Ust-Kubinsky District
Encyclopedia
Ust-Kubinsky District is an administrative district (raion
), one of the twenty-six
in Vologda Oblast
, Russia
. Municipally, it is incorporated as Ust-Kubinsky Municipal District. It is located in the center of the oblast
and borders with Vozhegodsky District
in the north, Kharovsky District
in the northeast, Sokolsky District
in the southeast, Vologodsky District
in the southwest, and Kirillovsky District
in the west. The area of the district is 2400 square kilometres (926.6 sq mi). Its administrative center is the selo of Ustye
. District's population: 9,350 (2002 Census
); Population of Ustye accounts for 44.4% of the district's population.
The name of the district means "the mouth of the Kubena" and originates from the old spelling of the name of the Kubena River
.
and then colonized by the Novgorod Republic
. In 13th century it became part of Principality of Beloozero, and, in particular, the fist prince of Beloozero, Gleb Vasilkovich, founded in 1260 Kamenny Monastery
on the island on Lake Kubenskoye. In 14th century, the principality became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow
. The area of the district, known as Zaozyorye (translated as Trans-lake lands), for a short period became a principality, Principality of Zaozyorye, which was dependent on Principality of Yaroslavl
. Before 1447, it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow as well. The area southwest of the Kubena was known as Kubena, and for a short period was run as Principality of Kubena before merging with Principality of Zaozyorye. The selo of Ustye is known since 1570. Due to the location on one of the trading routes connecting the basins of the Northern Dvina and the Volga
, and in the mouth of the Kubena, Ustye became a prosperous settlement living from trading. It was also an important point where pilgrims were put on boats and transported to Kamenny Monastery. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Archangelgorod Governorate
. In 1780, Arkhangelogorod Governorate was abolished and transformed into Vologda Viceroyalty
, and in 1796 the latter was split into Arkhangelsk and Vologda Governorates. What is now Ust-Kubinsky District was then part of Kadnikovsky Uyezd of Vologda Governorate
.
On July 15, 1929, the uyezds were abolished, the governorates merged into the Northern Krai
, and Ust-Kubinsky District was established among others. It became a part of Vologda Okrug of Northern Krai. In the following years, the first-level administrative division of Russia kept changing. In 1936, the krai itself was transformed into Northern Oblast. In 1937, Northern Oblast was split into Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vologda Oblast. Ust-Kubinsky District remained in Vologda Oblast ever since.
, one of the biggest lakes in Vologda Oblast, is located in the southwestern part of the district. The district border is drawn along the lake so that the district shares the lake with Vologodsky District (a tiny piece of the lake, with the source of the Sukhona River
, is shared with Sokolsky District). With the exception of a short stretch of the Sukhona in the south of the district, and the north-west of the district, which drains into the Pereshna in the basin of the Onega
, the rest of the area belongs to the basin of Lake Kubenskoye. The northern part of the district drains into the Uftyuga River, whereas the central and southern part belong to the basin of the Kubena River
, the major tributary of Lake Kubenskoye. The Kubena enters the district from the east, forms a border between Ust-Kubensky and Sokolsky Districts, and crosses it to the west, forming a river delta
at the confluence with Lake Kubenskoye. The selo of Ustye is located in the river delta of the Kubena. Kamenny Island, the only island in the middle of Lake Kubenskoye, belongs to the district. The second largest lake in the district, Lake Pereshnoye, is the source of the Pereshna and is divided between Kirillovsky and Ust-Kubinsky Districts.
Considerable areas of the district are covered by forests and by swamps. The swamps are mostly located in the Uftyuga valley, along the shore of lake Kubenskoye, and in the southern part of the district. The biggest one is the Charonda Swamp (shared also with Kirillovsky and Vozhegodsky Districts).
. There are also local roads in the district, with passenger bus traffic.
The lower course of the Kubena, Lake Kubenskoye, and the Sukhona are navigable, however, there is no passenger navigation within the district. The northern part of Lake Kubenskoye, which belongs to the basin of the Northern Dvina River, is connected by the Northern Dvina Canal
with the town of Kirillov and the Sheksna River
, thus connecting the basins of the White Sea
and the Volga
. In 19th century, the canal and Lake Kubenskoye were the main waterway connecting the Volga with the White Sea. However, in 1930s the White Sea – Baltic Canal was built, and the Northern Dvina Canal lost its significance. The canal is still in operation, serving cargo traffic and occasional cruise ships, which then proceed to Lake Kubenskoye.
on Kamenny Island and the ensemble of churches known as Voskresensky Pogost in Ustye) and additionally thirty objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance, mostly located in Ustye.
