- Lensk
Lensk ( _ru. Ленск) is a city located on the left bank of the
Lena River inSiberia . Its population in2005 was estimated at 24,600. The city is the administrative centre of theLensky region in theSakha Republic . Situated approximately 840kilometre s (520mile s) west ofYakutsk , Lensk is connected with Mirny by road and has scheduled air connections with Mirny, Yakutsk andIrkutsk . As a major port on the Lena, Lensk has developed as a processing point for the region'sdiamond industry.History
The original settlement was founded in
1663 in an area known as Muhtuy and was originally named Mukhtuya. During 19th and early 20th centuries the town was a place of political exile.The town experienced a period of rapid growth during the 20th century as a result of the discovery and development of diamond deposits in the Vilyuya basin. As the closest significant settlement to the major
kimberlite excavations at theMir Mine and the establishment of the associated city of Mirny, Mukhtuya became a major base ofconstruction . In1956 roads were built connecting Mukhtuya to the future Mirny and the town's port was established. The town received the status of the city and its new name Lensk in1963 .Economy
In addition to its association with the diamond industry and construction, Lensk has a significant forestry and timber sector and a large-panal housing factory. The city is also home to the Yakutalmaz scientific research organisation.
Places of interest
Lensk has a history museum and operates a branch of the Irkutsk Polytechnic Institute. Seven kilometres south-west of the city there is a
karst cave with a 25 metrewaterfall and karst lake.External links
*ru icon [http://lensk.narod.ru/ Official Lensk webpage]
*ru icon [http://lenskfirstschool.narod.ru/ Photos and videos of Lensk]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.