Skopin
Skopin (Russian: Скопин) is a town in Ryazan Oblast, Russia, located on the Vyorda River (Oka's basin) 109 kilometers (68 mi) southwest of Ryazan. Population: 30,374 (2010 Census preliminary results);[1] 25,092 (2002 Census);[2] 28,912 (1989 Census).[3]
Skopin is considered to be one of the oldest towns in Ryazan Oblast. A settlement named Likharevskoye Gorodishche near present-day Skopin was founded some time in the 12th century. It was fortified with moats and ramparts for protection against the Polovtsians.
In 1663 (or 1597, according to another account[4]), the Tsar built a wooden fortress on the spot of today's Skopin, which would become a part of the defense system on the southeast of Muscovy. It had been called Skopinskaya sloboda since the late 17th century. In 1778, the town was renamed Skopin. In the 18th century, the town lost its military significance.
In the second half of the 19th century, they began mining for brown coal in the outskirts of Skopin, which would continue until 1989. The town became known for its handicraft ceramic items with the discovery of fire clay deposits in the area. There is a museum of Skopin ceramics in the town.
References
- ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2011). "Предварительные итоги Всероссийской переписи населения 2010 года (Preliminary results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census). Federal State Statistics Service. http://www.perepis-2010.ru/results_of_the_census/results-inform.php. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек (Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. http://www.perepis2002.ru/ct/doc/1_TOM_01_04.xls. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров. (All Union Population Census of 1989. Present population of union and autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts and okrugs, krais, oblasts, districts, urban settlements, and villages serving as district administrative centers.)" (in Russian). Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года (All-Union Population Census of 1989). Demoscope Weekly (website of the Institute of Demographics of the State University—Higher School of Economics. 1989. http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus89_reg.php. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ Davies has Skopin as part of the Abatis Line, which would put it before 1600 (Brian L Davies, 'Warfare State and Society of the Black Sea Steppe',2007, page 45)