The only museum in the district is the Ust-Kubinsky District Museum of History and Ethnography, located in Ustye.
Two of the handicrafts developed in Ust-Kubensky District have been officially recognized and protected by Vologda Oblast Law. These are lace-making
(Ustye Lace, Kubenoozyorskoye Lace) and oxhorn carving (Ustye Horns).
Raion
A raion is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet countries. The term, which is from French rayon 'honeycomb, department,' describes both a type of a subnational entity and a division of a city, and is commonly translated in English as "district"...
), one of the twenty-six
Administrative divisions of Vologda Oblast
Administratively, Vologda Oblast is divided into four cities and towns of oblast significance and twenty-six districts.In terms of the area, the biggest administrative district is Vytegorsky District ....
in Vologda Oblast
Vologda Oblast
Vologda Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Its administrative center is Vologda. The largest city is Cherepovets.Vologda Oblast is rich in historic monuments, such as the magnificent Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Ferapontov Convent , medieval towns of Velikiy Ustyug and Belozersk, baroque...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Municipally, it is incorporated as Ust-Kubinsky Municipal District. It is located in the center of the oblast
Oblast
Oblast is a type of administrative division in Slavic countries, including some countries of the former Soviet Union. The word "oblast" is a loanword in English, but it is nevertheless often translated as "area", "zone", "province", or "region"...
and borders with Vozhegodsky District
Vozhegodsky District
Vozhegodsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Vozhegodsky Municipal District...
in the north, Kharovsky District
Kharovsky District
Kharovsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Kharovsky Municipal District. It is located in the center of the oblast and borders with Vozhegodsky District in the north, Syamzhensky District in the east,...
in the northeast, Sokolsky District
Sokolsky District, Vologda Oblast
Sokolsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Sokolsky Municipal District...
in the southeast, Vologodsky District
Vologodsky District
Vologodsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Vologodsky Municipal District...
in the southwest, and Kirillovsky District
Kirillovsky District
Kirillovsky District is an administrative district , one of the twenty-six in Vologda Oblast, Russia. Municipally, it is incorporated as Kirillovsky Municipal District...
in the west. The area of the district is 2400 square kilometres (926.6 sq mi). Its administrative center is the selo of Ustye
Ustye, Ust-Kubinsky District, Vologda Oblast
Ustye , also Ustye Kubenskoye is a rural locality and the administrative center of Ust-Kubinsky District, Vologda Oblast, Russia, located on the banks of the Kubena River close to its confluence with Lake Kubenskoye. It also serves as the administrative center of Ustyansky Selsoviet, one of the...
. District's population: 9,350 (2002 Census
Russian Census (2002)
Russian Census of 2002 was the first census of the Russian Federation carried out on October 9 through October 16, 2002. It was carried out by the Russian Federal Service of State Statistics .-Resident population:...
); Population of Ustye accounts for 44.4% of the district's population.
The name of the district means "the mouth of the Kubena" and originates from the old spelling of the name of the Kubena River
Kubena River
The Kubena is a river in Konoshsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vozhegodsky, Syamzhensky, Kharovsky, Sokolsky, and Ust-Kubinsky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is long, and the area of its basin . The Kubena is the principal tributary of Lake Kubenskoye and belongs to the basins...
.
History
The area was originally populated by the Finno-Ugric peoplesFinno-Ugric peoples
The Finno-Ugric peoples are any of several peoples of Europe who speak languages of the proposed Finno-Ugric language family, such as the Finns, Estonians, Mordvins, and Hungarians...
and then colonized by the Novgorod Republic
Novgorod Republic
The Novgorod Republic was a large medieval Russian state which stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Ural Mountains between the 12th and 15th centuries, centred on the city of Novgorod...
