Perm Region
// GENERAL INFORMATION
Perm Region belongs to the Ural region. Its capital is the city of Perm, located in the central part of the region. Perm is the largest city in the Kama area, extending for more than 60 km along the banks of the Kama River. It was founded in 1723 near the village of Egoshikha dating from the early 17th century. A state-owned brass works using local cuprous sandstones was built here, where the Egoshikha River flows into the Kama. Perm was built on site of the village, and from 1796 onward, was a provincial capital.
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The Kama area is known for its long frosty, snowy Ural winters. However, the region's severe continental climate causes abrupt seasonal changes, from a cold winter followed by a mild, usually warm spring and then by a hot summer.
The present-day city of Perm is a major center of heavy industry, primarily engineering, which manufactures process and production equipment for the metallurgical, mining, and forest industries; electrical components; aircraft engines; machine tools; river ships; and consumer goods (e.g., Kama bicycles, Lysva electric stoves). The largest companies in this sector include the Motovilikhinskie, Velta, and Dzerzhinsky engineering plants; motor works, instrument-making plants, and shipbuilding facilities; a mining engineering plant; cable and telephone factories; and ship repair facilities.
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The most developed industries include the chemical industry (varnishes, paints, fertilizers, sulfuric acid, etc.), the petrochemical and oil refining industries [Permnefteorgsintez Production Association (PO Permnefteorgsintez), Kirov Scientific and Production Association (NPO im. S.M. Kirova), the Sorbent and Halogen (Galogen) plants, and others], and woodworking (a timber complex, sawmills, a housebuilding combine, and a furniture factory). A paper mill, a large printing plant, a well-known keyboard instrument factory, and companies in the light and food industries also operate here.
The Kama Hydroelectric Power Plant (Kamskaya GES) is located in Perm.
Perm is both a cultural and scientific center. Perm University, founded in 1916, was the first higher educational institution in the Urals. Other facilities operating here in addition to the university include a technical university, many other institutes belonging to the Perm Science Center of the Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and research and design institutions.
&As a result of the referendum held in Perm Region and Komi-Permyak Autonomous Area on December 7, 2003, the two regions will be united into Perm Territory (Krai) by the end of 2005. The trend to consolidate regions into larger units is becoming more pronounced.
Perm has long been famous for its musical and theatrical traditions. The first musical performance was held here in 1806, and the stone building of the opera theater was constructed in 1878. Today, Perm has the Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theater, a puppet theater, and a young people's theater. The Perm Ballet School, philharmonic, circus, art gallery, and local history museum are world famous.
Perm is a junction for railway lines to Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Kushva, and Solikamsk; and considerable emphasis is placed on developing highways and increasing the number of paved roads. Bridge construction is proceeding rapidly. The four river ports located in Perm Region (Perm, Levshino, Berezniki, and Tchaikovsky) connect to ports on the Baltic, White, Black, and Caspian seas and the Sea of Azov.
Perm is also located at the intersection of main air routes. The regionally administered Bolshoe Savino Airport has international status, with customs and border services and flights to European, Middle Eastern, and Far Eastern countries.
Perm Region has a population of about 3 million people, one-third of them living in Perm. The region is multinational, with representatives of more than 80 nationalities among the population. Most of these nationalities belong to three language groups: Slavic, Turkic, and Finno-Ugrian. Russians make up 83.8% of the population; the most numerous non-Russian nationalities are Tatars (4.9%), Komi-Permyaks (4.0%), Bashkirs (1.7%), Ukrainians (1.5%), Udmurts (1.1%), Belarussians (0.6%), Germans (0.5%), Chuvashes (0.3%), and Maris (0.2%). The remaining nationalities make up 1.4% of the population. The number of Komi-Permyaks is gradually decreasing; however, they form the overwhelming majority of the population in the Komi-Permyak Autonomous District. A large percentage of the population is employed in industry (33.5%), followed by culture (12.3%), trade (11.9%), agriculture (10.2%), and management (1.8%).
HISTORY
The city of Perm, with its more than 200 years of history, occupies a special position among the cities of Perm Region. The city's name is derived from the Finno-Ugrian pera ma, meaning "distant land".
The word "Perm" is first encountered in the early 12th-century masterpiece of Old Rus known as The Tale of Bygone Years (Povest vremennykh let).
Great Perm took a very active part in defending and developing the Trans-Ural (Zauralskie) lands that had recently become part of the Russian state.
Mass Russian settlement of the Kama area took place in the 16th century. By decree of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, salt production began, trades developed, and churches and monasteries were built here. Fortress walls encircled the settlements.
In 1723, V.N. Tatishchev, one of Peter the Great's closest associates, built the Egoshikha brass works, which quickly became an important economic and transshipment center on the banks of the navigable Kama River. Goods were exported via the Chusovaya River and then down the Kama to the Volga.
