Magnitogorsk overview
Magnitogorsk (also known as Magnitka) is the second largest city of Chelyabinsk region and one of the largest in the world centers of ferrous metallurgy.
The city is located in the south-western part of Chelyabinsk oblast, close to the boundary with Bashkiria, on both banks of the river Ural - both in Asia and Europe.
Magnitogorsk is situated 420 km away from Chelyabinsk by train, 308 km by car. Distance from Moscow is 1,916 km by train and 2,200 km by car.
Magnitogorsk population is about 412,000 (2012), land area - 392 sq. km.
The phone code is +7 3519; postal codes - 455000-455049.
Magnitogorsk history
The first train with the builders arrived from the town Kartaly to the station “Magnitogorskaya” on June 30th, 1929. This date became the birthday of Magnitogorsk city.
One of the main reasons for the metallurgic city forming was the presence of richest iron ore resources in the mountain Magnitnaya, due to it a Cossack stanitsa (settlement) was constructed there in the year of 1743.
On a small territory nature concentrated hundreds of millions tons of the richest ores (content of iron is about 60%), located not deep, sometimes just on the surface.
Rich deposit of iron ore, large rivers Ural and Belaya, a possibility to construct roads in steppes which lead to Kuzbas coal - these were the reasons for founding a city in southern Urals.
The first blast-furnace was founded in July 1930. It has been in the way that metallurgical plant was built on the left Asian bank of the river Ural and the city grew on the right bank, in Europe.
Magnitogorsk features
There are over 1,300 industrial plants in Magnitogorsk, the main one is Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (“Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Kombinat” or “MMK”).
There are two universities in the city: technical one (NMSTU), which prepares specialists for group of metallurgical enterprises, and conservatoire, which provides the city, the region and the area with musicians and through its students is famous within Russia and abroad.
Magnitogorsk interesting facts
Magnitogorsk is often called “Magnitka”. In colloquial speech this is the name of Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) and the city newspaper “Magnitogorsk Worker”.
In informal list of Russian capitals Magnitogorsk is called “metallurgical capital of Russia”.
The airport of the city, mountain skiing centers in Abzakovo and the lake Bannoye are located not on the territory of Chelyabinsk region, but on the territory of Bashkortostan Republic.
Magnitogorsk is the 4th largest city (after Tolyatti, Naberezhnye Chelny and Novokuznetsk) in Russia which is not an administrative center of any Russian region.
It is one of 12 cities in the world located in 2 world parts. The river Ural flows across Magnitogorsk and divides it into 2 parts called as the “Left Bank” and the “Right Bank”. The boundary between Asia and Europe goes along the river Ural, that is the Left bank is located in Asia and the Right bank - in Europe.
During the World War II, the turrets for tanks IS-2 and T-34 (85) were produced at Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. According to the statistical information every second Soviet tank and every third shell during the war was produced of Magnitogorsk steel.
Magnitogorsk attractions
Among the main places of interest of Magnitogorsk are:
- Monument “Home-front to front”
- Memorial complex with Glory Alley in the green area along the river Ural
- “Stalin” architecture of the old Leninsky district as it is
- Monument to the first tent
- Square with the chiming clock at the building of Magnitogorsk administration.
Also such places as A.S.Pushkin drama theater, opera and ballet theater, puppet theater “Buratino”, children art school and picture gallery, city museums, music house are well-known.
Theater and music festivals are held every year, modern art festival “Another reality” makes the citizens acquainted with the best Russian and foreign artists, music, theater and dance groups.
All Russia has heard about Magnitogorsk mountain skiing centers: in Abzakovo and the lake Bannoye everyone can rest and do some sports. Also competitions of all levels are held there - from the oblast to international ones.
