Shuryshkarsky region was founded on December 10, 1930, according to a Resolution of All-Russia Central Executive Committee d/d December 10, 1930. Initially, its administrative center used to be the township of Shuryshkary. The present capital of the region is the township of Muzhi, with population of 3,380 people.

The region is geographically situated in the south-western part of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, where wooded tundra turns to taiga zone. From south to north, the territory is crossed by the great Siberian river Ob. The nature in flood-lands of the Bolshaya and Malaya Ob has created ideal conditions for feeding whitefish; also, in Ural tributaries of the Ob - the Syna and Voykara there are unique breeding sites of whitefish.

In the 30s zoning of northern territories was carried out according to nationality, which is why initially Shuryshkarsky region was not included to Ostyako-Vogulsky (Khanty-Mansi) national area. It was not until September 10, 1937, that the Resolution of All-Russia Executive Committee formalized it as part of Yamal-Nenets National Area.

Apart from eight centers of village territories - Muzhy, Gorky, Ovgort, Shuryshkary, Pitlyar, Vosyakhovo, Azovy, Lopkhari, - a big part of the region population live in small settlements - 'gorty'. These are, basically, representatives of indigenous nationality, the Khanty. In total the region settles 39 'gorty'. Historically, the indigenous inhabitants of the region have mainly lived nomad and half-nomad lifestyle.

Nomadic part of the population is represented by deer farmers, who primarily inhabit villages like: Ovgort, Yamgort, Vershina-Voykary, Pitlyar. There are seasonal settlements - summer and winter ones. Winter villages - 'gorty' of fishermen - are located alongside the rivers Voykar, Synya and Kunovat. In summer fishermen families move to inundated fisheries of the Bolshaya and Malaya Ob.

In-migrant movement is one of the historical facts which cannot be crossed out from the book of the region past. Different periods of historical upheavals were marked by in-migrations of the Kalmucks, Finns, Germans, well-off Russian peasantry. These were in-migrants who founded such villages like Pitlyar and Gorky. In fact, they were the people who brought up the key production basis of the biggest industrial enterprise - a fish plant, whose subdivisions can still be found in almost each large settlement of the region.

In 30-70s of last century the region was considered to be the provision store of the district. The region successfully developed dairy farming, crop-farming (alongside with potatoes, they grew here cabbage, carrot, turnip), glass farming (cucumbers, tomatoes, radish).

The region economy remains traditionally targeted at agriculture. Two municipal agriculture enterprises Muzhevskoye and Gorkovskoye, apart from deer-breeding, go on developing diary farming and fishing. Besides, Gorky retained cage farming. On the territory of the region there is one of the largest in the district fishing enterprise - Gorkovsky fish plant.

Unique is the nature of Shuryshkarsky region - its water area, flora and fauna. In 1964 Kunovatsky state preserve was opened. It consists of two areas - Bolshelobsky, situated in the interfluve of the Bolshaya and Malaya Ob, and Kunovatsky, which is a nesting spot of most rare on the planet birds - Siberian white cranes. A silhouette of this noble bird is part of the ornament on the municipality flag and coat of arms.

The local population played an important part spreading Christianity to the North. Here, in Kushevat, emerged one of the first in the north Ob region Nativity Church (1714). Church of St. Michael was erected in Muzhy in the mid-nineteenth century (1840).

The culture of Shuryshkarsky region is unique and original. People living in this severe and wonderful land are rich in talents. This is the birthplace of prominent poets and writers of the North - Ivan Istomin, Prokopy Saltykov, Roman Rugin, Yurii Afanasyev, Ivan Shulgin, Nikolay Dudnikov, Pavel Cherkashin; among artists there are Gennady Khartaganov, Vladimir Anufriev, Evgeny Alyaba, Anatoly Rusmilenko, Dmitry Khartaganov, Nikolay Romanov, Anatoly Svalov, Nadezhda Taligina; also such scientists like: Tamara Goldberg (Arteyeva), Valentina Krivolapova, Vladimir Zamyatin, Yurii Rochev, Raisa Skameyko (Shiyanova); composer Alexey Terentyev; film director Fyodor Konev.

Much effort was needed to make the long way from survivals of time past like 'krasny chum', feldsher's station and village reading room to present institutions of education, health care and culture. The region has 9 health care institutions, 10 educational schools, 11 kindergartens, 2 musical schools, a center of arts, 12 village recreation centers, 11 village libraries, a regional museum of local lore, history and economy and its 2 branches, Northern Panorama newspaper office, informational agency TRV-Muzhy.

The region history and its unique national traditions make it of great interest for various explorations. Every year the place attracts archaeological, ethnographic and folklore expeditions not only from the largest scientific Russian centers, but also from abroad - Finland, Hungary and Germany.

The key target in social and economic life of the region for 2005-2007 is gradual increase of living standards and bringing down social inequality. One of the main goals of municipal authorities' activity will be not mere maintenance of economic recovery, but also carrying on with structural reforming, creation of conditions for promotion of investment activities.

The basic activities to provide it will be:
-providing the conditions for effective industry development on the municipality territory, intensifying investment activity in production sector of economy;
-providing decent living standards for all the municipality population, steady development of social sphere, bringing up real earnings, the standard of living and consumer demand;
-providing and cultivation of conditions for recovery, protection of interests of entrepreneurs manufacturing goods and services, upbringing of efficient proprietors, greater control of sound management of municipality property;
-extension of formal advertising practice, involving 'small business' enterprises in the process, with the aim of budget economy.

Carrying out such economic policies will encourage further market reorganization and structural reforming in the municipal economy.

Maximum volume of investments (in terms of money) is expected in 2005, maximum volume of production - in 2007.

The key municipal administration task is to competently carry out all the district policies, which are numerous. It involves huge financial resources and big responsibility, since all the programs are socially oriented - capital construction of schools, hospitals, accommodation. Ultimately, the municipality authorities are responsible for providing good life and work conditions for people.

The head of the municipality
Alexander Alexandrovich Vaymer
Telephone (reception) (34594) 2-12-90
Municipality administration e-mail:
Sterh@muji.salekhard.ru