The capital of Udmurtia, Izhevsk, has been a major industrial center for many years. It became one of the weapon centers of the Russian Empire at the beginning of the XIX century, and after the revolution it did not lose its significance. Nowadays, it remains the focus of weapons science and related research, and at the same time one of the largest Russian cities.
He is often called the “arms capital of Russia”, but this title is challenged by Tula. At the time of 2018, Izhevsk ranks 20th in the list of the largest cities of Russia. Izhevsk was founded more than 250 years ago, but the first settlements on the site where the city is located now existed more than 2500 years ago. It got its name in honor of the river Izh flowing here.
Before the fall of the Kazan Khanate, Izhevsk was part of this state. Later it became part of the Udmurt region, and now it is the capital of Udmurtia (interesting facts about Udmurtia). The name “Izh” are cars, tape recorders, motorcycles, produced at Izhevsk factories, as well as the brand of weapons. During the uprising of Yemelyan Pugachev, the rioters occupied Izhevsk for several days, partially destroying the weapons factory and the dam of the Izhevsk pond, the largest urban reservoir. The Tchaikovsky Music Festival is held in Izhevsk every year, since the great composer was born in this very city.
More than 300 objects on the territory of Izhevsk are recognized as a valuable cultural and historical heritage. In the middle of the 19th century, the Izhevsk Arms Factory was temporarily leased, and one of its leaders was Ludwig Nobel, who along with his brother Alfred founded the world-famous Nobel Prize. Izhevsk pond is one of the largest artificial reservoirs in Eastern Europe. Izhevsk itself is in the top 5 Russian cities in terms of the number of shopping centers and population.
Izhevsk became the first city of labor glory in Russia. About 42% of the population of Udmurtia lives here. Izhevsk is a multinational city. Here reside representatives of more than 100 nations. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Izhevsk, was +37 degrees, and the coldest -47.5 degrees.
