General information about Tatarstan
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Capital: the city of Kazan
President: Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov
Total area: 68,0 thous.sq.km
797 km far from Moscow
Population: 4, 001 million people
State languages: Russian, Tatar
Administrative division: 43 municipal, 14 cities of republican subordination and 8 cities of regional subordination.
Location
Tatarstan is situated in the heart of the Russian Federation on the East European plain in the confluence of two rivers – the Volga and the Kama. Tatarstan shares borders with Bashkortostan, Chuvash, Mari El and Udmurtia republics, as well as with the Samara, Ulyanovsk, Kirov and Orenburg regions. The territory extends for 290 km from north to south and for 460 km from west to east. Tatarstan has no borders with foreign countries.
Climate
The climate is moderately continental. The average temperature in January (the coldest month) – 14 °С, in July (the warmest month) – +19 °С. Average amount of precipitation is 460 to 520 mm.
Geography and natural resources
The territory of the republic is an undulating plain in the forest and forest-steppe zones with minor uplands on the right bank of the Volga River and in the south-east of the republic. 90% of the whole territory lies at an elevation of less than 200 m above sea level.
The Republic of Tatarstan is rich in oil. The Republic disposes 800 million tons of recoverable oil. Associated gas is produced along with oil. The Republic is also disposes workable reserves of limestone, dolomites, building sand, clay for brick manufacturing, building stone, gypsum, sand-gravels, peat.
Flora and soil
More than 16% of the republic territory is covered with forests consisting of foliage species of trees (oak, linden, birch, aspen), coniferous species is represented by pine tree and spruce. Local fauna is inhabited by 430 species of vertebrates and several hundred species of invertebrates. The soil varies from grey forest and podsolic in the northern and western parts to various kinds of black soil in the southern part of the republic (32 per cent of the area).
Waters
The greatest rivers are the Volga and the Kama, and two confluents of the Kama River – Vyatka and Belaya, and more than 500 small rivers and a lot of brooks are flowing on the republic territory. Large stock of water resources is concentrated in two largest water storage reservoirs – Kuibyshevskiy and Nizhnekamskiy. There are more than 8 thous. small lakes and ponds as well.
Population and religion
Tatarstan is one of the most multi-ethnic areas of Russia. Representatives of over 115 ethnic groups live in the republic, including 8 nationalities, the number of which exceeds 10 thousand people: Tatars, Russians, Chuvashes, Udmurts, Mordovians, Maris, Ukrainians and Bashkirs.
People with various historical and cultural traditions live in the republic. The combination of at least three types of cultural interaction (Turkic, Slavic-Russian and Finno-Ugric) defines the uniqueness of this area, identity of cultural and historical values.
The traditional religions of the republic are Islam and Christianity. Tatars and Bashkirs (i.e. nearly half of the population of the republic) confess Islam. The other part of population – Russians, Chuvashes, Maris, Udmurts, Mordovians are Orthodox Christians. Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism and other confessions are also presented in Tatarstan.
Transport network
The Republic of Tatarstan has a developed transport network. There are highways, railways, airlines, four navigable rivers: the Volga, the Kama, the Vyatka and the Belaya, oil and gas pipelines.
The major railways are the principal lines passing through the cities of Zelenodolsk, Kazan, Agryz (a part of the road Moscow – Yekaterinburg) and through oil producing areas of the south-east part of the republic (a part of the road Moscow – Chelyabinsk). There are also meridional roads of less value – Zelenodolsk – Ulyanovsk and Agryz – Bugulma. The largest transportation centers are the cities of Kazan, Agryz, Zelenodolsk, Bugulma, Naberezhnye Chelny.
Federal highways
Volga highway is passing through the city of Kazan:
M7 E22 Moscow – Vladimir – Nizhniy Novgorod – Kazan – Ufa.
Other federal highways:
Р241 Kazan – Buinsk – Ulyanovsk;
Р239 Kazan – Orenburg;
Р242 Kazan – Arsk – Malmyzh – Kilmez – Igra.
In close proximity to the city there is a Р175 Yoshkar-Ola – Zelenodolsk highway.
Transcontinental corridor “Western Europe – Western China” is also passing through the city of Kazan.
Major cities of the republic have constant air links with 69 cities of Russia, CIS and far-abroad countries.
Tatarstan – is the largest in Eastern Europe pipeline transport center. The major oil and gas pipelines branch out from Almetyevsko-Bugulminskiy industrial hub northeastward (the city of Perm), eastward (the city of Ufa), southeastward (the city of Orenburg), southwestward (the city of Samara) and westward (the city of Kazan). The city of Almetyevsk is an initial point of “Druzhba” oil pipeline, transferring oil of Tatarstan to the European countries.
