Totma

Tot'ma (Russian Тотьма ) is a city in North-West Russia. It is located in the Vologda Oblast and has 9785 inhabitants (as of October 14, 2010 ).

Geography

The city is located about 220 km northwest of the Oblasthauptstadt Vologda on the Sukhona, the left source river of the Northern Dvina. The nearest town is 103 km south of Soligalitsch Tot'ma.

Tot'ma is the administrative center of the homonymous Rajons.

History

Tot'ma was first mentioned in 1137 in a certificate of Novgorod. At that time, the town was a few miles down river and was subordinate to the Novgorod prince. However, the place name is Finno-Ugric origin, suggesting, together with appropriate archaeological finds to the original settlement of the present city area by Merja and related strains.

After the 15th or 16th century on the Sukhona salt deposits were opened up, Tot'ma was built on the present site as new Posad. Despite raids by Tatars Tot'ma obtained by salt extraction and the location on a trade economic impact that continued to develop over the next few centuries: So here salt were produced annually in the 17th century about 300 tons. The economic prosperity Totmas allowed the construction of new churches and the partially preserved until today Sumorin monastery in the 16th century.

Also, through the development of various crafts reached Tot'ma until the 18th century the height of his heyday. In 1780 it received city rights, and nine years later own coat of arms. The well-known merchants Totmas It was also funded a number of North Sea expeditions under the Russian flag in the late 18th century ( including the journey of also dating Tot'ma sailor Ivan Kuskow, the Russian fortress founded Fort Ross in California).

From the end of the 18th century Tot'ma lost its former importance since the ancient trade routes on which it lay, were not as widely used. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the city served as the place of exile, as well as for known revolutionaries like Lunacharsky or Molotov.

1937 Tot'ma and the associated district was incorporated in the Vologda Oblast.

Demographics

Note: Census data (1926-1939 rounded)

Economy

Tot'ma has relatively little industry: There are among other forestry companies as well as smaller manufacturers in the light industry and the food industry. Near Tot'ma runs a natural gas pipeline. The former salt production today has hardly any significance.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Ivan Babuschkin (1873-1906), Revolutionary
• Ivan Kuskow (1765-1823), sailor
• Antoni Wiwulski (1877-1919), architect and sculptor