Population of the Smolensk region: size and ethnic composition

“The city is great and full of people” - this is how the Ustyuzhan Chronicle of the 9th century describes the glorious ancient Smolensk. This is the very first mention of the glorious Smolensk region. For the second millennium, an ancient Russian city has been standing on the banks of the Dnieper, which has become a major regional center. Traveling through these places becomes a real discovery of the glorious region. Not only the nature and architecture are surprising, but also the population of the Smolensk region. Guests here are always greeted warmly, with Russian grandeur.

Location of the Smolensk region

The western borders of the Russian land are framed by the glorious Smolensk lands, which can be compared to a wise old warrior guarding peace. And, indeed, more than once this heroic city became a shield for Russia. Smolensk itself is located in the upper reaches of the Dnieper River at a distance of 365 km from Moscow. The Smolensk region is a subject of the Russian Federation and is part of the Central Federal District.

The city, which originated on seven hills, along which the trade route from the “Varyags to the Greeks” passed, became the center of many settlements. Today, the Smolensk region has a common border with the Bryansk, Pskov, Moscow, Kaluga, and Tver regions. Belarus adjoins the Smolensk region with the Vitebsk and Mogilev regions. The region was formed in 1937.

The spread of coronavirus in Russian regions as of December 9, 2021

Brief description of the area

The Smolensk region occupies about 50,000 km in the center of the East European Plain. There are both highlands and lowlands here. The climate here is moderate continental, as the climate zone is temperate. Driving through this area, you can observe wavy surfaces, hilly areas, and river valleys.

On the territory of the Smolensk region there are many minerals of sedimentary origin. Here you can encounter deposits of brown coal, peat, rock salt, loam, and clay. Nature has not deprived these lands of healing mud and mineral waters. Sometimes there are deposits of rock crystal, silicon, ore, and ocher. Peat reserves in this area are very large. Sand, gravel, and gypsum are mined here for construction work.

In winter the temperature here is moderately frosty, in summer it is warm and rainy. Such tributaries of the Dnieper as the Vyazma, Vop, Desna, and Sozh flow through the region. From here such large rivers as the Volga and Oka, into which the Vazuza and Ugra flow, also replenish their water reserves.

The main area of ​​the Smolensk region is occupied by sod-podzolic soils. Sometimes there are sandy and loamy areas. There are many forests, meadows, and swamps in this region. Cultivated plants are widely planted. The main representatives of forests are spruce, birch, and aspen. Oaks, maples, ash trees, and linden trees are slightly less represented. The fauna here is represented by many species of mammals and birds. About 50 species of fish are found in local reservoirs.

People associated with the area[ | ]

Famous personalities[ | ]

• Borisov Pavel Arefievich - Director of the Moscow Geological Prospecting Institute, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Geology of the USSR, Head of the Personnel Department of the USSR Academy of Sciences (Gryazenyat village)
• Kondrusev, Semyon Mikhailovich - corps commander (Epishevo village)
• Konokhov Nikolai Grigorievich - Major General of the Chemical Service (Pavlovka village)
• Leshchinin, Vasily Andreevich - corps commander (Novo-Danilovka village)
• Maksimovsky, Stepan Vasilievich - corps commander (Novo-Pavlovo village)
• Panov, Andrey Dmitrievich - First Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Committee of the USSR - Minister of the USSR, Deputy Chairman of the Bureau of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Fuel and Transport (all part-time positions), General Mining Director of the 1st rank (Gryazenyat village)
• Esipovich, Yakov Grigorievich - statesman of the Russian Empire, senator, writer.

Heroes of the Soviet Union[ | ]

• Golovlev, Leonid Iosifovich (Bolshie Kirill village)
• Grishin, Ivan Tikhonovich (Vnukovichi village)
• Dobrynin, Mikhail Semyonovich (Vorobievka village)
• Petrunin, Evdokim Fedorovich (Sysoevka village)
• Prasolov, Mikhail Vasilievich (village of Zhilino)
• Sterin, Efim Ilyich (Prigorye village)
• Titov, Fedor Frolovich (Kholupovka village)
• Fomchenkov, Konstantin Fedorovich (Durovshchiny village)
• Shcherbakov, Alexander Fedorovich

Full Knights of the Order of Glory[ | ]

• Amikov, Vladimir Ivanovich (village of Sidorki)
• Epifanov, Ivan Nikolaevich (Nikiforovskoye village)
• Osipenkov, Leonid Sergeevich (village of Stary Krupets)
• Panov, Ivan Grigorievich (village of Ponyaty)

Heroes of Socialist Labor[ | ]

