Syktyvkar (English) Сыктывкар (Russian) Сыктывкар (Komi) |
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Location of the Komi Republic in Russia |
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Administrative status (as of October 2011) | |
Country | Russia |
Federal subject | Komi Republic |
Administratively subordinated to | city of republic significance of Syktyvkar |
Capital of | Komi Republic |
Administrative center of | city of republic significance of Syktyvkar |
Municipal status (as of October 2011) | |
Urban okrug | Syktyvkar Urban Okrug |
Administrative center of | Syktyvkar Urban Okrug |
Mayor | Andrey Samodelkin |
Statistics | |
Area | 152 km2 (59 sq mi) |
Population (2010 Census) | 235,006 inhabitants |
- Rank in 2010 | 81st |
Density | 1,546/km2 (4,000/sq mi) |
Time zone | MSK (UTC+03:00) |
Known since | 16th century |
City status since | 1780 |
Previous names | Ust-Sysolsk (until 1930) |
Postal code(s) | 167000, 167002, 167004, 167005, 167009, 167011, 167014, 167018, 167023, 167026, 167031 |
Dialing code(s) | +7 8212 |
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Syktyvkar (Russian: Сыктывка́р; IPA: [sɨktɨfˈkar]; Komi: Сыктывкар) is the capital city of the Komi Republic, Russia. Population: 235,006 (2010 Census);230,011 (2002 Census);232,117 (1989 Census).
The city's current name comes from Syktyv, the Komi name for the same river, plus kar, meaning "city".
Syktyvkar is located on the Sysola River, which is the origin of its former name Ust-Sysolsk. The city is located near to the point where the Sysola joins the larger Vychegda River, which is itself a branch of the Northern Dvina.
It is believed that there has been a settlement at the city's present site since at least the 16th century. It was granted city status by Catherine the Great in 1780, and later became the administrative center of Komi Autonomous Oblast. It has retained its position as the Komi capital since that point, although a large influx of ethnic Russians in the 20th century has actually left the Komi in a minority there.
The majority of the population were merchants and peasants. The main occupations of the inhabitants were agriculture, cattle-breeding, hunting, fishing, and trade.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the population had grown to 6,000 people. The Tsarist government made the Komi region a place of political exile.
In 1921, Ust-Sysolsk was given the status of administrative center of the newly formed Komi Autonomous Soviet Republic. It was renamed as Syktyvkar, which is Komi for "a town on the Sysola" in 1930, to mark the 150th anniversary of its receipt of city privileges. In 1936, Syktyvkar became the capital of the Komi ASSR.