Belgorod region

• Belgorod region was founded in 1954

• Regional centre – Belgorod Region occupies an area of 27,100 sq. km (0.16% of Russia's total area)

• Population of the region (c. 1.01.2000) is 1,492,000 people (1,0% of Russia'spopulation)

• Density of population –54.2 people/sq. km

• Administrative areas – 21

• Cities of regional subordination – 6

• Population of the largest cities: Belgorod – 324,200; Stary Oskol – 202,100; Goubkin – 86,300


History and Culture

The Belgorod area is located on the southwest and southern slopes of the Central Russian upland. Belgorod is located 695 km to the south of Moscow. The area border with Ukraine (the Kharkov, Lugansk and Sumi areas), and also with the Kursk and Voronezh region.

The climate is moderately continental. The area contains a number of shallow regions of Russia. The basic waterways are the Rivers Severski Donetss, Oskol, Worskla and Tihaya Sosna. Most of the area is located in a zone of forest-steppe. Woods (basically oak groves) occupy 10% of the territory.

Archeological finds testify to the first settlements in the of area of Scythians (4-3 centuries B.C.), Alans (8-9 centuries.).

The first three fortresses (Belgorod, Stariy Oskol, Walyiki) were constructed at the end of the 16 century. A stronger line of defense, named the Belgorod feature, was constructed for the protection of the state in the middle of the 17 century. The extent of the Belgorod feature was 800 kilometre. The city of Belgorod became the centre of the Belgorod rank and united more than 60 cities. All military forces serving on the Belgorod feature were subordinated to the Belgorodian voivode and incorporated in the Belgorod regiment.

As a result of administrative transformations (1727) the Belgorod province which occupied the modern day Belgorod region and the territories of present day Kursk, Orel, in part Bryansk, Tula, Kharkov and Sumi areas was formed. The province existed for more than 50 years.

The Belgorod province has entered the Kursk region ruled by a governor-general, and then the Kursk province after reforms by Ekaterina II.

Belgorod lost the status of a city-fortress, becoming a uyezed city after of Crimea became part of Russia.

Very often events in the Belgorod area had great importance for Russia. The first horse army was created here during the Civil War, when the area saw fierce battles.

One of the most grandiose for all history of the Second World War tank battle has taken place on Prohorovskoe field (the third great battlefield of Russia after Kulikova and Borodino).

The Belgorod area was formed out of parts of the Kursk and Voronezh areas on January, 6, 1954


Sights

Belgorod authorities attach great importance to the conservation of national culture, and monuments of history and culture. Like all cities with several centuries of history, Belgorod combines in its architecture the beauty of old buildings with the grandeur and originality of modern ones.

Belgorod has been birthplace of many famous people known to all the country: poet and publicist, officer V.F. Raievskiy, whose family estate was in the village of Hvorostianka (now the village of Raievskoie, Goubkinskiy area).A participant of the Patriotic war of 1812, he was awarded a golden sword for courage. In 1825, the Decembrist Raievskiy was sentenced to death, but then exiled to Siberia. In 1856 Raievskiy was amnestied, but this freedom-loving man stayed in Siberia until his death.

On this land started and finished the brilliant but short life of N.V. Stankevich. During his studies at Moscow University he created a philosophic group, which greatly influenced social life in 1830s Russia.

The memory of Stankevich is perpetuated in the names of streets in Alexeevka (Belgorod region), Voronezh and Moscow.

The great actor M.S. Schepkin was the pride of Russian theatre. He was born in the village of Krasnoie (now in the Yakovlevskiy area) to a serf family. Schepkin spent many years in provincial acting companies, suffered the severities and humiliations of migratory life, remaining a serf of the court of Wolkenstein. Only in 1822 was he redeemed on money collected by progressive people and invited to work of the Moscow Theatre (since 1824 – Maly theatre). Schepkin dedicated 40 years of his life to this theatre.

In Belgorod a street and local theatre are named after Schepkin; a monument to the great actor is erected at the entrance to the theatre. There is a Schepkin museum in the village of Krasnoie.

