Filming and location scouting in Russian Krasnoyarsk Krai
Krasnoyarsk Krai is Russia’s second-biggest region. It has everything you expect to see in Siberia, including total wilderness, bears, and whole cities living in permafrost.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Geography and Weather
The region stretches 3,000 km (1,800 miles) from the deep-frozen coast of the Arctic Ocean in the extreme north to vast fertile plains in the south. Yenisei, one of the world’s biggest rivers both in length and discharge, crosses all the region.
The climate ranges from arctic to continental. In the north, the average temperature is -36˚C (-33˚F) in January and +10˚C (50˚F) in July. The south is much more pleasant, with the January average of -18˚C (0˚F) and +20˚C (68˚F) in July.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Nature
Taiga forest, dominated by coniferous trees, occupies 70% of the region. Vast areas are practically untouched by humans. There are huge populations of wild animals, including deer, polar and brown bears and rare species like snow leopards.
Krasnoyarsk Region: History
The first Russians discovered the region only in the 17th century. Prior to that, the vast steppes of the southern Krasnoyarsk Region have been populated by nomadic nations, including the ancestors of the Kyrgyzs. They even formed powerful states.
In the times of the Russian Empire, the authorities used to send political prisoners to the region as a punishment. Lenin and Stalin have spent years in exile in the Krasnoyarsk Region. In the Soviet times, the area became heavily industrialized. Huge hydroelectric stations and military plants have been built.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Cities
Krasnoyarsk is the capital and the biggest city of the region, with about 1 million population. Other notable cities include Norilsk, the world’s biggest city within the Arctic Circle and the restricted-access towns of Zheleznogorsk and Zelenogorsk that store and recycle nuclear fuel.
Krasnoyarsk Region: How to Get
Krasnoyarsk is located 4,200 km east of Moscow. Multiple daily flights connect the two cities. The flight takes about 5 hours. It’s also possible to fly to Krasnoyarsk from Beijing, Bangkok and Central Asian nations. Cities across the region and Siberia are connected with internal flights.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Population
The huge area of Krasnoyarsk Region is populated by only 2.8 million people. The vast majority of them live in the south. Nine out of ten people are Russian. There are only a few thousands of indigenous peoples like Dolgans and Evenks left. Some of them still live a traditional lifestyle.
Krasnoyarsk Region: Interesting Facts
- The mysterious 1908 Tunguska Event took place in the Krasnoyarsk Region. Explanations range from meteors to UFOs and Nikola Tesla’s experiments;
- Werner Herzog’s 2010 documentary Happy People: A Year in the Taiga about a community living a traditional lifestyle was shot in the Krasnoyarsk Region;
- The area is extremely rich in resources, especially nickel, cobalt and coal. Also, 95% of Russia’s platinum is deposited there;
- The closed city of Zheleznogorsk has a unique plant that stores and recycles nuclear waste. It’s located 200 meters (650 ft) underground within a mountain;
- Some of the most powerful hydropower dams are located in the region;
- Krasnoyarsk will host the 2019 Winter Universiade.
River in Evenkiya, North of Krasnoyarsk Region
Kochechum river
Mountain lake in the tundra
Lake in tundra near Norilsk
Mountains near Norilsk
Putorana Plateau near Norisk
Norilsk
The biggest city within the Arctic Circle
Norilsk at night
Norisk
Norilsk is one of the world's most polluted cities
Norilsk
Norilsk has a harsh winter that lasts from September to May. It's also extremely windy.
Forrest, killed by pollution near Norilsk
Krasnoyarsk
The bridge over Yenisey
Krasnoyarsk
The brodge over Yenisei
Krasnoyarsk
Bridge over Yenisei in the winter
Krasnoyarsk
View at night
Krasnoyarsk
Business center in central Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk in cloudy weather
Krasnoyarsk
Railway station
Krasnoyarsk
Opera and Ballet Theater
Krasnoyarsk
Typical view in the winter
Stolby (The Pillars) National Natural Reserve
Stolby, located near Krasnoyarsk, is a park with unique rock formations and wild nature.
Stolby
Winter view
Stolby
Stolby
Paraskeva Friday Church
A XIX-century wooden church within an hour from Krasnoyarsk
Hydro power plant
Summer view
Siberian village
Typical view
Sunset in the winter
In the winter, trees get completely covered in snow
Zelenogorsk in snowy weather
River in Evenkiya, North of Krasnoyarsk Region
Kochechum river
Mountain lake in the tundra
Lake in tundra near Norilsk
Mountains near Norilsk
Putorana Plateau near Norisk
Norilsk
The biggest city within the Arctic Circle
Norilsk at night
Norisk
Norilsk is one of the world's most polluted cities
Norilsk
Norilsk has a harsh winter that lasts from September to May. It's also extremely windy.
Forrest, killed by pollution near Norilsk
Krasnoyarsk
The bridge over Yenisey
Krasnoyarsk
The brodge over Yenisei
Krasnoyarsk
Bridge over Yenisei in the winter
Krasnoyarsk
View at night
Krasnoyarsk
Business center in central Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk in cloudy weather
Krasnoyarsk
Railway station
Krasnoyarsk
Opera and Ballet Theater
Krasnoyarsk
Typical view in the winter
Stolby (The Pillars) National Natural Reserve
Stolby, located near Krasnoyarsk, is a park with unique rock formations and wild nature.
Stolby
Winter view
Stolby
Stolby
Paraskeva Friday Church
A XIX-century wooden church within an hour from Krasnoyarsk
Hydro power plant
Summer view
Siberian village
Typical view
Sunset in the winter
In the winter, trees get completely covered in snow
Zelenogorsk in snowy weather