The Kirov region

The Kirov region is situated in the central-eastern part of the European Russia, stretching for 570 km from the north to the south and for 440 km from the west to the east. The total area of region's territory in its modern borders is 120,8 thousand sq. km.
The region takes advantage of its location at the crossing of trade routes. Railways main lines are crossing the region, connecting the centre of Russia with the Urals, Siberia and Far East, and also with the southern regions. Waterways - the river Vyatka and its tributaries, which stretch for more than 2 thousand km, lead the region to the Baltic, White, Kaspian, Azof and Black Seas. The system of roads, the largest from which is the highway of federal importance Saint-Petersburg - Ekaterinburg, connects the region with fts neighbouring regions.
The major natural resources of Vyatka are forests, mainly consisting of coniferous kinds of timber, they cover more than 60% of the territory. In reserve of the forest Kirov region is one of I the most richest regions in the European part of Russia Merchantable wood and lumber are exported to a great number of countries of j the world. From time immemorial the forests of Vyatka are famous for great reserves of medicinal herbs, mushrooms, berries and game. The region is reach on mineral waters and medicinal mud.
The great value have the deposits of mineral materials - ferrous and copper ore, peat, non-ore mineral raw materials: limestone, marl, gravel, glass-making sand and clay, used in porcelain and faience manufacture. On balance of the region there are 14 deposits of carbonate rocks. In some areas of the region the large bitumen shales were found. New technologies in output and thermal processing of these raw materials allow to get not only electric power, but also clear petroleum products, bitumen, rare kinds of oil, medicine and buildings materials.
Advantageous location, reserves of mineral and vegetable raw materials determine the diversity of the region's economy. Chemical and petrochemical industries, power industry, machine-building and wood-working industries, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy are developed in Vyatka.
Material production is based upon enterprises of defense-industrial complex. In the new economic conditions the largest plants of the region managed to profile and directed the part of their facilities to production of consumer goods, retaining its leading positions. Stock Company "Electrical Machine-Building Plant named in honour of Lepse", Vyatka State Machine-Building Enterprise "Avitek" and others actively master the new kinds of modern products.
Among the largest enterprises of the region are Stock Company "Belokholunizky Plant", producing the conveyors of all kinds for the metallurgy and chemical plants, for construction and agriculture; plant "Krasny Instrumentalshchik" - an unique producer of measuring gauges; Kirovsky Machine-Building Plant named in honour of the 1st of May - the largest plant in Russia, producing special equipment for construction and maintenance of railway. The enterprises of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy achieve a good pace of work in many respects thanks to large-scale technical re-equipment. Omutninsky Metallurgy Plant holds a firm position in the country in manufacture of special metal profiles, including lifting guides. Stock Company "Kirovsky Non-ferrous Metallurgy Plant" occupies the largest segment of Russian sales market, makes export deliveries of rolled metall to countries of Western Europe, South-Eastern Asia, the USA.
Among leading enterprises in woodprocessing are the plant "Krasny yakor" in the city of Slobodskoy, Novovyatsky plant of wood-processing. The products of furniture companies are always much in demand of customers. The enterprise "MZ-5" (trademark "Mobel&Zeit"), specializing in upholstered furniture, was honoured by high awards, including international.
The enterprises of food and manufacturing industries take more and more noticeable part. Many enterprises have modernized their production, have installed modern equipment, produced in Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden. The products of Kirov enterprises don't surrender, and sometimes excel the western analogues not only in quality, but also in outward appearance. Products of получили Kirovsky Margarine Plant with trademark "Zdrava", Kirovsky Dairy Plant (trademark "Vyatushka"), Kirov Meat-Processing Plant got admission at all-Russian and international exhibitions. At the international trade forums in London and Brussels the products of Open Joint Stock Company "Slobodskoy Spirit-Vodka Plant" got gold and silver medals.
Since the ancient times Vyatka has been famous for its fur trade. Fur company "Metako" is more than 100 years old. One of the largest factories in Russia "Belka" annually demonstrates its collections in Germany, Italy, France and at the prestigeous exhibitions in Russia