Intro
Ufa is one big city in the southern Ural region fairly unknown outside Russia . Home to the Bashkir who are the native tribe of the land. As of today, they are outnumbered by the Russian. Irrespective of the ethnic mix, everyone lives in peace with one another in the city with slightly above a million in population. If you asked anyone from Russia about one thing Ufa is known for, the answer you will get is quite simple, crude oil. The city is oil capital of Ural region. The oil is so plenteous that the city alone has three big refineries to process them. Oil is good but cold may not sound so pleasant is an extreme cold place to live if you don’t mind.
Its intercontinental weather is so cold winter temperature drop to -25C in January. And it is what make dense forest vegetation of fir, birch, spruce to thrive. The low hills of southern Ural complete the terrain with an amazing view. And, out from them proceed two mighty rivers, between which Ufa is straddled. There are Belaya and Ufa rivers.
Transport
Ufa, and Sochi (a city on the bank of the black sea) are the two cities competing for the longest city in Russia. No doubt Ufa is long. It would take nothing less than two hours to travel from south to north of the city. The major form of transportation in the city is bus. First on the transportation means is the long-public buses, follow immediately by small bus called Marshrutka and third on the list is the taxi. There are also trolley buses, trams and ferries. Transport fare varies depending on the means of transport of choice. The costliest is the taxi with goes for around 300-800 Ruble. Generally, most families have their own cars and the high numbers of private cars often results in heavy traffic, especially in the evening. There is a plan to building underground metro. The construction of which has since started and only to be suspended again just like the city nuclear power plant. The new state government has embarked on facelifting project for the city and is responsible for the new shining buses. Public transport is well subsided by the government. The city roads are wide, accommodating between 4 to 6 lanes. Ufa has one international airport from which aero planes depart to places as far flung as Seoul .
Means of Transportation |
Price in Ruble |
Price in Dollar |
---|---|---|
Public Bus (long Bus) |
₽15 |
$0.197 |
Marshrutka (Small Bus) |
₽28-30 |
$0.36 -0.39 |
Taxi |
₽300-500 |
$3.9 - 10.52 |
Trolley Bus |
₽15 |
$0.197 |
Tram |
₽15 |
$0.197 |
Ferry |
₽50 |
$0.65 |
Park
When it comes to parks Ufa come first ahead of other cities. It was not a surprise it was voted the greenest city in Russia. The many parks and forests in the city are places of interest. They are so many, I keep discovering them. These parks are exclusive in history and in many faucets. I have given them nickname because of their uniqueness. This city greenery is no way confined to the park alone, everywhere you go in the city you would likely come across wide avenue linen with trees. Together they make walking a refreshing experience.
Among the popular parks are;
Park Imeni Yakutova-The Wonderland park.
Katok V Parke Im. M.gafuri - The children park.
Kashkardan Park – My Loving Park.
Sport
Ufa is home of Salavat Yulaev ice hockey club. The winner of Russian hockey league in 2009 and 2010. The Ice hockey club is the delight of the city and hockey remains number one sport. The club green and blue jersey is popular casual wear . You will find both the young and old adorning their jersey on the streets. The club is so love in that its players are automatic celebrities, no question asked. Another great club from the city is FC Ufa https://www.fcufa.pro/ . If you are a regular fan of European champions league, you will recall that FC ufa competed for spot in the league some years back. And it is one of the top clubs in Russian premier league. In the same spirit of success, Ufa Biathlon center has also produced many great athletes, who has made everyone proud. Ufa horse race course Akbuzat is another place that brings excitement. Many top jockeys currently race there.
Theatre
Ufa is a city of art and culture. Many theatres are situated within its borders. They are so many I can’t recollect all of them. Among the top is the prestigious [State Opera and Ballet](http:// Google Maps ) , Ufa Tatarsky Nor center and Rus Drama center . These theaters host shows monthly. The ticket price is usually from 1000 ruble ($ 13) upward for ballet. Stage drama is a little cheaper, it goes around 500 rubles ($ 6.57). The National Youth center is another popular place where young artist horns their skills in the city. Complimenting these places are the movie theaters spread over the city and among the frequent is the Rodina Movie Center . Other modern one include :
Kinomax planeta.
[Megapolis- Iremel](http:// Google Maps)
etc. Ticket goes average of 100-500 Ruble. ($ 1.31- $6.57)
Demography
Various ethnicity lives in Ufa. Among them are the Russian, Bashkir, Tatar, Armenian, Uzbeks, Jew, Kyrgyz and Ukrainian. The Bashkir people are the first inhabitant of Ufa. They are interesting people to meet and are nice to a fault. They are friendly indeed. They are proud of their heritage and culture, all of which they hold on to tightly. There way of lives is quite diverse as well. Bashkir live is beautiful that is better seen than narrated. The Bashkir attires are the most beautiful I have ever seen and with traditional yurt home they present a perfect combination.
Tradition & Cuisine
When it comes to food, Ufa welcome you with both hands. Bashkir cuisine is wide and all delicious. Here you will find Bashkir Kumis, Buza, Beremes, Qazy chak-chak, Botch, soup, dumplings and many more. Hundreds of restaurants are dedicated to serving traditional Bashkir menu. The Bashkir cuisine will not be completed without mentioning local honey. Much has been written about this honey and its medicinal benefits. It is one reason people come from far and wide to the city.
Among the top restaurant experience to Bashkir cuisine are:
- Kunak Ashy
- House of Bashkiria Cuisine
- Azyk Tulek
- Cafe Kitchen
- [Restomarket kitchen](http:// Google Maps)
Education
Many institutions located in the city and together they offer courses in oil & gas, aviation and mining. Ufa State oil & gas university is particularly renowned throughout Russia. Like mentioned earlier, the State of Bashkiria whose Ufa is capital is blessed with mineral resources such as bauxite, cuprite and uraninite. Ufa also has a large geological university and aviation university whose graduate can be found at many engineering works the city.
On top of the list are:
- Ufa State Petroleum Technological University
- Ufa State Aviation Technology University
- Bashkir State Agrarian University
- Bashkir State Medical University
- Bashkir State University
Industries
Ufa is an industrial city by all standard. It is one city known for oil and petrochemical industries. The three refineries in the city produces chemicals for local consumption and export. Aluminum processing form the base line for aeronautic industries in the city and among the popular is UMPO
which make Jet engine, KAMOV helicopter part makers are also in the city and many electronic factories supplies electronic components to aviation industries. Ufa bus work is another state industry that manufacture public buses in the city.