• Bizyukov, Ivan Egorovich (village of Lakhi)
• Glebov, Afanasy Vasilievich (Aleksandrovskoye village)
• Emelyanova, Ksenia Ilyinichna (Dobrolyubovo village)
• Efremov, Mikhail Evdokimovich (Buda village)
• Konenkov, Sergey Timofeevich (village of Karakovichi)
• Solovyova, Evgenia Fedorovna (Zaploskoye village)
• Khrapchenko, Mikhail Borisovich (Chizhovka village)
• Shikov, Anatoly Ivanovich (Bakharevka village)

Historical information

Initially, the Krivichi lived on the lands of the Smolensk region; the population of the Smolensk region originates from them. Then the city was under the control of Kievan Rus for a long time. The heyday of the Smolensk Principality occurred in the 12th century. For some time, part of the lands was part of the Lithuanian Principality, and later they were annexed by the Moscow Principality. The final transition of the Smolensk lands to the Russian state occurred after the Russian-Polish confrontations. This is how the Smolensk province arose in the 18th century.

At the beginning of the Soviet period, some part of the Smolensk region was part of the Belarusian SSR. And since 1937 it has acquired modern borders.

Population of the Smolensk region

The 2010 All-Russian Census found that out of 18 regions of the Central District of the Federation, the Smolensk Territory took 16th place. The population of the Smolensk region then amounted to 985,500 people. During historical events, this figure changed very often. According to Rosstat, in 2013 the population density of the Smolensk region was 19.59 people per sq. km. The decrease in density was once greatly influenced by urbanization.

The urban population significantly exceeds the number of rural residents. So this ratio is equal to 72% of urban residents to 28% of the rural population. The number of women in relation to men is also significantly higher. The number of women is currently 536,900, and men - 448,600.

In the capital of the region, the city of Smolensk, according to estimates as of January 2017, 328,906 people live.

Municipal-territorial structure[ | ]

The municipal district includes 10 municipalities, including 1 urban settlement and 9 rural settlements[19]

Initially, by the Law of the Smolensk Region of December 28, 2004, 22 municipalities were formed as part of the municipal district, including 1 urban and 21 rural settlements. By the Law of the Smolensk Region of December 20, 2021, by January 1, 2019, 12 rural settlements were abolished: Bogdanovskoye and Ivanovskoye (included in the Ekimovichskoye rural settlement), Lesnikovskoye and Khoroshovskoye (included in the Astapkovichskoye rural settlement), Roslavlskoye (included in the Osterskoye rural settlement) . 20].

Settlements[ | ]

The Roslavl district includes 305 settlements, including 1 urban settlement (the city of Roslavl) and 304 rural settlements[21].

Population of the Smolensk region by city and district

The largest city in the Smolensk region, of course, is the capital of the region - Smolensk. The size of this city was mentioned above. The second largest is the glorious regional center of Vyazma, where 54,259 people live. Following it is the city of Roslavl with a population of 51,775 inhabitants. The regional centers of Yartsevo and Safonovo are almost identical in number of people (46,219 and 43,727). The city of Gagarin has a population of 26,916 people, and Desnogorsk has a population of 28,518. Here are other, less populated cities in the Smolensk region by population:

• Rudnya - 9,650.
• Yelnya - 9 460.
• Repairs - 8,684.
• Sychevka - 8,246.
• Velizh - 7,078.
• Demidov - 6,585.
• Spirituality - 4,125.

The population of the districts of the Smolensk region has the following indicators:

• Velizh district - 11,114.
• Vyazemsky district - 77,359.
• Gagarinsky district - 45,940.
• Glinkovsky district - 4,404.
• Demidovsky district - 12 310.
• Dorogobuzhsky district - 27,376.
• Dukhovshchinsky district - 15,484.
• Elninsky district - 13,846.
• Ershichi district - 6,444.
• Kardymovsky district - 12,499.
• Krasninsky district - 12,269.
• Monastyrshchinsky district - 9,472.
• Novoduginsky district - 9 603.
• Pochinkovsky district - 29,851.
• Roslavl district - 71,990.
• Rudnyansky district - 23,562.
• Safonovsky district - 58,803.
• Smolensk district - 53,889.
• Sychevsky district - 13,807.
• Temkinsky district - 5,971.
• Ugransky district - 8,190.
• Khislavichsky district - 8 106.
• Kholm-Zhirkovsky district - 9,754.
• Shumyachsky district - 9,909.
• Yartsevo district - 54,231.

Roslavl

Foundation of the city

Roslavl is one of the most ancient and at the same time most little-known cities in Russia. The first mention of this city dates back to 1137. According to legend, the original name of the city was Rostislavl. The city received its current name only in 1755. And the founder, according to ancient legends, was Prince Rostislav Mstislavich. Shortly before the founding of the city, the prince conquered the Radimichi and annexed their lands to his own. Rostislavl was supposed to become a stronghold of princely power.

