Noyabrsk

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Noyabrsk (Russian: Ноя́брьск) is the largest town in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia. The town is located in the middle of the West Siberian oil fields. Gazprom Neft oil company is the largest single employer. Population: 98,400 (2004 est.); 96,440 (2002 Census); 95,500 (1996 est.); 85,800 (1989); 68,000 (1986 est.). Geographic coordinates: 63°12′N 75°27′E.

It was founded as an urban-type settlement in November of 1976 (its name is said to originate from the word November), and was granted a town status in 1982. It is located on the Tyumen–Novy Urengoy railway about 300 km north of Surgut.

The town is divided into a smaller southern part, Noyabrsk-I, and a larger northern part, Noyabrsk-II. Each has its own station, which has caught novice travellers out in the past. The railway line separates the residential part of the town from the industrial sites that service the oil fields.

Approximately six kilometers to the west of the town there is Noyabrsk Airport. There are flights most days to Moscow (Domodedovo or Vnukovo Airports), several times a week to Salekhard, and to a variety of other locations.

Recreation for the visiting oil worker or resident includes a movie theater, modest shopping facilities in a number of indoor and, in summer, outdoor markets, and the usual oilfield entertainments of alcohol and strip bars. During summer, Lake Khanto two kilometers north of the town is popular for walking and barbecues. In winter, there is a ski-club (cross-country not downhill) to the immediate west of the residential districts. Winter also normally has an "Ice Palace" constructed for some weeks in the town center's park, beside the city adminitrative offices.

Crime is a minor problem for visitors, though the ubiquity of metal bars on ground-floor residence windows and 5 mm-thick steel sheeted apartment doors indicates a continuing burglary issue. The park beside the city administration offices sports abundant used syringes and hypodermic needles, giving adequate testimony to the presence of injecting addicts and the consequent need for "street awareness" in the visitor. Muggings have been reported, but tend to get hushed up.

There is a Great Patriotic War memorial in the town.

A local newspaper is Region 57, named for the registration plate code for cars from the area.

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