Syktyvkar

Syktyvkar ( _ru. Сыктывка́р) is a city in Russia, capital of the Komi Republic. Located at coord|61|40|N|50|49|E. Population: 230,011 (2002 Census).

Syktyvkar is located on the Sysola River, which is the origin of its former name Ust-Sysolsk. The city's current name comes from "Syktyv", the Komi name for the same river, plus "kar", meaning "city". The town is located quite near to the point where the Sysola joins the larger Vychegda River, which is itself a branch of the Northern Dvina. These rivers are navigable and are a major transport route of forestry products from Syktyvkar. Lumber and woodcrafts are the city's largest industries.

It is served by Syktyvkar Airport and Syktyvkar Southwest airfield.

It is believed that there has been a settlement at the city's present site since at least the 16th century. It was granted city status by Catherine the Great in 1780, and later became the capital of the autonomous Komi oblast. It has retained its position as the Komi capital since that point, although a large influx of ethnic Russians in the 20th century has actually left the Komi in a minority there.