Education
There are 45 higher education institutions including branches of foreign higher education institutions in the city of Kazan. Kazan is the only city in Russia having both federal university and national research university. The largest higher education institutions of the city are the following:
Kazan Federal University (founded in 1804). At present the university consists of the following divisions: 22 institutes and faculties, including: IT-boarding school of KFU, Lyceum named after N.I. Lobachevsky and three branches: in the cities of Elabuga, Naberezhnye Chelny and Zelenodolsk. In 1996, under the Order of the Russian Federation President Kazan University was included into the Government List of the Most Valuable Objects of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.
Kazan national research technical university named after A.N. Tupolev, having the status of national research university, Kazan State Technological University, Kazan State Power Engineering University.
The Republic of Tatarstan has a high scientific potential; the authority of Kazan scientists in mathematics, mechanics, physics, linguistics, biology is recognized worldwide. The city of Kazan has the Academy of Science of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Industry
The largest industrial enterprises of the republic are “KAMAZ” (the city of Naberezhnye Chelny), Aircraft, engine-building and helicopters manufacturing production associations (the city of Kazan), “Nizhnekamskneftekhim” (the city of Nizhnekamsk), “Nizhnekamskshina” (the city of Nizhnekamsk), “Kazanorgsintez” (the city of Kazan), “Tatneft” (the city of Almetyevsk), Ship-building yard (the city of Zelenodolsk), “Kazancomressormash” (the city of Kazan), “Melita” (the city of Kazan), “Tatmebel” (the city of Kazan), Chistopolsk watch factory (the city of Chistopol). Industrial sector of the republic is determined by machinery building, chemical and petrochemical industries, oil production, electric power industry, food processing and consumer goods industry, construction materials, forestry and woodworking industry. The Alabuga special economic zone of industrial-production type is located 200 km from Kazan, and 40 km from the city situated the Innopolis special economic zone for information and innovative technologies.
Culture
There are in Tatarstan over 2 thous. cultural and leisure institutions, more than 1,5 thous. libraries, 115 children’s musical, art schools, schools of fine art, theatrical school and children’s dance school (in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny), circus school (the city of Kazan), 23 theatrical and entertainment institutions, 3 concert halls, Kazan State Circus, zoo-botanical garden, about 200 parks, including restored – more than 60.
Tatarstan has about 100 state museums of history and regional studies, literature and memorial ones, and of fine art. Besides 300 institutional museums are functioning. In the republic there are 13 historical cities and settlements – Kazan, Bolgar, Elabuga, Bugulma, Buinsk, Mamadysh, Mendeleyevsk, Menzelinsk, Tetyushi, Chistopol, Laishevo, Sviyazhsk, Bilyarsk.
Underground network
Operating stations: “Aviastroitelnaya”, “Severnyi vokzal”, “Yashlek”, “Kozya sloboda”, “Kremlyovskaya”, “Ploshchad Tukaya”, “Sukonnaya sloboda”, “Ametyevo”, “Gorki”, “Prospect Pobedy”. “Dubravnaya” station is currently under construction.
How to get to the republic
By plane
Kazan international airport is located about 28 km south from the city. Airport has 34 parking places for aircrafts. Kazan international airport performs flights by 68 destinations, including 36 international flights.
Tatarstan have regular air links with 46 cities of Russia and other states of the Russian Federation, near-abroad and far-abroad countries (Germany, Czech Republic, Latvia, Finland, UAE, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and other). Flight time to Moscow – 1 hour 20 minutes, to Saint Petersburg – 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Multimodal train Aeroexpress opened in the framework of Universiade-2013 provides an opportunity to get from the airport to the city center in 30 minute.
Medical point of Kazan International airport, OJSC located in the Terminal 2 provides first emergency medical aid and assistance in boarding of passengers with reduced mobility. You may order special assistance by the phone +7 (843) 254 00 75, by fax +7 (843) 254 00 14, and by e-mail: medical_st@airportkzn.ru.
Kazan International Airport Contacts:
Information on flights: +7 (843) 267 88 07
Border agency: +7 (843) 231 49 55
Custom service: +7 (843) 237 67 16
Federal Migration service (hotline): +7 (843) 231 12 12
Veterinary and Phytocontrol services: +7 (843) 254 00 60
Medical point: +7 (843) 254 00 75
Police: +7 (843) 267 88 02
“Polet” Hotel: +7 (843) 267 87 05
Cargo operations: +7 (843) 267 88 20
VIP-hall (Terminal 2). Domestic flights servicing: +7 (843) 254 00 76
VIP-hall (Terminal 2). International flights servicing: +7 (843) 267 86 62
Dispatch operator for VIP-orders: +7 (843) 254 01 10
Baggage search: +7 (843) 267 87 80
Press center: +7 (843) 254 01 23
Parking: +7 (843) 267 86 78
By train
Trackage of the republic territory is more than 900 km. The major railways are the principal lines passing through the cities of Zelenodolsk, Kazan, Agryz (a part of the road Moscow – Yekaterinburg) and through oil producing areas of the south-east part of the republic (a part of the road Moscow – Chelyabinsk). There are also meridional roads of less value – Zelenodolsk – Ulyanovsk and Agryz – Bugulma. All trains to Moscow are departing in the evenings (starting from 16:00) and arriving to the capital in the mornings; two special named trains “Tatarstan” and “Stolichnyi express” are running between the cities.
