About Omsk
Omsk is one of the largest cities in Russia, located at the confluence of the Irtysh and Om rivers. It is a large scientific, cultural, sports and industrial center.
Omsk is a city with more than a million residents (1,164,815 people according to 2019 data estimates), the second most populous in Siberia and the eighth in Russia. It is also a large transport hub: the Trans-Siberian Railway passes from west to east through the city, and the Irtysh navigable river from south to north.
The city is in the time zone MSK + 3 (Omsk time). The offset of the applicable time relative to UTC is + 6:00.
Omsk is in the temperate climatic zone with the continental climate of the forest-steppe of the Western Siberian belt. It is distinguished by an abundance of sunlight. The average air temperature in January is 19.2 ° С, in July is 18.3 ° С.
Historical reference
Omsk was founded in 1716 by I. D. Buchholz as a fortress protecting the southern borders of the state.
The city of Omsk was considered a stockaded town until 1797.
In the XIX century, Omsk was the administrative center of the Akmola region. The West Siberian Governorate-General, and then the Governor-Generalship of the Steppes, were located in Omsk, covering a significant part of Western Siberia and the north of modern Kazakhstan (1/3 of the Russian Empire).
In the 20-30s of the XX century, Omsk remained the center of the agro-industrial complex of Siberia, new production of agricultural machinery were developing.
Since the mid-50s, Omsk has been the center of the oil refining and petrochemical industry in Siberia.
In the 70-80s, the development of industrial and housing construction determined the growth of production volumes of the building materials industry.
In 2016, Omsk celebrated its 300th anniversary.
Omsk today
Nowadays Omsk is the largest in the Omsk region and one of the largest industrial centers in Russia. In 2013, Omsk took the 5th place in the ranking of Russia's 250 largest industrial centers for industrial production.
The undoubted advantages of the region, determining its investment attractiveness are: advantageous geographical location, developed transport system, modern manufacturing, high technology and significant staff capacity.
The fact that Omsk is located between the European territory of Russia and the Far East, proximity to Asian markets are profitable factors for establishing and maintaining foreign economic relations with various countries.
Currently, investors from the CIS countries (Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan) and non-CIS countries (the USA, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain, and the Netherlands) are showing interest in the Omsk region. Investments mainly come in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, transport and communications.
Today, a number of major investment projects are implemented in the region. Measures are being taken to create favorable conditions for doing business.
According to the data of 2018, the Omsk region is recognized as the safest region of Siberia.
City Life and Culture
There are lots of theaters, museums, cinemas, recreation facilities, entertainment and shopping centers, restaurants, night clubs, as well as sports facilities in Omsk.
There are 28 higher educational institutions, including the oldest one -Omsk State Agrarian University named after P. A. Stolypin.
Since 1990, Omsk annually hosts the Siberian International Marathon (SIM). In 2011, it is entered the list of 50 best marathons in the world according to AIMS.
The International Festival of Puppet Theaters “Visiting Harlequin” is one of the largest puppet festivals in Russia and is held regularly, once every two years, starting in 2009.
In November 2019, the 16th Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan was held in Omsk.
In 2020 Omsk is the capital of the Delphic Games.
About 50 national-cultural associations operate in Omsk, 14 of which have the status of national-cultural autonomies.
In the Omsk region, there are 35 territories, having the status of specially protected natural areas of regional and local significance, including natural parks in the Bolsherechye village and “Bird's Harbor” in the city of Omsk.