Vologda is one of the few cities in the north, whose history goes back as early as the pre-Mongol era of Kievan Rus.It is believed that the first settlement in this place was founded in the middle of the XII century.It is associated with the establishment of a monastery of the Holy Trinity.This version is confirmed by archaeological excavations, during which the artifacts were found.The earliest of them really belong to the XII century.The first reliable written mention of the Vologda belongs to the middle of the XIII century (document 1264).During this period, the settlement is going through a very intensive development and a population of Vologda is rapidly growing.She is beginning to attract the attention of neighbors and locals are periodically under the influence of Novgorod, then Moscow.
within the boundaries of Muscovy
In the XV century Vologda is completely within the boundaries of Moscow's territorial possessions.Such a fierce battle for the city was due to its very favorable geographical position.The fact that it is an ideal transit point on trade routes from north to south.Merchants brought here salt, furs, wax, fish, hemp.The population of the city of Vologda engaged in crafts, and leather dressing county first.And always could offer merchants the actual product.The period of greatest prosperity of the old Vologda became the XVI century, during which the city has become the largest northern mining and salt distribution point.
This salt was the main export and income for local people.Then, according to the number of inhabitants of the city became one of the largest in the country.Interestingly, in this period vologodtsy and did almost became the capital residents.Since 1567 Ivan the Terrible for several years regularly visiting the city.It has been speculated that Moscow presented the king of that period the concentration of dangerous opposition, because the boyars, he had a very complicated relationship, and Vologda could see him as the new capital of the kingdom.However, the success of the oprichnina, apparently deprived of meaning transfer of the capital to the north.
Vologodtsy in the Romanov empire
In 1612 the town was burned down in a raid by the Poles.However, it is relatively quickly restored to its former dimensions and by the mid-century, regained its former importance.Thus, by 1681 the population of Vologda has more than four thousand people.The vast majority (80%) of the local population in this period were townspeople.Slightly less significant layer was clergy and servicemen: respectively 14% and 5%.And, of course, the local aristocracy (1%).Prosperity continued until the beginning of the XVIII century.However, in this period, the town gradually begins to lose its commercial and strategic importance.This was due to Peter I the basis of the new capital on the Neva.The population of Vologda is inevitably shallow.If in 1713 there were more than ten thousand inhabitants, in 1782 they became seven thousand.The same trend continued throughout the next century.Animation could not cause even carrying the message of the railway Arkhangelsk - Moscow.
residents of Vologda in the Soviet period
At the beginning of the XX century the city's population is growing rapidly.During the revolution, even at the expense of refugees.According to the state census, in 1926, the city population was 26 thousand. Man, 95% of whom were Russian.In the thirties, the city experienced industrialization, significantly revive him.New boom in the life of the city experienced in the 60's, when there were established new industrial facilities: Poultry, opto-mechanical and machine-bearing plants.And already in 1989, the population of Vologda has reached the mark of 280 thousand. Man.
Modern residents
last two decades, the fate of the city resembled the situation in the rest of provincial Russia: heavy nineties, stopping the set of industrial enterprises.And gradually adapt to the market economy in the 2000.And with it the revival of social life.According to recent reports, in recent years the city's population, even experiencing some growth.Thus, the population of Vologda in 2013 is 306 thousand people, most of whom are Russian Statistics (over 97%).Interestingly, among the modern population of the city, 44% of men.
