- published: 13 Sep 2011
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Syktyvkar (Russian: Сыктывка́р; IPA: [sɨktɨfˈkar]; Komi: Сыктывкар) is the capital city of the Komi Republic, Russia. Population: 235,006 (2010 Census); 230,011 (2002 Census); 232,117 (1989 Census).
The city's current name comes from Syktyv, the Komi name for the same river, plus kar, meaning "city".
Syktyvkar is located on the Sysola River, which is the origin of its former name Ust-Sysolsk. The city is located near to the point where the Sysola joins the larger Vychegda River, which is itself a branch of the Northern Dvina.
It is believed that there has been a settlement at the city's present site since at least the 16th century. It was granted city status by Catherine the Great in 1780, and later became the administrative center of Komi Autonomous Oblast. It has retained its position as the Komi capital since that point, although a large influx of ethnic Russians in the 20th century has actually left the Komi in a minority there.
The majority of the population were merchants and peasants. The main occupations of the inhabitants were agriculture, cattle-breeding, hunting, fishing, and trade.