Zeya, Russia


Zeya is a town in Amur Oblast, Russia, located on the Zeya River southeast of Tynda and north of Blagoveshchensk. Population:

History

It was founded in 1879 as the settlement of Zeysky Sklad, as a supply and administrative center for the exploitation of newly discovered gold deposits in the Zeya River basin. By 1906, the settlement had grown to over 5,000 inhabitants, and was granted town status under the name Zeya-Pristan. In 1913, the town's name was shortened to Zeya.
The town remained one of Russia's most important centers of gold production until the opening of the Kolyma region in the 1930s.
Construction of the Zeya Dam, beginning in 1964, saw a new growth period for the town.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Zeya serves as the administrative center of Zeysky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as Zeya Urban Okrug—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, this administrative unit also has urban okrug status.

Economy

The Zeya Dam is the main economic focus for the town, with forestry, gold mining and agriculture also conducted in the area.

Climate

Zeya experiences a monsoon influenced humid continental climate with bitterly cold, dry winters and short, warm summers.

Sister cities