"Novokuznetsk" Novokuznetsk by Kap2

The early history was as a fort or ostrog on the left or right bank (there is some archaeological discussion) or river Tom' north of the confluence of the river Kondoma in 1618 as subordinate fort to Tomsk. The fort was restored in the last few years as a museum.

The name of the city comes from the metalworking skills of local Shortsi people as Kuznetsk is the Russian for metal smith. Most of the city was built during the 20th century and more recently including new shopping centres, flats and offices. Novo- meaning new.

The city was developed as a centre of coal production and metal making, it currently producing the rails for high speed rail projects in Russia.

• Pros:Compact city centre, surrounded by forest and mountain
• Cons:Can be very cold but its always warm inside
• In a nutshell:A real city that is a centre of manufacture, education and administration