Velsk

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Coat of arms of Velsk
Coat of arms of Velsk
View of Velsk from airplane
View of Velsk from airplane

Velsk (Russian: Вельск) is a town in Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, located on the left bank of the Vel River at its confluence with the Vaga River, 545 km south of Arkhangelsk at 61°4′12″N, 42°5′56″E. Population: 26,300 (2005 est.); 26,241 (2002 Census); 25,967 (1989 Census).

First attested in 1137, Velsk regularly suffered from inundations before it was moved to a higher spot in the 16th century. It was known as a pogost before 1555, as a posad between 1555 and 1780, whereupon it was incorporated as a town.