Coat of arms

Irkutsk

Irkutsk

Irkutsk is a major city in Siberia and often considered the unofficial capital of Eastern Siberia. It is situated on the Trans-Siberian Railway and it is certainly worth a stop-off in this Historical City of Russia. If visiting Irkutsk you should also definitely take the opportunity to visit Lake Baikal. The easiest way to do this is to visit nearby Listvyanka, but the more adventurous can also travel from Irkutsk to Olkhon Island in the middle of Baikal.


Basic facts
Name in Russian
Иркутск
Status
City-municipality and administrative centre of the Irkutsk region
Location
On the River Angara
Distance
1,865km south-east of Novosibirsk; 5,110km east of Moscow
Time Zone
Irkutsk Time (Moscow +5)
Population
612,973 people (2014)
Founded
1661
Titles/Awards
Historical City of Russia
City Day
First Saturday in June
Official Website
http://www.admirk.ru/