Kostomuksha is a town in the northwest of the Republic of Karelia,
Russia, located 30
kilometers (19 mi) from the border with Finland, on the shore of Lake Kontoki.
Population: 28,436 (2010 Census).
History
It was established in 1977 as an urban-type
settlement and populated by people from various regions of the Soviet Union.
It was mostly built by Finnish building
companies, according to an agreement between the Soviet and Finnish
governments. Town status was granted to it in 1983. The town was later expanded
by Soviet building companies but maintaining plenty of green areas.
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative
divisions, it is, together with six rural localities, incorporated as the town
of republic significance of Kostomuksha—an administrative unit with the status
equal to that of the districts.As a municipal division, the town of republic
significance of Kostomuksha is incorporated as Kostomukshsky Urban Okrug.
Economy
The iron ore refinery (JSC Karelsky okatysh,
or Karelian Pellet) operates the Kostomuksha mine and employs approximately
five thousand people and associated mining has left a huge hole near the
factory. Wiring harness ("AEK" LLC) and electronics
("Electrokos" LLC) factories are part of Finnish company PKC Group
Oyj. Other important industries include timber and furniture making. A wood
processing complex being developed by Swedwood (an industrial group within
IKEA) will include a sawmill, chip-board and furniture factory.
Nature
There is a large national park near the
town with a reindeer population and a beaver population of Canadian origin,
which were introduced in Finland
and have migrated over into Russian territory. Part of the national park
extends into Finnish territory. Tourism and recreational activities within the
national park are prohibited.
Culture and
recreation
Every summer there is a chamber music
festival to which musicians, orchestras and theater groups come from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and
other parts of Russia.
In summer, the town enjoys more than two months of uninterrupted sunlight and
many inhabitants spend time at their dachas, typically situated on the banks of
one of the many lakes in the vicinity, which also attract anglers due to their
large fish populations. As in Finland,
saunas are very popular. In winter, skiing and biathlon are popular. Most visitors come
from Finland.
