Overview:

Kemerovo, situated at the confluence of the Iskitimka and Tom Rivers, stands as the administrative center of Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. Formerly known as Shcheglovsk until March 27, 1932, it thrives in the major coal mining region of the Kuznetsk Basin.

History:

• Kemerovo’s roots trace back to 1657 when Verkhotomsky ostrog was established.
• The settlement of Shcheglovsk, founded in 1701, later became a village and eventually evolved into modern-day Kemerovo.
• Coal discovery in 1721 spurred the region’s development, with the first coal mines in 1907 and a chemical plant in 1916.
• The town received town status on May 9, 1918, known as Shcheglovsk, and was later renamed Kemerovo on May 27, 1932.
• In 1943, Kemerovo became the administrative center of Kemerovo Oblast.

Recent Events:

• In 2018, a tragic fire in a shopping mall claimed the lives of 60 people.
• In 2022, another unfortunate incident occurred, with at least 20 people losing their lives in a fire at a nursing home.

Transportation:

Public Transport

• Kemerovo boasts an extensive public transport network:

  • 70 city bus routes (including 6 seasonal)
  • 63 suburban routes (including 35 seasonal)
  • 53 public taxi routes (including 2 seasonal)
  • 5 tram routes
  • 9 trolleybus routes

• Daily, 686 transport units operate, including buses, route taxis, and electric transport.

• Fare Information (as of March 24, 2019):

  • Public transport: 20 rubles
  • Express buses: 21 rubles
  • Fixed-route taxis: 22 rubles

• Free Wi-Fi in all Kemerovo trams aims to enhance passenger experience.

Climate:

• Kemerovo experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb).
• Summers are warm, and winters are long and severely cold.
• Average temperatures range from −17 °C (1 °F) in January to 19 °C (66 °F) in July.
• Annual precipitation is relatively low, around 525 mm (20.7 in).

Kemerovo, with its rich history and diverse climate, continues to be a dynamic city in the heart of the Kuznetsk Basin.