General information
Lipetsk is the administrative and industrial center of the Lipetsk Region, which is part of the Central Federal District of Russian Federation. The city is situated on the bank of Voronezh River, 508 km south from Moscow and 120 km north from Voronezh. The city territory covers 31.812 hectares, in 2007 the number of residents was more than 500.000.
The region has got a favorable location in terms of transport and geography - it is situated in the center of the most developed European part of Russia.
The trip from Moscow to Lipetsk takes:
·only 40 minutes by plane (2 regular flights a day)
·4-5 hours by car
·10 hours by train (more than 10 trains connect Moscow and Lipetsk every day)
In 2005 Lipetsk was announced the most comfortable city in Russia. Russian Rosstroy, which conducted the contest, singled out Lipetsk from 67 other participant cities. The major factors that were assessed included good conditions of roads, street lighting, greenery, fountains and recreation areas, new public transport.
Lipetsk was first mentioned in the 13th century chronicles. The name means "Linden city" and is cognate with Leipzig and Liepaja. In 1284, the city was destroyed by the Mongols.
In 1703, Peter the Great ordered construction of a cast iron factory in Lipetsk near the iron ore deposits for making artillery shells.
In 1779, Lipetsk became one of the principal towns of the Tambov guberniya.
The principal industries of Lipetsk include ferrous metallurgy, machinery, metalworking, machine tools, engines, chemicals, food, and clothing.
Lipetsk is one of the oldest mud bath and balneological resorts in Russia (opened in 1805). Peat mud and chalybeate hydrocarbonate calcic springs are used to treat patients. Sulphate and chloride sodium water is used for therapeutic baths and drinking.
State Universities located in Lipetsk include Lipetsk Polytechnic University, Lipetsk Teachers’ Training University, and some other colleges.
The Lipetsk Air Center has long and glorious history. Its chief, colonel Kharchevski has become famous after trial air combats in the USA and being a personal pilot of President Putin.
The city is also served by the smaller Lipetsk Airport.
Economy
Novolipetsk Steel Integrated Works (NLMK) with approximately 48,000 employees and a 64% export ratio (2005) is one of the largest employers in the region. There is also the metallurgical plant "Svobodny Sokol" ("Free Falcon"), the tractor factory LTZ, the solvent-extraction plant Liboil (largest rapeseed oil producer in Central Federal District and the second in Russia), a pipe plant, a factory for refrigerators and household appliances, etc.
Sister cities
Germany, Cottbus (1974)
China, Anshan (1992)
Italy, Fabriano (2003)
