There have been plenty of towns in Russia at all times. Even in the 9th century severe Scandinavian vikings called ancient Russia "Gardarika" which means "the country of towns". Solikamsk is a typical representative of Russian small towns.

Solikamsk is a city in Perm oblast (administrative region), an administrative center of Solikamsk district, the third town in size in the oblast. The city is located in the West Ural on the banks of the Kama River. Some more rivers flow through Solikamsk, among them the Usolka River and the Borovitsa River - the left tributaries of the Kama River. Solikamsk has a terminal railway station "Solikamsk". The railway connects the city with the oblast administrative center, the city of Perm (368 kms away from Solikamsk) and other regions of the country. Solikamsk also has a river port and an airport. It occupies the area of 165,5 square kms, the population is about 100,000.

What does the name Solikamsk mean? Two words sound in this name. The first word means "salt". The second one contains the name of the Kama River, flowing through the city. So the name of Solikamsk means "The salt of the Kama".

The city was founded in 1430 due to the discovery of rich salt-mines on the banks of the Usolka River. Salt production was the main branch of the city's economy for centuries. By the end of the 17th century Solikamsk turned into the most important commercial, industrial, and administrative center of the region. In 1636-1738 the city was the capital of the Ural. A lot of outstanding architectural monuments were built during that period. Solikamsk coat of arms (on the left) reflects those events. It consists of two parts. The top one is the coat of arms of Perm province - a bear with the Gospel on its back. The second one shows one of the city's symbols, a draw-well for lifting of salt-brine.

The city is located in the subzone of taiga with typical coniferous woods, climate is continental. The average temperature of July is +18.5 degrees, that of January is -17.6 degrees. Average annual amount of precipitation is 600-700 mm, 40% falls on the summer months. Soils are turf and podzol.

The natural resources of the city are very rich. Solikamsk is located within the unique Verkhnekamskii (Upper Kama) deposit of potassium and potassium-magnesium salts. Solikamsk ore contains a lot of rare-earth elements such as bromine, rubidium, caesium, etc. Solikamsk district is rich in timber as well. Due to the exploitation of these reserves, Solikamsk has changed into the important center of chemical industry. The city has enterprises of wood, pulp and paper, potassium, magnesium, and military industry.

On the other hand, the development of industry has led to unfortunate results in environment. The atmosphere is highly polluted by the enterprises and ecological situation in the city is unfavourable.

Modern demographic trends are characterized by the reduction of birth rate. Children under 15 years make 25.6%, pension age people - 14.8%, able-bodied population - 59.6%. About 40% of workers are employed in mining chemistry, more than 25% are in timber and pulp and paper industry. The other workers are mostly employed in the production of consumer goods. National structure is as follows: the Russians - 90%, the Ukrainians - 2%, the Tatars -1.5%.

Solikamsk has been included into the list of 116 protected Russian towns for its remarkable architecture. It numbers 25 architectural monuments, most of them were built in the 17-18th centuries.