The city of Krasnoyarsk standing on the Yenisey River is one of the most popular tourist spots and is one of the oldest towns in Siberia. It was founded in 1628 as a trading post. The favorable geographic location and the discovery of gold led to its development as a major river port and industrial center.

Krasnoyarsk citizens are proud of the famous Nature Reserve ‘Stolby’ - the rocks of volcanic origin where the rock climbers can practice their skills. The ‘Stolby’ Reserve is close to the city. The Krasnoyarsk Territory is home to over 450 plant species, over 340 bird species and 90 different animal species, like the snowy panther, snowy Putoran ram, the Arctic fox and the stoat. Still mostly wild land, the Krasnoyarsk Territory has 6 State Nature Preserves. Siberia is also a paradise for speleologists thanks to many scenic and picturesque caves.

The region is known as a native land of the leading 19th century Russian painter Vasily Surikov who was born in Krasnoyarsk and lived here. The Surikov Museum-Estate and Surikov Art Musuem are major sightseeing spots of the city.

Ethnic composition

Ethnic composition of the Krasnoyarsk Territory is diverse and is comprised of over 100 nationalities and ethnic groups: Russians – 87%, Ukrainians – 3,5%, Tatars – 2%, Germans – 1,5%, Chvash – 0,7%, Mordva – 0,5%, Northern peoples – 0,4%, Khakass – 0,2%, other nationalities – 3,3%.

In 2005 the territories of Evenk and Taymyr Autonomous area were merged in the Krasnoyarsk territory.

Taymyr Peninsula, beyond the Arctic Circle, offers a host of possibilities if you really want to get off the beaten track. This most northerly part of the Russian mainland has a winter ‘night’ two months long, with temperatures staying below freezing for eight months, and a summer ‘day’ lasting nearly three months.

The Taymyr has over 400,000 wild reindeer, and over 13,000 sq km of the peninsula’s tundra form the Taymyr Nature Reserve, Russia’s second-biggest and world’s northernmost. The true wonder of the region is the Putorana Plateau with a range of glacier-worn mountains of volcanic origin, waterfalls and canyons.

Taymyr is one of the few places in the world where one can contemplate the Northern Morning sparkling with fantastic colors and never yet seen shades.

Dolgans and Nganasans (Indigenous Peoples of the Taymyr Peninsula)

Taymyr is a severe and enigmatic land. Its nature is so magnificent and diverse. Yet the culture of indigenous peoples inhabiting the region is even more rich and diverse. Dolgans, Nenets, Nganasans and Evenks have their own way of life and traditions that has been preserved untouched since their arrival to this land.

Nganasans live only on the territory of the Taymyr Peninsula. It used to be the most northern people of the world that managed to adjust to severe climatic conditions of Taymyr. According to the latest population census, there were only 849 Nganasans living in the region.

Dolgans is a small people inhabiting the northernmost territories of Russia. From the anthropological point of view, Dolgans (and their closest neighbors - Yakuts) are close to Central Asia Mongolian race with the tinge of the Baikal (Tungus) anthropological type.

The language of Dolgans is a special dialect of the Yakut language. They are also often called the most northern Turkic people of the world. The first information about Dolgans appeared in 1841.

Dolgans are engaged mostly in hunting, deer herding and fishing. Women wear Yakut dresses, but Dolgans' costumes are more richly decorated, according to their traditions. The combination of different ethnic motives is also typical for Dolgans' folklore and world look.