Stavropol
Ставрополь
City[1]
Top:View of downtown Kaskad Fantanov area, Stavropol Saint Andrew Cathedral, Second:Vladimir Lenin Statue and Stavropol Duma Building, Third: Stavropol Gosudarstvennyy historical Museum, Tiflis Gate, Bottom:Stavropol Intourist Hotel, Red Guard Soldier monument (all items left to right)
Flag of Stavropol
Flag
Coat of arms of Stavropol
Coat of arms
Location of Stavropol
Map
Stavropol is located in Stavropol Krai
Stavropol
Stavropol
Stavropol in Russia
Stavropol is located in Russia
Stavropol
Stavropol
Stavropol (Russia)
Coordinates: 45°03′N 41°59′E / 45.050°N 41.983°E / 45.050; 41.983
CountryRussia
Federal subjectStavropol Krai[2]
FoundedOctober 22, 1777[3]
City status since1785[4]
Government
 • BodyCity Duma[5]
 • Head[5]Ivan Ulyanchenko
Elevation
620 m (2,030 ft)
Population
 (2010 Census)[6]
 • Total398,539
 • Estimate 
(2018)[7]
433,931 (+8.9%)
 • Rank47th in 2010
 • Subordinated tocity of krai significance of Stavropol[1]
 • Capital ofStavropol Krai,[2] city of krai significance of Stavropol[1]
 • Urban okrugStavropol Urban Okrug[8]
 • Capital ofStavropol Urban Okrug[8]
Time zoneUTC+3 (MSK Edit this on Wikidata[9])
Postal code(s)[10]
355000–355013, 355016–355021, 355024–355026, 355028–355032, 355035, 355037, 355038, 355040–355042, 355044, 355045, 355047
Dialing code(s)+7 8652
OKTMO ID07701000001
Websiteставрополь.рф

Stavropol (/stævˈroʊpəl/; Russian: Ставрополь, IPA: [ˈstavrəpəlʲ]), known as Voroshilovsk from 1935 until 1943,[12] is a city and the administrative centre of Stavropol Krai, in southern Russia. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 547,820, making it one of Russia's fastest growing cities.[13]

Etymology

The name Stavropol (Russian: Ста́врополь) is a Russian rendering of the Greek name, Stauropolis (Greek: Σταυρούπολις 'City of the Cross'). According to legend, soldiers found a stone cross there while building the fortress in the city's future location.[14] It is unrelated to Byzantine Stauroupolis (ancient Aphrodisias) in Asia Minor, nor to the city of Stavropol-on-Volga (now called Tolyatti).

History

It was founded on October 22, 1777[3] following the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774 as a military encampment,[14] and was granted city status in 1785.[4] Prince Grigory Potemkin, who founded Stavropol as one of ten fortresses built between Azov and Mozdok at the request of Catherine the Great, played a leading role in the creation of the city. Don Cossacks, particularly those from the Khopersky Regiment, settled the area in and around the cities of Stavropol and Georgiyevsk with a mission to defend borders of the Empire.[15]

Alexander I in 1809 invited several Armenian families to settle by the fortress, in order to encourage trade in the region.

Stavropol's strategic location aided the Russian Empire's conquest of the Caucasus. By the early 19th century the city grew into a busy trade center of the North Caucasus. In 1843, an Episcopal see of the Russian Orthodox Church was established in Stavropol and in 1847 the city became the seat of Stavropol Governorate.[16]

During the Russian Civil War the city changed hands several times and finally was captured by the Red Army from the Volunteer Army of general Anton Denikin on February 29, 1920. The city was renamed Voroshilovsk on May 5, 1935, after Kliment Voroshilov, but the original name was restored by decree on January 12, 1943.[17] The Great Patriotic War took a heavy toll on the city and between August 3, 1942 and January 21, 1943 Stavropol was occupied by the Germans and its airport was used as a base for the Luftwaffe (German air force) to bomb Soviet oil supplies in Grozny. The city was liberated by the Soviet Army in January, 1943. Since 1946, natural gas has been extracted near the city; later on, a pipeline to supply Moscow was built.

