Borovichi

For other places with the same name, see Borovichi (inhabited locality).

Borovichi (English) Боровичи (Russian)
-  Town  -
OAO Mstator building in Borovichi
Location of Novgorod Oblast in Russia
Borovichi Location of Borovichi in Novgorod Oblast
Coordinates:
Coat of arms	Flag
Administrative status (as of February 2015)
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Novgorod Oblast
Administratively subordinated to	town of oblast significance of Borovichi
Administrative center of	town of oblast significance of Borovichi, Borovichsky District
Municipal status (as of March 2013)
Municipal district	Borovichsky Municipal District
Urban settlement	Borovichi Urban Settlement
Administrative center of	Borovichsky Municipal District, Borovichi Urban Settlement
Statistics
Population (2010 Census)	53,690 inhabitants
- Rank in 2010	307th
Time zone	MSK (UTC+03:00)
First mentioned	1495
Town status since	1770
Postal code(s)	174400, 174401, 174403–174409, 174411, 174421
Official website
[[:commons:Category:{{#property:Commons category}}|Borovichi]] on Wikimedia Commons

Borovichi population

2010 Census	53,690
2002 Census	57,755
1989 Census	63,009
1979 Census	59,646

Borovichi (Russian: Боровичи́) is the second largest town in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Msta River in the northern spurs of the Valdai Hills, 194 kilometers (121 mi) east of Veliky Novgorod, the administrative center of the oblast. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 53,690.

History

The railway arch bridge across the Msta

The Msta River was an important waterway since at least the 10th century, since it connected Novgorod with the basins of the Volga and the Northern Dvina Rivers. The settlement was first mentioned in 1495. It was granted town status in 1770 by Catherine the Great. The main occupation of the town's inhabitants was piloting ships through the rapids of the Msta River that used to be a part of an important waterway connecting Central Russia with the Baltic Sea (hence a rudder appears on the town's coat of arms granted by Catherine the Great). However, by the mid-19th century, after opening of the Volga–Baltic Waterway and the Moscow-Saint Petersburg Railway, the significance of the Msta River as a transport route has decreased.

In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate). In 1727, separate Novgorod Governorate was split off. In 1773, Borovichsky Uyezd was established. In 1776, the area was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished and Borovichsky Uyezd was transferred to Novgorod Governorate.

Sources of fire clay were discovered near the town in the 19th century, and the first fire brick manufacturing plant opened in the region in 1855. In 1878, a railway branch connected the town to Uglovka station of the Moscow-Saint Petersburg Railway, which allowed to establish several large fire brick plants in 1880. Now about half of the town's population is employed in the fire brick industry.

In 1905, the first arch bridge in Russia was built in Borovichi across the Msta.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Borovichsky District was established, with the administrative center in Borovichi. The district was a part of Borovichi Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. The town of Borovichi initially belonged to the district, but from 1930 it was elevated in status to that of a town of oblast significance. On July 5, 1944, Borovichsky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast and remained there ever since.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Borovichi serves as the administrative center of Borovichsky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Borovichi—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts (one of the three in Novgorod Oblast). As a municipal division, the town of oblast significance of Borovichi is incorporated within Borovichsky Municipal District as Borovichi Urban Settlement.

Economy

Industry

In Borovichi, there are enterprises of construction material production, timber industry, and food industry. There is also production of woodworking machines and of engines.

Transportation

Borovichi railway station

Borovichi is connected by a railroad with Uglovka and thus with the railway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

There are road connections to Tikhvin (via Lyubytino), Okulovka, and Pestovo. Borovichi is a local bus transportation hub.

Culture and recreation

The Pentecost Church in Borovichi

The town of Borovichi contains one cultural heritage monument of federal significance—the arch bridge across the Msta—and additionally ninety-nine objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance.

The town is home to the Borovichi Regional Museum.

The famous rapids of the Msta River popular among tourists are located just upstream from Borovichi.

Sports

• Bandy club Borovichi is the only professional sports team in Novgorod Oblast. In 2010, it was playing in the High Division (the first tier) of the Russian Bandy Super League, but in 2011 due to financial difficulties it was relegated to the First Division (the second tier). Their home arena has the capacity of 5000.

Notable people

• Alexey Kuznetsov, Soviet official
• Sergei Gennadyevich Yegorov, Russian association football player

Twin towns and sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Russia

Borovichi is twinned with:

• Binghamton, New York, United States
• Haapsalu, Estonia
• Pereira, Colombia
• Suolahti (consolidated in 2007 with Sumiainen to make Äänekoski), Finland (status unknown)

References

Sources

• Новгородская областная Дума. Областной закон №559-ОЗ от 11 ноября 2005 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Новгородской области», в ред. Областного закона №730-ОЗ от 26 февраля 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в Областной закон "Об административно-территориальном устройстве Новгородской области"». Вступил в силу 1 января 2006 г. Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №75, 23 ноября 2005 г. (Novgorod Oblast Duma. Oblast Law #559-OZ of November 11, 2005 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast, as amended by the Oblast Law #730-OZ of February 26, 2015 On Amending the Oblast Law "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast". Effective as of January 1, 2006.).
• Администрация Новгородской области. Постановление №121 от 8 апреля 2008 г. «Об реестре административно-территориального устройства области», в ред. Постановления №408 от 4 августа 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в реестр административно-территориального устройства области». Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №49–50, 16 апреля 2008 г. (Administration of Novgorod Oblast. Resolution #121 of April 8, 2008 On the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast, as amended by the Resolution #408 of August 4, 2014 On Amending the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast. ).
• Новгородская областная Дума. Областной закон №373-ОЗ от 22 декабря 2004 г. «Об установлении границ муниципальных образований, входящих в состав территории Боровичского муниципального района, наделении их статусом городского и сельских поселений, определении административных центров и перечня населённых пунктов, входящих в состав территорий поселений», в ред. Областного закона №216-ОЗ от 1 марта 2013 г. «О внесении изменений в некоторые областные законы, содержащие перечни населённых пунктов, входящих в состав территорий поселений». Вступил в силу со дня, следующего за днём официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №2, 12 января 2005 г. (Novgorod Oblast Duma. Oblast Law #373-OZ of December 22, 2004 On Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations Within the Territory of Borovichsky Municipal District, on Granting Them the Status of Urban and Rural Settlements, on Establishing Their Administrative Centers, and on Compiling the Lists of Inhabited Localities Within the Settlement Territories, as amended by the Oblast Law #216-OZ of March 1, 2013 On Amending Various Oblast Laws Containing the Lists of Inhabited Localities Within the Settlement Territories. Effective as of the day following the day of the official publication.).