Railroad terminal complex of the city of Kazan is located in the central part of the city and includes main building (a monument of architecture of 1896), suburban terminal and booking offices building. Kazan railroad terminal operates 36 train-pairs, including 13 of local forming. Within the city precincts of the city there are also 19 railroad stations and roadside stops.
Booking offices for main-line trains are situated on the first and second floors of the Service center building of railroad complex by the address 6 Said-Galeeva St. Booking offices on the first floor are open around the clock, on the second floor – from 8:00 to 19:00.
Address of Kazan Passazhirskaya station (Central railroad terminal) – 6 Said-Galeeva St, Kazan
Address of Kazan Vosstaniye station (Kazan-2) – 1 Vorovskogo St, Kazan
Call center: +7 (843) 294 05 00, 8 (800) 775 00 00
By ship
The largest river line of Europe – the Volga, representing together with the Kama a single deepwater river system of European part of Russia, is crossing the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. The extension of navigable waterways of the Volga, the Kama, the Belaya and the Vyatka is about 1000 km. By water routes, one may get to Kazan from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Ufa, Astrakhan and other Russian cities. Ports of the Volga River – Kazan, Sviyazhsk; ports of the Kama River – Bolgar, Chistopol, Nizhnekamsk, Naberezhnye Chelny, Elabuga.
The main building of the river station of the city of Kazan is currently under reconstruction. The station is servicing passengers of both long distance cruise ships and suburban destinations – to Kamskoye Ustye, Tetyushi, Bolgar, Pechishchi, Sviyazhsk and Sadovaya. An air-cushion ship is running from Kazan to Verkhniy Uslon in winter period.
One may get to “River port” stop by city tramway, bus and trolleybus routes connecting it with central bus terminal and railroad terminal situated not far from the port.
Information desk of the river station: +7 (843) 233 08 08, 233 08 18
By bus
Motor roads are connecting Tatarstan with a lot of cities of Russia. Bus networks of public service including intracity, suburban and long distance routes, have an extension of more than 55 thous. km.
Kazan is connected by bus service with all cities of the Republic of Tatarstan and with neighboring republics and regions. Long distance routes to the cities of Naberezhnye Chelny, Chistopol, Nizhnekamsk, Bugulma, Almetyevsk, Bavly, Ufa, Sterlitamak, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Orenburg, Cheboksary and Buzuluk are setting off from Kazan bus terminal daily.
Kazan Bus station (Central)
Address: 15 Devyataev St, Kazan
Telephone: +7 (843) 293 04 00, 293 00 41
“Yuzhniy” Bus station (South)
Address: 207 Orenburg tract, Kazan
Telephone: +7 (843) 237 33 23
“Vostochniy” Bus station (Eastern)
Address: 8 Agrarnaya St, Kazan
Telephone: +7 (843) 259 30 37
“Kazan-2” Bus station (Northern)
Address: 33 Vorovskogo St, Kazan
Telephone: 8 800 775 00 00
Tatarstan on the Internet
Official portal of the Republic of Tatarstan – www.tatarstan.ru
Touristic portal of the Republic of Tatarstan – www.visit-tatarstan.com
Tourist information center of Kazan – www.kazantravel.ru
Restaurants of Kazan – www.kazan.resto.ru
Useful contact
Transport services of the city of Kazan
Airport information desk: +7 (843) 267 88 07
Railroad terminal information desk: +7 (843) 264 29 27
Bus terminal information desk: +7 (843) 293 04 00, 237 33 23, 259 30 37
River station information desk: +7 (843) 233 08 08, 233 08 18
“Tatarstan” taxi: +7 (843) 567 1 567
Local telephone exchange, telegraph service of the city of Kazan
Information service “09”: 009 (for landline phone), 0752 (for mobile phone)
Information on dialing codes: 8148
Information services on goods and services of the city of Kazan
+7 (843) 555 33 33
Information services on pharmacy and animal clinics of the city of Kazan
Information desk on medicinal products availability in pharmacies of the city of Kazan: 003
“First aid” information: +7 (843) 236 00 44
Medical information desk: +7 (843) 527 49 01
Emergency veterinary aid: +7 (843) 222 00 03
Emergency services of Kazan
Emergency hospital: +7 (843) 238 22 01, 01 (for landline phone), 112 (for mobile phone).
Emergency psychological aid service (hot line): +7 (843) 277 00 00
Police: 02 (for landline phone), 112 (for mobile phone), +7 (843) 291 32 02, 291 48 21
Rescue service of Emergencies Ministry: 067, +7 (843) 264 29 00, 227 46 46, 227 46 59, 272 03 90
Auto-towing, repair on roads: +7 (843) 258 58 59
Last updated: 14 April 2023, 18:26