Administrative and municipal status

Stavropol is the administrative center of the krai.[2] Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is, together with one rural locality (the khutor of Grushevy), incorporated as the city of krai significance of Stavropol—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.[1] As a municipal division, the city of krai significance of Stavropol is incorporated as Stavropol Urban Okrug.[8]

Economy

Stavropol's economy focuses on the production of automobiles, furniture, and construction equipment and materials. The city relies on air transport through Shpakovskoye airport as well as rail and highway connections to other Russian cities.

Demographics

Stavropol's 2021 population is now estimated at 453,387. In 1950, the population of Stavropol was 108,353. Stavropol has grown by 3,293 since 2015, which represents a 0.73% annual change.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
189741,590—    
192657,405+38.0%
193985,251+48.5%
1959141,023+65.4%
1970198,251+40.6%
1979258,233+30.3%
1989318,298+23.3%
2002354,867+11.5%
2010398,539+12.3%
2021547,443+37.4%
Source: Census data

Facilities

Stavropol has a theater and an association football team called FC Dynamo Stavropol.

The main educational institutions of the town include North-Caucasus Federal University, Stavropol State Agrarian University, and Stavropol State Medical University.

The area of Russia in which Stavropol resides is very mountainous, placing the city in the midst of the northern Caucasus mountain range. The city has one of the biggest city parks in Russia, 'Victory Park' covering up to 200 hectares.[citation needed]

The city, like many other Russian cities has its own botanical garden, which covers up to 18 hectares, including 16 hectares of natural woods.[14][18]

Climate

Stavropol experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa), following the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm, a humid continental climate (Dfa), with short but cold winters (though mild for Russia) and hot summers. Precipitation is rather low, with a 562 millimeters (22.1 in) annual average.

Stavropol is not protected by the mountains in the winter months, so it can frequently get very cold. The lowest temperature recorded in Stavropol was −28.3 °C (−18.9 °F) on 8 February 2012, while the highest was +39.7 °C (103.5 °F) on 8 August 2006.

Climate data for Stavropol (1991-2020, extremes 1854-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.8
(62.2) 		20.9
(69.6) 		30.2
(86.4) 		35.0
(95.0) 		32.5
(90.5) 		36.3
(97.3) 		38.6
(101.5) 		39.7
(103.5) 		37.3
(99.1) 		34.2
(93.6) 		24.8
(76.6) 		21.9
(71.4) 		39.7
(103.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.3
(34.3) 		2.5
(36.5) 		8.2
(46.8) 		15.5
(59.9) 		21.0
(69.8) 		25.7
(78.3) 		29.0
(84.2) 		28.9
(84.0) 		23.0
(73.4) 		15.7
(60.3) 		7.8
(46.0) 		3.1
(37.6) 		15.1
(59.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.3
(27.9) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		3.2
(37.8) 		9.7
(49.5) 		15.4
(59.7) 		19.9
(67.8) 		22.9
(73.2) 		22.6
(72.7) 		16.9
(62.4) 		10.5
(50.9) 		3.6
(38.5) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		10.0
(50.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.0
(23.0) 		−4.8
(23.4) 		−0.4
(31.3) 		5.0
(41.0) 		10.5
(50.9) 		15.0
(59.0) 		17.4
(63.3) 		16.9
(62.4) 		12.0
(53.6) 		6.6
(43.9) 		0.5
(32.9) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		5.9
(42.6)
Record low °C (°F) −27.7
(−17.9) 		−28.3
(−18.9) 		−19.4
(−2.9) 		−10.7
(12.7) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		3.1
(37.6) 		10.0
(50.0) 		6.9
(44.4) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−12.0
(10.4) 		−19.9
(−3.8) 		−24.3
(−11.7) 		−28.3
(−18.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 29
(1.1) 		28
(1.1) 		41
(1.6) 		41
(1.6) 		71
(2.8) 		77
(3.0) 		59
(2.3) 		37
(1.5) 		48
(1.9) 		52
(2.0) 		38
(1.5) 		33
(1.3) 		554
(21.8)
Average rainy days 5 5 8 13 13 13 10 8 10 11 10 7 113
Average snowy days 13 13 9 1 0.3 0 0 0 0 1 6 10 53
Average relative humidity (%) 84 82 78 68 68 66 60 60 68 77 84 84 73
Mean monthly sunshine hours 85 100 133 183 257 286 313 290 228 164 94 69 2,202
Source 1: Pogoda.ru.net[19]
Source 2: Climatebase.ru (sun) [20]

