Zhukovka, Bryansk Oblast

Zhukovka (Russian Жуковка ) is a town in Bryansk Oblast (Russia) with 18 269 inhabitants (as of October 14, 2010 ).

Geography

The city is located about 60 km north-west of Bryansk Oblasthauptstadt on the left bank of the Desna, a left tributary of the Dnieper River, at the mouth of the river Wetma.

Zhukovka is the administrative center of the homonymous Rajons.

History

Zhukovka was created in 1868 in connection with the railroad between Bryansk and Smolensk as a station settlement, named after the owner of the lands Zhukov.

1894 opened an iron foundry was the first major company.

On 31 October 1931, the status of an urban-type settlement and on 30 August 1962 was awarded its town charter.

Demographics

Note: from 1959 census data

Culture and sights

At 30 km southeast in Rajon Zhukovka village Wschtschisch ( Вщиж ) probably existed since the 9th century an eponymous ancient Russian town that was mentioned in documents in 1142. Belonging to the early 12th century to the lands of the Smolensk prince Svyatoslav Vladimirovich and Perejaslawer ( son Vladimir Monomakh ), it was then the center of a small autonomous principality in 1238 but destroyed by the Mongols. During excavations in the 1840s and 1940s remains of stone buildings, including a church, defense buildings and craft and art objects were discovered.

In the village Owstug a Feodor - Tjuttschew Museum is located. The poet and diplomat, was born there in 1803.

Economy and infrastructure

In Zhukovka there is a factory for bicycles (brand Desna ), a furniture and a machine factory.

The city lies on the opened on this section in 1868 railway Smolensk - Bryansk - Orel (then part of the Riga - Orjoler railway). Here a line branches off to the 43 km distant Kletnja.

The A141 trunk road Smolensk - Bryansk - Orel leads ten kilometers southeast past Zhukovka.

From Zhukovka the Desna is navigable, but is used only irregularly for inland navigation.