Information about Irkutsk!

Irkutsk is a very friendly and interesting city with approximately half a million inhabitants lying near the world’s deepest lake, Lake Baikal. Outside your study time there are endless opportunities to explore the city, the surrounding Siberian countryside as well of course Lake Baikal itself. For nature lovers everything is within close reach – forests to hike or ski in, as well as lakes and rivers for bathing, boating, fishing or ice skating. The city is famous for its beautiful wooden buildings and has always been at the centre of trade for Siberia´s eastern fringes as well as with China and Mongolia. Irkutsk enjoys a rich cultural life.

Orientation and history
Irkutsk lies in eastern Siberia on the Angara River a tributary of the river Yenisei and takes its name from the river, Irkut. It takes almost 3.5 days to reach the city of Irkutsk by train from Moscow, which is 5,185 km away.

The first road connection between Moscow and Irkutsk was built in the mid 1700s, which contributed to the rapid economic development of the city. Irkutsk quickly became a centre for trade with connections to the rest of Siberia, European Russia and southwards to Tibet, China and Mongolia. Towards the end of the 1800s gold was discovered locally and a Siberian goldrush ensued. The city became rich and beautiful buildings were constructed. Irkustsk became known as the Paris of Siberia. In contrast to most other Russian cities many beautifully decorated wooden buildings remain in the city. These buildings stand in stark contrast to the concrete buildings of the Soviet era.

During the early 1800s many Russian artists, officers and members of the aristocracy were exiled to Siberia and Irkutsk became an intellectual centre of Siberia.

Facts & Figures
Population: 570,000
Foundation: 1652, by Yakov Pokhabov
Climate: Sub-arctic climate; warm summers, cold winters
GMT Offset: GMT +8 hours
To do and see: Ulan-Ude, Olkhon Island, City tour, Taltsy, Museums in Irkutsk, Lake Baikal,

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