole appeared.
Berezniki has a theater and a museum of regional history.
Notable people
Russia's first president Boris Yeltsin attended Pushkin High School in Berezniki.
Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev controlled the leading Berezniki potash mines during 2000 — 2011.
Transportation
Berezniki is served by the Berezniki Airport, which mainly serves helicopters. A railway station is closed since it is located in the sinkhole area and has been damaged beyond repair. In the city public transport service is operated with trolleybuses.
Trivia
Every year from July 17th to the 20th the town celebrates its mosquitoes. They have music, dancing and a "most delicious girl" competition. In the competition, the girls stand for 20 minutes in their shorts and vests, and the one who receives the most bites wins.