Naryan-Mar

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Coordinates: 67°38′N 53°03′E / 67.633, 53.05

Naryan-Mar (Russian: Нарья́н-Мар; Nenets: Няръянa мар", Nyar'yana mar", lit. "red town" ) is a town and the administrative center of Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia. It is a sea port and a river port on the right bank of the Pechora River,^[1] 110 km away from the Barents Sea. Naryan-Mar lies north of the Arctic Circle, south of Andeg and east of Oksino. The 2002 Census reported a population of 18,611, down from 20,182 recorded in the 1989 Census. In 1973, the population was at 17,000. The town is served by Naryan-Mar Airport.

As laid out in the first five year plan of the USSR development in the area was started as soon as the early 1930s. This was in connection with the development of the Pechora coalfield and the construction of industrial plants. The town proper was founded in 1935.^[2]

The town's long had large lumber plants but much of this business is now defunct. LUKoil is now the biggest business in Naryan-Mar.

The town's tourist attractions include the local museum, a World War II memorial, an Orthodox church and an old town, partly reconstructed just up the river. Fishing is also possible in the area. The town's main attractions are still it's services which include relaxing saunas for the weary traveler.