Notable people

Well-known Russians who have visited or resided in Stavropol include: Generals Alexander Suvorov (1730–1800), Alexey Yermolov (1777–1861), and Nikolay Raevsky (1771—1829); the poets Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837)[21] and Mikhail Lermontov (1814–1841),[22] who were in political disfavor, the surgeon Nikolay Pirogov (1810—1881), Alexander Griboyedov (1795–1829),[23] Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910),[24] and the national poet of Ossetia, Kosta Khetagurov.[25]

The first and only executive president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev (1931-2022), was born in Stavropol Krai and spent several years working in the city of Stavropol as the head of the krai's administration. Gorbachev's chief mentor, long-time friend, and predecessor Yuri Andropov (1914–1984) was also born in Stavropol Krai.

Actor Lev Gorn (born 1971) star of The Americans, and Serge de Sazo (1915–2012) Russian born French photographer, were born in Stavropol.

An abbess of the Catholic Church of the Byzantine Rite, Serafima Meletieva was born in 1886 at Stavropol.

Piotr Mikhailovich Skarżyński (1744-1805), A Russian Major General. He served in the cavalry units of the Russian army and he commanded the Buzhan Cossacks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1791, he showed heroism during the assault on Ochakov and the defense of the Kinburn fortress. He was awarded the Order of St. George. He owned an estate in Stavropol where he made wine.[26]

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Russia

Stavropol is twinned with:[27]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Resolution #63-p
  2. ^ a b c Law #9-kz
  3. ^ a b Charter of Stavropol, Article 2
  4. ^ a b Энциклопедия Города России. Moscow: Большая Российская Энциклопедия. 2003. p. 438. ISBN 5-7107-7399-9.
  5. ^ a b Charter of Stavropol, Article 30
  6. ^ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1 [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service.
  7. ^ Error: Unable to display the reference properly. See the documentation for details.
  8. ^ a b c Law #88-kz
  9. ^ "Об исчислении времени". Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации (in Russian). June 3, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  10. ^ Почта России. Информационно-вычислительный центр ОАСУ РПО. (Russian Post). Поиск объектов почтовой связи (Postal Objects Search) (in Russian)
  11. ^ Stavropol Krai Territorial Branch of the Federal State Statistics Service. Численность населения муниципальных образований Ставропольского края на начало 2011-2015 гг. Archived February 28, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
  12. ^ Ageeva, R. A., Pospelov, E. M. (1998). Географические названия мира: топонимический словарь : свыше 5,000 единиц. Russia: Russkie slovari.
  13. ^ "Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации". Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c "Stavropol". stavmed.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  15. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "История Ставропольского края". Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved January 13, 2008.
  17. ^ Decree of January 12, 1943
  18. ^ "Biorepository: Stavropol Botanical Garden". biocol.org. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  19. ^ "Weather and Climate – The Climate of Stavropol" (in Russian). Weather and Climate (Погода и климат). Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  20. ^ "Climate of Stavropol". Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  21. ^ Morfill, William Richard (1911). "Pushkin, Alexander" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 22 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 668–669.
  22. ^ Shedden-Ralston, William Ralston (1911). "Lermontov, Mikhail Yurevich" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 484–485.
  23. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Griboyedov, Alexander Sergueevich" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 593.
  24. ^ Wright, Charles Theodore Hagberg (1911). "Tolstoy, Leo" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 1053–1061.
  25. ^ Stavropol - City
  26. ^ "Пионеры русского виноделия на Кавказе: Скаржинский".
  27. ^ "Intermunicipal cooperation". Official Stavropol website. Stavropol. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  28. ^ "DES MOINES SUSPENDS SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH STAVROPOL, RUSSIA". CITY OF DES MOINES, IOWA. Retrieved November 3, 2015.

Sources

External links

Administrative divisions of Stavropol Krai
Authority control databases
Categories