As a result of administrative reforms carried out in Russia in 1780, the settlement at Egoshikha, being the most geographically convenient point, was chosen as the center of a huge territory called Perm Province. The rise of Perm brought the Western Urals more fully into the empire's sphere of geopolitical interests, and Perm itself became a seat of power.
The territory's diversity of natural resources and the development of commercial agriculture and livestock farming led to the expansion of cottage industries among the population. Perm Province ranked high in the country in the number of home industries; and the tradition of crafts such as pottery, stonecutting, lapidary work, blacksmithing, and cabinetmaking continues to this day.
The Western Ural region was a huge territory where platinum was mined. By the end of the 19th century, gold production had doubled and a variety of other minerals were being produced. Mining companies had undergone an industrial revolution, and capital investments by foreign firms had increased significantly.
With the development of capitalism in Russia, the province's importance as both an industrial and a transportation center increased. New factories were built, some of which, like the Motovilikhinsky Cannon Factory, were the equal of European factories in technical equipment. The Gornozavodskaya railway connecting Perm with Ekaterinburg was built in 1878. In these pre-Revolutionary times, Perm was the administrative, transit, and cultural center of the Urals.
Economic development led to an increase in the number of residents: according to the census of 1897, Perm had a population of 45 000. Various educational institutions were concentrated in the city; and a university (the 11th university in Russia) opened in 1916 thanks to the provincial administration and local scientific societies. Many educational institutions were opened on private funds. The Perm Scientific and Industrial Museum, founded in 1890, was the territory's main cultural and educational center.
A number of people who left their mark on Russian history were closely linked to industrial development in the province. The old names of the factories still preserve references to the family names of Tatishchev, Shuvalov, and Demidov. However, Perm gave the world more than just famous industrialists. The life and work of the great Russian composer Petr Ilich Tchaikovsky, architects I. Sviyazev and A. Voronikhin, inventor of the radio A.S. Popov [Russians claim that Popov invented the radio before Marconi], and inventor of electric arc welding N.G. Slavyanov are connected with the city in the Urals. Writers D. Mamin-Sibiryak and P. Bazhov were also born in Perm.
Perm was also a place of political exile of such well-known people as M.M. Speransky (1812-1814, A.I. Gertsen (1835), and V.G. Korolenko (1880-1890).
Perm played a special role during World War Two. Many large factories from the European part of the USSR were saved by being evacuated to the city. Perm produced artillery pieces, aircraft engines, small arms, and the famous Katyusha rocket.
Between 1940 and 1957, Perm was known as Molotov.
The 20th century was marked by rapid growth of the Kama area's industrial potential. The engineering industry became more sophisticated and diversified, and rapid development occurred in other sectors, such as the chemical industry (raw mineral production; production of mineral fertilizers, soda, and acids), nonferrous metallurgy (titanium production), and oil refining. Development of oil fields began, and a group of Russia's largest pulp and paper mills were centered in the Kama area. New cities grew up around the new factories.
During the course of economic reform, a mixed form of ownership became dominant in industry, and the proportion of private businesses and joint stock companies increased significantly. The conversion of enterprises to joint stock companies provided a basis for the development of a securities market in the region, which is open to representatives of foreign companies.
Obviously, this powerful industrial potential could not have been created without advanced scientific support. Research institutes involved in nearly every branch of technical knowledge and special and general design offices operate in the region; and a solid educational base consisting of universities, academies, and secondary technical and liberal arts schools has been established.
The more than 5000 amateur artistic groups are evidence of the vitality of cultural traditions. Some of them are well known not only in Russia, but also in many other countries.
The articles made by craftsmen of the Kama area are beautiful and distinctive. More than 50 traditional folk arts have been preserved to our time, for example, birchbark plaiting, woodcarving, weaving, stone cutting, pottery, and lacemaking.
Perm Region has become best known for stone cutting. The largest centers of this craft are Ordinsky District and the city of Kungur. The work of Perm's master stonecutters has been shown many times at interregional and international exhibitions. There are craftsmen who carefully follow all the traditional methods of working this material; however, it was only in the mid-1980s that the Western Urals were opened for general visiting [many cities of the region were closed to foreigners in the Soviet period because of their defense, nuclear, or other strategic facilities]. Perestroika flung open the gates with the five-pointed red stars. Today, one of Russia's richest provinces is open for integration into the world economy, cultural exchanges, and contacts at all levels.
RESOURCES
Nature has endowed Perm Region generously. Salt deposits in the region have been worked since the early days. Strategic production of potassium, magnesium, and sodium chloride salts is underway at the Verkhnekamskoe deposit, which has an area of 1800 km2 and salt beds up to 514 m thick. Nearly half of all Russian rock salt reserves are concentrated here.
