Unique features of Ulyanovsk – the birthplace of leader V.I. Lenin

Located approximately 900 km east of Russia's capital, Moscow, Ulyanovsk is the administrative center of Ulyanovsk Oblast, situated on the banks of the Volga River – not only the largest river in Russia, but also the longest river in Europe, with a total length of 3,690 km.

Ulyanovsk was founded in 1648. That year, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered the construction of a fortress from the Volga River to the Barysh River to protect the Russian border from Tatar raids. In 1780, the city was renamed Simbirsk and became the administrative center of the Central Volga region.

Following the victory of the Russian October Revolution, in December 1917, Soviet power was established here.

In May 1924, Simbirsk was once again renamed Ulyanovsk in honor of the contributions of leader V.I. Lenin.

In 2015, Ulyanovsk became the first Russian city to be included in UNESCO's Creative Cities Network program in the field of Literature. Ulyanovsk is developing at an "astonishing" pace.

A land of exceptional talents.

Nestled along the Volga River, Ulyanovsk enjoys a mild continental climate. A defining characteristic is the constant, refreshing breeze from the Volga, which keeps the air in Ulyanovsk clean, cool, and filled with the fragrant scent of the surrounding forests.

Thanks to its mild continental climate, Ulyanovsk has a distinctly Russian winter and a sunny summer. However, during the rainy season, Ulyanovsk experiences heavy downpours and strong winds.

Population of UlyanovskWith a population of approximately 1,390,000, Ulyanovsk alone has over 657,000 inhabitants. A distinctive feature of Ulyanovsk is its diverse ethnic composition, including Russians (72.8%), Tatars (11.4%), Chuvash people (8.3%), and Mordovians (4.4%). A positive demographic factor is the significant annual population increase due to a sharp rise in birth rates and a declining death rate. Retirees account for approximately 21% of the population, the working population reaches 60%, and the population under working age is 19%. The male-female ratio is roughly equal, but women are about 4% more numerous. The average life expectancy for women is around 70 years, while for men it is 59 years.

The Volga River is known as the soul of Russia, and Ulyanovsk is thus nurtured by that river. The people here are very friendly and compassionate. Not only is it the cradle of revolutionary tradition, Ulyanovsk is also the birthplace of other outstanding figures of the Russian nation, including the historian Nikolai Karamzin, the famous realist writer Ivan Goncharov, the poet Nikolai Yazykov, and many other exceptional talents.

Home to famous museums

The city of Ulyanovsk is divided into four districts: Leninsky, Zasviyazhsky, Zheleznodorozhny, and Zavolzhsky.

The Leninsky district is considered the most famous district of all time. Even during the Tsarist era, it was home to wealthy aristocrats and merchants. Many of these aristocratic homes have remained intact over time. Some even remain sturdy and continue to be used. These ancient buildings give the city center a distinctive, unique, and tranquil appearance.

One of the most important landmarks in Ulyanovsk, located in the Leninsky district, is the two-story house number 68, where VI Lenin once lived. His father bought the house in 1878 on Moskovskaya Street (now Lenin Street). The house is now a historical museum where visitors can learn about Lenin's life, childhood, and career.

Lenin Street is often called a museum because it has existed since the founding of Simbirsk. The street is like a living exhibition of history. Pre-revolutionary houses have been restored, and the street's appearance from those years has been preserved as much as possible. Walking along this street, many visitors feel nostalgic, as if time has turned back a hundred years.

Besides the Lenin Museum, Lenin Street also houses several other famous museums in Russia, such as: the "Simbirsk Urban Life Museum of the late 19th and early 20th centuries" (No. 90); the Balalaika Museum (No. 78); the Small Shop Museum (No. 76); the "Carpenter's Workshop" Museum (No. 76a); the "Simbirsk-Ulyanovsk Postal Museum" (No. 50a); the "Simbirsk Printing House" Museum (No. 73); the Roerich Spiritual and Cultural Center (No. 71)...

Not only on Lenin Street, but Ulyanovsk in general is considered the home of Russian museums, and it boasts some truly unique ones.

One of them is the Simbirtsit Stone Museum.Ulyanovsk is not only rich in cultural and architectural heritage. Nature has generously bestowed upon this land not only tranquil landscapes along the Volga River, but also other treasures.

Several centuries ago, a unique decorative stone – simbircite – was discovered. The unique texture of this mineral is explained by the peculiarities of its origin and formation. The calcium, derived from agate, formed inside the shells of ammonite mollusks. Thanks to this complex process, which lasted 60-80 million years, the original structure of the stone was transformed to the point of being unrecognizable. Veins, color shades, and strange, watery streaks with various hues were formed within it.

Developed industry

While the Leninsky district has an old-world charm, the districtZavolzhsky is a symbol of the times; it is also known as the New Town.

It focused on building a complex of large industrial enterprises, including even major manufacturing sectors of the country such as aircraft production. Located on the right bank of the Volga River, Zavolzhsky created a miniature "Ulyanovsk" with wide boulevards and tall buildings.

Ulyanovsk is a city with a developed industrial sector. Most famous is the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, which produces the renowned UAZ vehicles. These SUVs consistently enjoy high demand, purchased by the military, medical services, agricultural businesses, and individuals. Therefore, the plant operates at maximum capacity. UAZ is one of the most iconic and respected automobile manufacturers in Russia.

The aircraft manufacturing complex is located in the Zavolzhsky district. The world's largest aircraft – the Ruslan, with its record-breaking carrying capacity – was built and manufactured here.

Aircraft manufacturing is a strong industry for Ulyanovsk, thanks to increasing government interest and focus on it. For example, Russian officials are proposing to open a transit hub in Ulyanovsk for aircraft manufacturers, as only Ulyanovsk's Vostochny airport has a 5-kilometer runway capable of accommodating heavy aircraft.

The wind farm in Ulyanovsk boasts a beauty comparable to the famous windmills in Amsterdam (Netherlands). It not only provides a source of green energy for Ulyanovsk but is also a favorite "check-in" spot for travelers, offering spectacular photos amidst dozens of large windmills. The best time to visit this wind farm is in late summer or early autumn.

Currently, many Vietnamese people live, study, and work in Ulyanovsk. Ulyanovsk is a sister province to Nghe An province in Vietnam.

The monument to President Ho Chi Minh, inaugurated in Ulyanovsk province in 2017, has become a symbol of the long-standing and strong friendship between the Vietnamese and Russian people in general, and the people of the two localities in particular.

The inauguration ceremony for the VI Lenin statue is scheduled to take place in Vinh City on April 15-16.