The main population of the city were representatives of Prince Rostislav. The city was located far from trade routes and could not be a center for the development of crafts and trade. From 1197 to 1206, the city experienced economic growth. This may be evidence of the presence of the prince in Rostislavl.

Roslavl in the XIII–XVII centuries

But the prosperity ended in the 13th century. The Smolensk prince constantly quarreled with the feudal boyars. This weakened the military and economic power of the principality, which soon split into fiefs that were constantly at war with each other. Roslavl, as a result, found itself on the southern outskirts of the appanage principality. The Smolensk lands, already weakened by the pestilence of 1231-1232, suffered from constant civil strife, losing their remaining strength. The Lithuanian neighbors, who had long planned to seize the Smolensk principality, were finally able to carry out their plans. In 1239, Lithuanian feudal lords managed to capture Roslavl and Rudnya. The inhabitants of the principality were still able to recapture Roslavl by turning to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, the Vladimir-Suzdal prince, for help. However, in 1258, Lithuanian feudal lords again attempted to capture the city. Roslavl and its surroundings were thoroughly devastated, but Lithuanian power failed to establish itself in the city.

In 1286, Roslavl was captured by the Bryansk appanage prince Roman. The prince wanted to subjugate the entire Smolensk principality to his power. Roman took advantage of the help of the Tatars. However, he failed to implement his plans. The prince's Smolensk brother, Alexander, was able to defend his right to occupy his throne. The Roslavl inheritance regained its independence for some time.

However, already in 1339 the Tatars invaded the Smolensk principality. Roslavl was one of the first to suffer. The Tatars were unable to capture the principality, but the border towns were burned and plundered. Now the threat came from the Lithuanian feudal lords. The feudal lords failed to capture the principality entirely. But the border cities, including Roslavl, were conquered. The Smolensk princes repeatedly tried to return the captured cities. It cost many people their lives. The final subordination of the principality to the Lithuanian feudal lords occurred under Prince Vytautas. For many years, the residents of Roslavl had to pay numerous taxes to the Lithuanian prince. Taxes had to be paid not only in money, but also in products: meat, grain, honey, etc. However, repayment in money was preferable. It could replace honey, grain and other products. Very often the replacement was forced. In addition to the tax to the Lithuanian prince, the population also had to pay the Smolensk ruler. The power of the Smolensk prince was recognized as weak.

To be freed from foreign rule, it was necessary to come under the authority of the Moscow princes. However, it wasn't that simple. It was possible to achieve the intended goal only after three long and bloody wars. In 1514, the troops of Vasily III were able to recapture the Smolensk principality. However, Roslavl and several other cities continued to remain in the hands of the Lithuanian boyars. The city managed to come under the rule of the Moscow princes only in 1522.

When, it would seem, the well-being of the Smolensk principality was restored, the Livonian War became another devastating disaster. Lithuanian feudal lords continued to advance on the western borders, repeatedly violating them. In 1563, one of the Lithuanian detachments managed to break through to Roslavl. However, the city residents successfully repelled the enemy attack.

Less than half a century later, Roslavl had to confront a new enemy. In 1610, the city was captured by the Poles and was no longer subordinate to the Russian sovereign, but to the King of Poland, Sigismund III, becoming part of the Smolensk Voivodeship of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Roslavl boyars themselves gave power into the hands of the Polish king, considering the enemy too strong. After the plunder of the city by the Poles, the boyars went with a bow to Sigismund, who stood near Smolensk. The king immediately took power and appointed Janusz Porycki as head of Roslavl. However, Polish rule did not last long. Already in 1654, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich made a successful military campaign, as a result of which Roslavl was annexed to the rest of the Russian lands.

Roslavl after the October Revolution

During the October Revolution, the small town took an active part in revolutionary actions. The news of the change of power reached, first of all, the railway workers. They were immediately joined by oil mill workers. Having seized power in the city, they began to completely disarm the policeman and the gendarmerie. The Bolshevik organization that arose in the city after the liquidation of the power of the policeman and the gendarmerie was headed by the Roslavl doctor N. N. Konopatsky. The tasks of this organization included, first of all, work with the population, who needed to explain the essence of Lenin’s postulates.

Stalin's five-year plans also left their mark on the history of the city. Its administrative position changed several times. In 1929, Roslavl became the administrative center of the Roslavl Okrug, which included 11 rural districts. However, a year later, in 1930, the status of the city was changed due to the abolition of the administrative-territorial division. Now Roslavl became the center of the rural district of Zapadny (which eventually changed its name to the Smolensk region). Then Roslavl becomes a city of regional subordination. Since then, the administrative position of the city has not changed.