The first oil was discovered near Verkhnechusovskie Gorodki in 1929 in the process of boring for rock salt. Hydrocarbon reserves are distributed throughout the region. At present, 89 oil fields, 3 gas fields, and 18 gas and oil fields are under development. Oil pools in the northern part of the region lie at great depths beneath salt beds. Production is mainly carried on in the region's central and southern districts. The most developed oil and gas reservoirs are the Polaznenskoe, Krasnokamskoe, Kuedinskoe, Osinskoe, and Chernushenskoe fields.
The efficient operation of small hydrocarbon deposits in the region is due to the presence of a local oil refining system.
The best known coal deposits are located in the Kizelovsky coal basin. Coal production has been going on for more than 200 years but is gradually decreasing today. Ten percent of the hard coal reserves in the Ural economic district are concentrated in the Kama region.
The main Saranovskoe chromic iron ore deposit is the only deposit in Russia where chromite is mined.
More than ten different deposits of nonferrous, rare earth, and precious metals (gold, platinum) are known.
High-quality diamonds used mainly for jewelry are mined in Krasnovishersky District in the northern part of the region.
Other known mineral deposits include quartz, citrine, selenite, marble, and uvarovite [green garnet].
Building materials, such as limestone, dolomite, gypsum, clay, anhydrite, quartz sand, and gravel, are also produced.
Perm has three large botanical sites: the Zakamsky pine grove, Linden Mountain (Lipovaya Gora), and the municipal Chernyaevsky Forest Park, which have a total area of 2400 hectares. Forests cover 71% of Perm Region. Dense stands of spruce and fir are located in the north; pine woods, in the northwest; and deciduous forests (linden, maple, elm, oak, and shrubs), in the south. Birch and aspen forests are encountered everywhere.
Mature and overmature stands occupy more than half of the total forest area. Intensive logging is going on; however, the pace of forest regeneration work in the region is slower for various reasons. The planting stock is grown in nursery forests.
In addition to direct planting, preparation of land for future forestation, nurseries, and plantations is progressing well. Meadows and pasture occupy about 10% of the region, and bog vegetation occupies another 5%.
About 60 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, about 40 species of fish, 6 species of reptiles, and 9 species of amphibians are encountered in Perm Region. More than 30 species of mammals are commercially important.
Martens, stoats, weasels, and wolves are found throughout the region; badgers and otters, in the southern and central districts; and wolverines, the north. Bears and lynx inhabit the entire region, except the far south. Among hoofed animals, moose predominate in the Kama area, while deer come in from neighboring regions.
Efforts are being made in the region to adapt and breed certain commercial animal species, such as beavers, raccoon dogs, muskrats, Arctic fox, and mink.
The most common birds in the region are wood, black, and hazel grouse, crossbills, and several species of titmice; migratory birds encountered here include starlings, thrushes, rooks, and swallows. The most common predatory birds are eagles, owls, crows, and magpies.
Perm Region has the largest number of natural and artificial water bodies in the Urals. All rivers flowing into the region belong to the Kama River basin. The Kama River itself is 1805 km long. Several tributaries of the Kama with their sources in the Urals are typical mountain rivers, although their flow velocity decreases significantly on the plains. The main water source for the rivers of the Western Urals, including the Kama, is snowmelt. Therefore, prolonged freezing, high spring runoff, and low water in summer and winter are characteristic of the rivers in the region. The rivers in the northeastern part of the region have high water levels year round, while those in the south become very low and even dry up. Ponds in the Kama area control the flow of small rivers and are also used to meet the needs of smale-scale power generation, timber rafting, fishing, water supply, irrigation, and for beautifying rural landscapes. Most of the lakes in Perm Region are small and marshy. The largest lakes [Chusovskoe (area - 19.4 km2), Bolshoi Kumikush, and Novozhilovo] are located in the north. Lake Rogalek, with a depth of 61 m, is considered to be the deepest lake. Chusovskoe Lake is a state reserve specially set aside to protect several migratory bird species. Another reserve on Lake Adovoa protects the nesting sites of the rare whooping swan.
There are more than 800 bogs in Perm Region with commercially important peat reserves; however, owing to their water-conservation role and biological and other valuable qualities, these bogs are not being developed. The varied natural conditions in the region have led to the formation of many types of underground water. Several dozen kinds of mineral water have recently been discovered in the Kama area; many of them have good medicinal properties, which are of interest for resort development. The region also has a number of large reservoirs constructed for hydroelectric power plants, e.g., the Kamskoe and Votkinskoe reservoirs on the Kama River and the Shirokovskoe on the Kosva River.
ECONOMY
Perm Region is one of the country's most important industrial centers, especially noted for heavy industry. The main industrial sectors are ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, the chemical and oil industries, engineering (especially heavy engineering), and the forest, pulp and paper, and building material industries.
