Mogocha (Russian: Могоча, IPA: [mɐˈgotɕə]) is a town and the administrative center of Mogochinsky District in Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia, located 709 kilometers (441 mi) northeast of Chita, the administrative center of the krai. Population: 13,258 (2010 census); 13,282 (2002 census); 17,847 (1989 Soviet census).

Etymology

The name "Mogocha" is derived from the river on which it stands, whose name comes from the Evenki word mongochi. This meaning of this word is ambiguous; it can be translated as golden valley, but also as belonging to the Mongo tribe.

Geography

Mogocha is located near of the southern slopes of the Olyokma-Stanovik, at the confluence of the Mogocha and Amazar rivers.

History

It was founded in 1910, with the construction of the local section of the Trans-Siberian Railway.[citation needed] Rail traffic began in 1914. In addition to its status as a supply point for the railway, from the 1920s and 1930s it became the base for gold mining in the surrounding area. Town status was granted to it in 1950.[citation needed]

From 1947 until 1953, Mogocha was site for the Klyuchevlag prison labor camp of the gulag system. The camp held up to 3,000 prisoners at any one time, mainly used as forced labor for molybdenum and gold mining in the villages to the southwest of the town.

During the deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations in the 1950s, a large airbase was created near Mogocha, which hosted several helicopter regiments until the 1990s. The remoteness of Mogocha combined with the harsh climatic conditions, gave rise to the Soviet military slang expression God created Sochi, and Satan Mogocha.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and subsequent economic crisis, Mogocha lost around one third of its population, a common occurrence for cities in the Russian Far East. At the same time, a significant number of Chinese citizens and companies have moved to the region.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Mogocha serves as the administrative center of Mogochinsky District, to which it is directly subordinated. As a municipal division, the town of Mogocha, together with four rural localities, is incorporated within Mogochinsky Municipal District as Mogochinskoye Urban Settlement.

Economy

Other than railway-related industries, there is logging and timber milling conducted in the surrounding area.

Transportation

Winter train stop in Mogocha

Mogocha has a station on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The town's small airport, which had opened in 1937, was closed during the 1990s.

Climate

Mogocha has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dwc) with bitterly cold, dry winters and mild, rainy summers.

Climate data for Mogocha
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)−3.2 (26.2)6.3 (43.3)14.3 (57.7)23.1 (73.6)31.9 (89.4)35.4 (95.7)37.6 (99.7)33.8 (92.8)29.6 (85.3)21.5 (70.7)9.5 (49.1)2.0 (35.6)37.6 (99.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−20.5 (−4.9)−12.9 (8.8)−4.2 (24.4)5.6 (42.1)14.9 (58.8)22.1 (71.8)24.4 (75.9)21.6 (70.9)14.6 (58.3)4.4 (39.9)−10.5 (13.1)−20.7 (−5.3)3.2 (37.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)−27.9 (−18.2)−22.7 (−8.9)−13.8 (7.2)−1.9 (28.6)7.0 (44.6)14.0 (57.2)17.1 (62.8)14.5 (58.1)7.3 (45.1)−3.0 (26.6)−17.8 (0.0)−27.1 (−16.8)−4.5 (23.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−35.4 (−31.7)−32.6 (−26.7)−23.5 (−10.3)−9.4 (15.1)−1 (30)5.8 (42.4)9.8 (49.6)7.3 (45.1)−0.1 (31.8)−10.4 (13.3)−25.2 (−13.4)−33.5 (−28.3)−12.3 (9.9)
Record low °C (°F)−48.8 (−55.8)−51.5 (−60.7)−44.2 (−47.6)−29.3 (−20.7)−16.7 (1.9)−6.7 (19.9)−3.1 (26.4)−5.1 (22.8)−12.8 (9.0)−32 (−26)−43.6 (−46.5)−51.7 (−61.1)−51.7 (−61.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)3.3 (0.13)3.6 (0.14)5.5 (0.22)16.9 (0.67)34.4 (1.35)75.0 (2.95)114.9 (4.52)105.0 (4.13)49.9 (1.96)14.3 (0.56)10.2 (0.40)5.7 (0.22)438.7 (17.25)
Average precipitation days4.54.24.55.98.714.115.414.910.65.86.96.4101.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours1241722322242472422342021731751341032,262
Source: climatebase.ru (1910-2012)

Notes

Sources

  • Министерство территориального развития Забайкальского края. 1 января 2014 г. «Реестр административно-территориальных единиц и населённых пунктов Забайкальского края», в ред. Распоряжения №209-р от 10 июня 2014 г.. (Ministry of the Territorial Development of Zabaykalsky Krai. January 1, 2014 Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Units and the Inhabited Localities of Zabaykalsky Krai, as amended by the Directive #209-r of June 10, 2014. ).
  • Законодательное Собрание Забайкальского края. Закон №317-ЗЗК от 18 декабря 2009 г. «О границах сельских и городских поселений Забайкальского края», в ред. Закона №1070-ЗЗК от 31 октября 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Забайкальского края "О границах сельских и городских поселений Забайкальского края"». Вступил в силу через десять дней после дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Забайкальский рабочий", №239–242, 21 декабря 2009 г. (Legislative Assembly of Zabaykalsky Krai. Law #317-ZZK of December 18, 2009 On the Borders of the Rural and Urban Settlements of Zabaykalsky Krai, as amended by the Law #1070-ZZK of October 31, 2014 On Amending the Law of Zabaykalsky Krai "On the Borders of the Rural and Urban Settlements of Zabaykalsky Krai". Effective as of the day which is ten days after the day of the official publication.).
  • Законодательное Собрание Забайкальского края. Закон №316-ЗЗК от 18 декабря 2009 г. «О границах муниципальных районов и городских округов Забайкальского края», в ред. Закона №770-ЗЗК от 26 декабря 2012 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Забайкальского края "О границах муниципальных районов и городских округов Забайкальского края"». Вступил в силу через десять дней после дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Забайкальский рабочий", №239–242, 21 декабря 2009 г. (Legislative Assembly of Zabaykalsky Krai. Law #316-ZZK of December 18, 2009 On the Borders of the Municipal Districts and Urban Okrugs of Zabaykalsky Krai, as amended by the Law #770-ZZK of December 26, 2012 On Amending the Law of Zabaykalsky Krai "On the Borders of the Municipal Districts and Urban Okrugs of Zabaykalsky Krai". Effective as of the day which is ten days after the day of the official publication.).