. In 13th century it became part of Principality of Beloozero, and, in particular, the fist prince of Beloozero, Gleb Vasilkovich, founded in 1260 Kamenny Monastery
Kamenny Monastery
Kamenny Monastery was the name of a Russian Orthodox monastery situated on a small eponymous island in the very centre of the Kubensky Lake. It is distinguished as the first stone monastery of the Russian North.Kamenny Island is very small, measuring just 120 metres by 70 metres...
on the island on Lake Kubenskoye. In 14th century, the principality became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow
Grand Duchy of Moscow
The Grand Duchy of Moscow or Grand Principality of Moscow, also known in English simply as Muscovy , was a late medieval Rus' principality centered on Moscow, and the predecessor state of the early modern Tsardom of Russia....
. The area of the district, known as Zaozyorye (translated as Trans-lake lands), for a short period became a principality, Principality of Zaozyorye, which was dependent on Principality of Yaroslavl
Principality of Yaroslavl
The Principality of Yaroslavl was an eastern Slavic principality, which existed in 1218—1463.Its first independent prince was Vsyevolod Konstantinovich, who died fighting the Mongols on the Siti river, March 4th 1238. Yaroslavl had been sacked in February...
. Before 1447, it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow as well. The area southwest of the Kubena was known as Kubena, and for a short period was run as Principality of Kubena before merging with Principality of Zaozyorye. The selo of Ustye is known since 1570. Due to the location on one of the trading routes connecting the basins of the Northern Dvina and the Volga
Volga River
The Volga is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. Out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, eleven, including the capital Moscow, are situated in the Volga's drainage...
, and in the mouth of the Kubena, Ustye became a prosperous settlement living from trading. It was also an important point where pilgrims were put on boats and transported to Kamenny Monastery. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Archangelgorod Governorate
Archangelgorod Governorate
Archangelgorod Governorate , or the Government of Archangelgorod, was an administrative division of the Russian Empire, which existed from 1708 until 1780. Its seat was in Archangel...
. In 1780, Arkhangelogorod Governorate was abolished and transformed into Vologda Viceroyalty
Vologda Viceroyalty
Vologda Viceroyalty was an administrative division of the Russian Empire, which existed in 1780–1796.The viceroyalty was established by a decree of Catherine II on , 1780...
, and in 1796 the latter was split into Arkhangelsk and Vologda Governorates. What is now Ust-Kubinsky District was then part of Kadnikovsky Uyezd of Vologda Governorate
Vologda Governorate
The Vologda Governorate or Government of Vologda was a guberniya in the historical northern region of the European part of Russian Empire.In its size it was second right after the neighboring Archangelgorod Governorate...
.
On July 15, 1929, the uyezds were abolished, the governorates merged into the Northern Krai
Northern Krai
Northern Krai was a krai of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic from 1929 to 1936. Its seat was in the city of Arkhangelsk...
, and Ust-Kubinsky District was established among others. It became a part of Vologda Okrug of Northern Krai. In the following years, the first-level administrative division of Russia kept changing. In 1936, the krai itself was transformed into Northern Oblast. In 1937, Northern Oblast was split into Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vologda Oblast. Ust-Kubinsky District remained in Vologda Oblast ever since.
Location and geography
The area of the district is elongated from the southeast to the northwest. Lake KubenskoyeLake Kubenskoye
Kubenskoe Lake is a large and shallow lake in Vologda Oblast of Russia, situated at the height of 109 metres above mean sea level, stretching for 60 km from north-west to south-east....
, one of the biggest lakes in Vologda Oblast, is located in the southwestern part of the district. The district border is drawn along the lake so that the district shares the lake with Vologodsky District (a tiny piece of the lake, with the source of the Sukhona River
Sukhona River
The Sukhona is a river in the European pert of Russia, a tributary of the Northern Dvina River. The course of the Sukhona lies in Ust-Kubinsky, Sokolsky, Mezhdurechensky, Totemsky, Tarnogsky, Nyuksensky, and Velikoustyugsky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is long, and the area of its...
, is shared with Sokolsky District). With the exception of a short stretch of the Sukhona in the south of the district, and the north-west of the district, which drains into the Pereshna in the basin of the Onega
Onega River
The Onega is a river in Kargopolsky, Plesetsky, and Onezhsky Districts of Arkhangelsk Oblast in Russia. The Onega connects Lake Lacha with the Onega Bay in the White Sea southwest of Arkhangelsk, flowing in the northern direction. The discharge at the source is and at the mouth is . The river is ...
