Tuapse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 44°06′N 39°04′E / 44.1, 39.067

Coat of arms of Tuapse
Coat of arms of Tuapse

Tuapse (Russian: Туапсе́; Adyghe: ТIуапсэ) is a town in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, situated on the northeast shore of the Black Sea, south of Gelendzhik and north of Sochi. It is the administrative center of Tuapsinsky District. Population: 64,238 (2002 Census);[1] 63,081 (1989 Census).[2] Tuapse is a sea port and the northern centre of a resort zone which extends south to Sochi.

Tuapse is a large centre for the Shapsugs, with about 10,000 speakers of the language living in Tuapse. The name of the town is itself Adyghe (tʷʼa.psə, or "two waters"), although it was also attested in early Greek sources as Topsida.

The modern settlement was founded in 1838 as the Russian fort of Velyaminovskoye. A year later, the Shapsugs occupied and razed it, but it was promptly rebuilt. During the Crimean War, the Ottomans seized the fort and held it for two years (1857-1859). Between 1875 and 1897 the village was known as Velyaminovsky Posad; it received municipal rights in 1916.

The Soviets developed Tuapse as an oil terminal and depot. An oil pipeline from Grozny and Maikop was in operation by 1928, designed by Vladimir Shukhov. An oil refinery dates from the same period. The Nazis attempted to seize its facilities during the Battle of the Caucasus, which caused major damage to the city.

The Russian Children Center Orlyonok (former All-Russian SFSR Young Pioneer camp) is located there. The world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik and 2005 Miss Universe winner, Natalie Glebova, were born in Tuapse.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек (Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000) (Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
  2. ^ Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров. (All Union Population Census of 1989. Present population of union and autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts and okrugs, krais, oblasts, districts, urban settlements, and villages serving as district administrative centers.) (Russian). Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года (All-Union Population Census of 1989). Demoscope Weekly (website of the Institute of Demographics of the State University—Higher School of Economics (1989). Retrieved on 2007-12-13.