Engineering provides 43.7% of the city's gross output; the fuel industry provides 13.7%; and the chemical industry, 12.8%. Perm's industry is characterized by concentration in the defense industry. Ten major defense industry companies employ half of the region's industrial production workers.
Products manufactured by companies in Perm are in high demand in Russia and the CIA. Thirty companies deliver their products to 60 countries around the world. They export aircraft engines, petroleum products, cable, paper products, paints, power saws, power pumps, bicycles, telephone sets, Skif trailers, chemicals, synthetic cleaning agents, parts for forest industry equipment, component sets for cars, and other items.
The appearance of different ownership forms, namely, 20 commercial banks, 8 joint ventures, 111 joint-stock companies, 3 concerns, 27 associations, 7 consortiums, 1478 partnerships, and various other management forms, has led to reform of the city's economy. More than 150 trading companies have been privatized, and a raw materials exchange operates in the city.
The overall level of socioeconomic, technological, and intellectual potential in Perm makes it possible to create the necessary conditions for the city to function effectively in a market economy. The formation of a Perm "technocity" offers a means of using the natural resources and cultural potential of Perm and its suburban areas more effectively to develop nontraditional economic spheres such as tourism, including international tourism.
In the area of housing, in 2001, Perm Region received 133 housing certificates amounting to more than 32 million rubles under the presidential program "State Housing Certificates". The Kama area has received more certificates than any other Ural region.
Perm Region belongs to the high-risk farming zone. Despite favorable climatic conditions and huge amounts of agricultural land, the soils are mainly sod-podzolic and require liming.
About 3 million hectares of land in Perm Region are used for agriculture, including about 2 million hectares used for growing crops. Nearly half (46%) of the area under crop is sown in grain. The main crop is winter rye, which is less particular about soil and climatic conditions. Yields of spring wheat, oats, buckwheat, long-fibered flax, potatoes, and vegetables are also fairly good.
At present, the region is nearly self-sufficient in potatoes, eggs and egg products, vegetables, meat and meat products, and milk and milk products. Meat and dietetic products are supplied mainly by the Permptitseprom Association, which is one of the top five companies in this sector in Russia. However, like the rest of the agricultural industry, Permptitseprom is experiencing difficulties. The government is very reluctant to provide low-interest credit, and banks offer credit for a maximum of one year at exorbitant interest. The problem of grain supply is also a cause for concern, since the entire state grain procurement system has broken down and the company has had to look for grain in other parts of Russia. However, the association's management is trying to reach international standards; therefore, they are initiating relations with leading foreign poultry producers such as Babolna (Hungary) and Big Dagmar (Germany). Reconstruction and modernization of the plant is also underway.
Chusovsky District has a large agricultural complex that supplies the district and city with milk and milk products.
AUTHORITIES
The Administration of Perm Region is the region's executive body. The Legislative Assembly of Perm Region exercises legislative authority; it is the region's highest and only standing legislative body.
CULTURE AND ART
Perm Region has a rich and varied cultural life.
Ten professional theaters operate in the region, allowing people to relax and enjoy the world of art, while intellectually enriching the upcoming generation. The Tchaikovsky Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Perm, one of the oldest theaters in Russia, is widely known and its ballet company is world renowned. Many graduates of the Perm Choreographic School, whose ballet school has received world recognition, have performed on the theater's stage.
The Sports Rhythms of Russia (Sportivnye ritmy Rossii) dance ensemble under the direction of M.A. Korlyakova also performs on the stage of the Academic Theater. It is the only professional dance company to combine classical and show choreography with gymnastics.
The All-Union Rock-Line Festival is held annually near the Kungurskaya ice cave. Live performances of contemporary music, well-prepared programs for children and teenagers, plus the festival's unusual location in an anomalous zone attract crowds of music fans and tourists. Rock-Line is included among the 50 best events of the federal "Russian Youth" program.
Sculpture, stonecutting, and jewelry are old traditions in the Kama area. The All-Russian symposium on granite park sculpture is held in Perm. Participants work right in front of the spectators, who have come to see this impressive performance in the city's Gorky Children's Park. The International Snow- and Ice-Sculpture Festival has already been held more than once in this same park.
The Perm Art Gallery has a world-famous collection of wooden sculptures. Another attraction is the Khokhlovka architectural and ethnographic museum reserve, which has combined unique wooden buildings of the 17th to 19th centuries into a grand ensemble. Restoration of these buildings is currently underway. There a 18 museums in Perm Region; and Perm itself has a circus, a philharmonic, and the only planetarium in the Urals.
Perm regional server:
http://www.perm.ru/
The Legislative Assembly of Perm Region:
http://www.parliament.perm.ru
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