What is Astrakhan? The Volga, with its abundance of fish, watermelons, juicy and sweet, like first love, the Astrakhan Kremlin - the protector of the city and its historical value, and, of course, sand dunes, magnificent mountains and beautiful lakes.
Historical background
Astrakhan is located on the islands in the Caspian lowland. If you walk along the Volga, the city is located in the upper part of the river, thanks to which it has become the largest transport center of the Lower Volga region. Tourists often visit the city because of its rich heritage, and also due to the fact that Astrakhan connects all kinds of road, rail, sea and river routes. The reason for the formation of the city was a vivid confrontation between the Russian states and the Tatar khanates, which at that time owned the Lower and Middle Volga regions. The accession of the Astrakhan principality to Russia was carried out by Ivan the Terrible in 1556. The only thing left for him was to strengthen the defense of the new Russian city, located in the middle of the steppe, as much as possible. To do this, he decided to move the city to a safer place, a hillock on the left bank of the Volga. But that wasn't enough forconfident protection, and then a stone Kremlin was erected around the city. The administrative status of Astrakhan was assigned only under Peter I. Now the city is flourishing and delighting tourists with its special flavor.
Climatic situation
Tourists should carefully prepare before going to Astrakhan. The climate here is temperate continental, which is why in winter the temperature in the city, although slightly, is below the norm corresponding to this geographical latitude. For the north side, the average is minus twelve degrees Celsius, and for the south - minus eight. The weather in Astrakhan often upsets the townspeople with severe frosts. There are days when the thermometer shows minus thirty. Astrakhan in the summer is also able to surprise with a temperature mark. The July heat reaches +250С. The annual level of precipitation in the southern part of the region ranges from 180 to 200 mm, the northern part is characterized by a level of up to 280-290 mm. In winter, sleet and even rain cover Astrakhan. The climate in summer is characterized by frequent downpours with thunderstorms and hail. The wind averages between four and eight meters per second. But there are periods when this figure reaches 20 m / s. In general, the city has quite comfortable climatic zones. Astrakhan is an actively developing city, in connection with which its ecological condition is seriously affected.
Environmental situation
The city itself is large, which does not allow for wide highways. NarrowIn streets with a lot of intersections, traffic moves slowly and often stops, which contributes to a huge emission of exhaust gases. If the climate does not frighten those who decide to move to Astrakhan, then the lack of landscaping of the city, which is the reason for the frequent flooding of the city, may frighten them away. This ecological situation leads to the appearance of specific diseases in the population. Typically, the respiratory, digestive and immune systems are affected. The gas processing plant located in Aksaraysk also plays a significant role in environmental pollution.
City residents
A characteristic feature of the Astrakhan population is its multinationality. More than a hundred ethnic groups of twenty different religious denominations settled here. The first place in terms of population of one nationality is occupied by Russians, the second place belongs to the Tatars and the third - to the Kazakhs. The active revival of the economic situation in the region has led to an increase in the number of able-bodied population, which now stands at 60%. Most of the townspeople work in agricultural enterprises and in the service sector. Also, huge forces are directed to education and he alth care. The poverty rate in the Astrakhan region does not differ from the national average and is 26%. Most of the poor live in areas where people do not have jobs, and they receive their main income from farming. As for the demographic situation in Astrakhan, it is characterized by positive dynamics, which is confirmed byannual population growth.
Remoteness from other cities
Time in Astrakhan differs from Moscow by +3 hours. The city belongs to the Europe/Volgograd (MSK) time zone. The fact that the time in Astrakhan does not correspond to the capital is not surprising, because the cities are quite far from each other. If we count the distance in hours, then it is about fifteen and a half hours by car, twenty to twenty-three hours by train and almost two hours by plane. If a decision is made to travel along the Moscow-Astrakhan route, the distance has to be overcome in 1272 km. But this is not so much, if you look that from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Astrakhan 6746 km. Most often, tourists are happy to overcome the route Moscow-Astrakhan. Distance is not the most important thing here, because the city has many attractions. The historical sites of Astrakhan will delight the eye of even the most sophisticated traveler. If you choose the sea route to the city, it is very important to know the coordinates of Astrakhan. The city is located at 46° 19' north latitude and 48° 1' east longitude.
Astrakhan beauties
If the climate of the region can beat off the desire to visit Astrakhan, then the beauty of the city attracts at first sight. The lower reaches of the Volga delta attracts with the presence of the most beautiful plants, including relic ones. Astrakhan residents are proud of the amazing plant curiosity that grows in their area - a fabulously beautiful lotus, which pleases with its flowering only in summer.period. This natural phenomenon delights all tourists. No less delighted are the people who find themselves on the banks of the Lower Volga region. There are all the natural delights here - coastal forests, sandy dunes, the magnificent Baskunchak Lake and Big Bogdo. For he alth purposes, it is recommended to visit balneological resorts, which are based on natural reserves containing healing mud. If the weather in Astrakhan allows during the trip, then each guest simply needs to go fishing in local waters. More than seventy different species of fish are found here, including sturgeon, beluga, sterlet.
City attractions
The central tourist attraction of the city is the Astrakhan Kremlin, which has existed since 1558. At first it was made of wood, after a while it was rebuilt and made of stone. The territory of the Kremlin is famous for its historical buildings of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The main architectural values: Assumption Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, Bishop's House and St. Cyril's Chapel. This place is called a real storehouse of historical monuments. Connoisseurs of measured rest should visit the Governor's Parade Square. It is located in the very center of Astrakhan and has existed since 1769. Here you can take a leisurely walk and get acquainted with the exquisite buildings made in the style of classicism. Also, guests of the city are recommended to visit the First of May embankment, walk along Nikolskaya Street, visit the old Oktyabr cinema and its unique arboretum garden and, of course, admire the diverse woodenbuildings decorating the city.
Infrastructure of Astrakhan
The problem area of Astrakhan, like many other regions, is the housing and communal services sector. Its imperfection is connected with the unwillingness of officials to pay sufficient attention to this issue and the low solvency of the local population. The general picture of the city is dilapidated and dilapidated housing, not the best condition of roads and insufficiently landscaped yard areas. But some procedures to get out of the current unfavorable situation are still underway. For example, a major overhaul of dilapidated housing is underway, according to which, by 2010, one hundred and fifty-four objects had been restored. Work is also underway to improve the city's energy supply, as part of which the city's boiler houses are equipped with the latest equipment that helps optimize water treatment. Also, all districts of the city take part in the collective installation of appliances in homes that take into account the consumption of electricity and water. A significant role in the infrastructure of the city is played by the transport network, numbering 4771.5 km. On the territory of the region there are three tracks of international level. Also, the local airport has international status, and the city's navy includes the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy.
Criminal weather
According to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and Rosstat, the Astrakhan region is in fifth place, depending on the level of crime. The city shares its "honorable" place with the Kurgan region. City oftenloud things shake. So, for example, the incident associated with a successful businessman and owner of the Leskal chain of stores did not go unnoticed by the public. The attackers robbed his house for a total of three million rubles and brutally cracked down on his family. There are also frequent incidents of violence against young girls in the city.