The economic heyday of Roslavl occurred precisely during the period of Stalin’s five-year plans. Many factories and enterprises that closed before or after the revolution were reconstructed and modernized. In 1929, a vegetable drying plant was put into operation, which had no analogues in the entire Smolensk region. In 1931, a machine and tractor workshop appeared in the city. And at the end of the 1930s, a poultry processing plant and a glass factory appeared in Roslavl.

The Great Patriotic War

During the Great Patriotic War, Roslavl, like many years ago for the Lithuanian feudal lords, became one of the main targets of the Nazi army. The city was captured at the very beginning of the war, in 1941. Fascist aircraft bombed most of the city. With the advent of the new “government,” life in the city stopped: clubs, cinemas, factories, and factories were closed. A small part of the population managed to leave Roslavl before the arrival of the Nazis. However, the majority decided to remain in their homes. The new order again made the residents of Roslavl dependent on the foreign invader. The fascist “rule” lasted 2 years. On September 25, 1943, Soviet troops entered the city and liberated it from the Nazis.

Modern Roslavl is a city with a population of 54.9 thousand people. The city is the administrative center of the Roslavl district of the Smolensk region.

Latest Population Counts

The population of the Smolensk region in 2021 was 958,600 people. As of January 1 of this year, there were 690,000 (72%) urban residents, 268,600 (28%) rural residents. It should be noted that the western regions of the region are more populated than the rest. The smallest population is in the eastern regions (Temkinsky, Ugransky). The number of children and adolescents is 336,000. The population of the Smolensk region in 2021 decreased by 6,000 people compared to 2015.

Population[ | ]

Urbanization
In urban conditions - in the city of Roslavl (48,228 [5] people, 2021) - 73.09% of the district's population live.

Natural attractions

To preserve natural complexes, as well as for scientific purposes, the Smolensk Lake District was created in the region. This reserve received this name because of the 35 lakes that are part of it. Each of them is famous for its unique beauty. Visitors to the Smolensk Lake District plunge into a fabulous atmosphere. There are many historical monuments located on the territory of the reserve. One of them is the ancient ancient Russian city of Verzhavsk, which flourished in the 9th-12th centuries.

These amazingly beautiful places are also associated with the great traveler and explorer of Asian lands - N. M. Przhevalsky. Many tourists and locals know the famous spring called the “Holy Well”.

Architectural monuments

Among the most ancient architectural buildings in Smolensk, one can highlight the stone fortress. It was built under the leadership of Tsar Fyodor Ioanovich, since in the 16th-17th centuries territorial disputes arose between the Principality of Moscow and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. About 30,000 hired workers were used for this construction. This architectural monument consists of fortress walls and 38 towers, some of them reaching 33 meters in height. This is the most powerful wall of Russian times. The construction was supervised by the famous Smolensk master Fyodor Kon.

In the Smolensk region, like no other, monuments of Russian culture of the pre-Mongol period have been preserved. Here you can find works in the Baroque style, as well as unsurpassed examples of church construction.

In Smolensk there are several memorial signs and complexes that capture the memory of many military events. Also, many monumental monuments dedicated to famous fellow countrymen appeared here. “The green necklace of the city” is what the residents of Smolensk call their parks and squares.

Major museums and Orthodox churches

Many people have heard of the village of Boldino, in the Smolensk region. Very often tourists go there on excursions. One of the oldest and most beautiful objects here is the Holy Trinity Monastery. It was founded by the Venerable Gerasim of Boldinsky back in the 6th century. This temple has already been restored several times, but it also continues to delight its visitors.

In the village of Novospasskoye, Smolensk region, there is the museum-estate of M. I. Glinka, where he once lived. This estate is the only monument dedicated to the famous Russian composer. The estate consists of a main two-story house, a kitchen annex, a guest room, a bakery, a carriage house, beautiful gazebos and a family temple. Very often guests of the estate hear the enchanting sounds of a piano.

In the village of Khmelita, Smolensk region, the former estate of the Griboyedov family has been preserved. Some features of this building can be recognized in his immortal comedy “Woe from Wit”. The palace and park ensemble includes a stone house, 4 outbuildings, a park with alleys, 2 ponds and a temple.

Between the villages of Gnezdovo and Katyn, Smolensk region, the Katyn memorial complex is located. For a very long time during the Soviet period, this place was not mentioned, since tragic events took place here in 1940. It was in the local forest that several tens of thousands of Polish officers and other prisoners were shot. The memorial complex is very young; it was opened in 2000. The main entrance to the memorial is made in the form of glass gates. In the center of the complex there is a high Orthodox cross, from which there is a Memory Alley.

A lot of churches were built in the Smolensk region, but from the pre-Mongol period only three have survived: the Intercession Church, the Assumption Cathedral, the temple of St. Sergius in the church of the Ascension Monastery.