The outstanding figures of science, culture, art and other celebrities which have glorified Belgorod region

• Strahov Nikolai Nikolaevich (1828-1896). First biographer of Fedor Dostoevskij.

• Raevsky Vladimir Fedoseevich (1795-1872). Poet, publicist, a participant of the Patriot war of 1812 and foreign campaigns. He became famous as the first Decembrist.

• Shchepkin Michael Semyonovich (1788-1863). Actor, the founder of realism in Russian scenic art.

• Anoshchenko Nikolay Dmitrievich (1894-1974). Pilot, inventor, cinematographer. Invented the material cover for parachute.

• Shuhov Vladimir Grigor'evich (1853-1939). Scientist, inventor, author of cracking-process. He designed well-known radio tower at Shabolovka.

• Vatutin Nikolay Fyodorovich (1901-1944). Army general. Hero of the Soviet Union. He was the chief of staff of the Northwest front, the deputy chief of the Joint Staff, led armies on the Voronezh, Southwest and Ukrainian I fronts in World War II.

• Ljubimenko Vladimir Nikolaevich (1873-1937). Doctor of botanical sciences, academician, wrote the basic work on photosynthesis.

• Dvigubsky Ivan Alekseevich (1771-1839). Scientist. The composer of the first determinant of wild-growing flora of the Moscow province and a determinant of domestic herbs.

• Degtjaryov Stepan Anikievich (1768-1813). Conductor and the composer. The author of 60 concerts and the first Russian oratorio on a national theme “Minin and Podgarskji, or clearing of Moscow”.

• Kondakov Nikodim Pavlovich (1844-1925). Recreated a history of the Byzantian art, developed a iconographical method of studying medieval art and its topographical features.

HOTELS
¹ Hotel Address Tel Fax More
1 “Belgorod” Belgorod, Revolutions Square (0722)32-25-12
(0722)33-03-28 		(0722)32-73-21 -
2 “Central” Belgorod, Communistiheskay St., 86 (0722)32-18-55
(0722)32-20-94 		- -
3 “Yugnay” Belgorod, Vatutin Avenue, 2 (0722)25-45-96
(0722)25-98-59 		- -
4 “Belogor'e” 308000, Belgorod, Pesthanaya St., 1a (0722)21-53-01 - -
5 Sanatorium-dispensary “Krasivo” 309340, City of Belgorod area, Borisovskii zone, village Krasivo (07246)3-08-04
(07246)5-35-51 		(07246)3-31-11 Treatment: 1. Diseases of cardiovascular system, nervous system, bone-muscular system, backbone, joints.
2. Respiratory illnesses.
Recreation: Pool, training hall, excursions, tennis court, volleyball, bicycles, tourist routes, beach, disco, êàràîêå, billiards, sauna, hydrochloric cave.
Services: Accomodation in luxury rooms, cottages, restaurant, a bar, a hairdressing saloon, parking, shop, mineral water “Krasivo”.
6 Base of Rest “Smile” Stariy Oskol (0725)43-92-00
(0725)43-92-20 		(0725)43-92-21 Services: Sauna, bath, billiards, improving procedures, pool, an open reservoir.


TRAVEL AGENCIES
¹ Agency Address Tel
1 Open Company The Bureau of the international youth tourism “Sputnik” 308600, Belgorod, Narodnay St., 135 (0722)22-63-40
2 Open Company “Inturist-Belgorod” Belgorod, Communistiheskay St., 82 (0722)33-69-09
(0722)27-86-00
3 State establishment of additional education of children “Centre of children's and youthful tourism” 308010, Belgorod, Kutusov St. 19 (0722)34-46-00
(0722)34-96-29
4 Open Company “Lora-Tur” Belgorod, Promichlennii proesd, 3 (0722)54-27-07
(o722)34-33-62
5 Open Company “Visit-Tur” 308600, Belgorod, Michurin St., 62 à (0722)26-82-78
(0722)26-75-63
6 Open Company “Dal-Tur” Belgorod, Korolev St., 6 (0722)52-68-10

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
SECURITY AND INDUSTRY
OF THE BELGOROD REGION
ADMINISTRATION
Tel.: (0852)30-41-35, 30-36-75
Fax (0852)30-56-2