, the rest of the area belongs to the basin of Lake Kubenskoye. The northern part of the district drains into the Uftyuga River, whereas the central and southern part belong to the basin of the Kubena River
Kubena River
The Kubena is a river in Konoshsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast and Vozhegodsky, Syamzhensky, Kharovsky, Sokolsky, and Ust-Kubinsky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is long, and the area of its basin . The Kubena is the principal tributary of Lake Kubenskoye and belongs to the basins...
, the major tributary of Lake Kubenskoye. The Kubena enters the district from the east, forms a border between Ust-Kubensky and Sokolsky Districts, and crosses it to the west, forming a river delta
River delta
A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...
at the confluence with Lake Kubenskoye. The selo of Ustye is located in the river delta of the Kubena. Kamenny Island, the only island in the middle of Lake Kubenskoye, belongs to the district. The second largest lake in the district, Lake Pereshnoye, is the source of the Pereshna and is divided between Kirillovsky and Ust-Kubinsky Districts.
Considerable areas of the district are covered by forests and by swamps. The swamps are mostly located in the Uftyuga valley, along the shore of lake Kubenskoye, and in the southern part of the district. The biggest one is the Charonda Swamp (shared also with Kirillovsky and Vozhegodsky Districts).
Industry
The economy of the district is based on timber industry. There is also food industry present.Agriculture
The main direction of agriculture in the district is cattle breeding. Crops and potatoes are also grown.Transport
Ustye is connected by a road with SokolSokol, Vologda Oblast
Sokol is a town in the center of Vologda Oblast, Russia, located at both banks of the Sukhona. Administratively, it is incorporated as a town of oblast significance . It also serves as the administrative center of Sokolsky District, by which it is completely surrounded but is not administratively...
. There are also local roads in the district, with passenger bus traffic.
The lower course of the Kubena, Lake Kubenskoye, and the Sukhona are navigable, however, there is no passenger navigation within the district. The northern part of Lake Kubenskoye, which belongs to the basin of the Northern Dvina River, is connected by the Northern Dvina Canal
Northern Dvina Canal
The Northern Dvina Canal is a 64 km long canal in Vologda Oblast in Russia. It connects the Volga-Baltic Waterway to the Northern Dvina River through its tributary, the Sukhona River...
with the town of Kirillov and the Sheksna River
Sheksna River
The Sheksna is a river in Belozersky, Kirillovsky, Sheksninsky, and Cherepovetsky Districts of Vologda Oblast in Russia. It is a left tributary of the Volga River. It is long, and the area of its basin...
, thus connecting the basins of the White Sea
White Sea
The White Sea is a southern inlet of the Barents Sea located on the northwest coast of Russia. It is surrounded by Karelia to the west, the Kola Peninsula to the north, and the Kanin Peninsula to the northeast. The whole of the White Sea is under Russian sovereignty and considered to be part of...
and the Volga
Volga River
The Volga is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. Out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, eleven, including the capital Moscow, are situated in the Volga's drainage...
. In 19th century, the canal and Lake Kubenskoye were the main waterway connecting the Volga with the White Sea. However, in 1930s the White Sea – Baltic Canal was built, and the Northern Dvina Canal lost its significance. The canal is still in operation, serving cargo traffic and occasional cruise ships, which then proceed to Lake Kubenskoye.
Culture and recreation
The district contains nine cultural heritage monuments of federal significance (the ruins of Kamenny MonasteryKamenny Monastery
Kamenny Monastery was the name of a Russian Orthodox monastery situated on a small eponymous island in the very centre of the Kubensky Lake. It is distinguished as the first stone monastery of the Russian North.Kamenny Island is very small, measuring just 120 metres by 70 metres...
on Kamenny Island and the ensemble of churches known as Voskresensky Pogost in Ustye) and additionally thirty objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance, mostly located in Ustye.
The only museum in the district is the Ust-Kubinsky District Museum of History and Ethnography, located in Ustye.
Two of the handicrafts developed in Ust-Kubensky District have been officially recognized and protected by Vologda Oblast Law. These are lace-making
Lace
Lace is an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabric, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric. Lace-making is an ancient craft. True lace was...
(Ustye Lace, Kubenoozyorskoye Lace) and oxhorn carving (Ustye Horns).