Shchyokino

Shchekino (Russian Щёкино, DIN transliteration Ščëkino ) is a Russian medium-sized town and Rajonzentrum with 58 139 inhabitants (as of October 14, 2010 ) in the Tula Oblast Federal District Central Federal District.

Geography

Shchekino is located in the central Russian coal mining area in the north of the Central Russian plate, some 200 km south of Moscow and 15 km south-west of the regional capital of Tula. The nearest towns are next to Tula Sowetsk (10 km southeast), Lipki (13 km southeast) and Bolochowo (21 km northeast). The natural surroundings of the town consists mainly of South Russia and Central Federal District Southern typical forest-steppe landscape, where wooded areas make up only about 13 % of the territory of Rajons Shchekino.

History

First settlements in the area of today's Shchekino emerged in the 1840s with the construction of a continuous road from Moscow to Tula by Orel. About two decades later, and the parallel railway line was put into operation, which is part of the route from Moscow to Kursk and Kharkov to Simferopol today. In the area of the present town was built in 1869 the Station Jassenki.

The foundation of the city proper began in 1870, when around the station began the industrial promotion of lignite. Beginning of the 20th century was already Shchekino a larger settlement with commercial and industrial enterprises. 1903 was also the station for the corresponding town name Shchekino.

In the 1930s Shchekino was declared the center of the Rajons same name, and received city rights in 1938. During World War II Shchekino was occupied during the battle of Moscow, although relatively short time ( from October to December 1941 ) by the Germans, but also suffered at this time nevertheless significant damage. In the 1950s, emerged in the city of new chemical plants based on lignite production.

Demographics

Note: Census data

Economy and Transport

In addition to mining, which now no longer has the original meaning, the chemical industry is another important industry in Shchekino, with three large companies - is represented - OAO Schtschokinoasot, AO Khimvolokno and Aost Sawod Kislotoupor. Significant is also a heat and power plant, which was commissioned in 1953.

Through the city's highway M2, which connects Moscow to the south of Russia, and the railway line Moscow - Tula Kurskaja - Kursk -Simferopol runs, at the Shchekino has a mainline train station.

Attractions

Shchekino has a local history museum. Near the town is the former Tolstoy estate and open-air museum " Yasnaya Polyana" one of the most important monuments of Tula Oblast.