Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk (1995 pop. 930,000 est.), seat of Krasnoyarsk Krai, is the second largest city in Siberia. It lies on the Yenisei River and is an important station on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The city was founded in 1628, as a fort on the frontier. Its growth was stimulated by the arrival of the Siberian Post Road, and later by the discovery of gold and by the railroad. It has been the administrative center of the region since 1934, and is also an industrial and cultural center. The major industries include aluminum production and ship-building.

A metro system is being constructed.