Irkutsk Travel Guide

 

Irkutsk (Иркутск) is located in southern Siberia at the confluence of the Angara and Irkut rivers, roughly 30km from Lake Baikal (see map). With a population of roughly 625,000 inhabitants it is an industrial center, a port, the site of a hydroelectric dam and a major stop along the Trans-Siberian Railway.

 

Founded as a Cossack fortress in 1654, Irkutsk was used as a base to colonize Siberia and the Far East. For centuries it was also the destination of political exiles from both Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union. Many of the exiled made their homes in traditional log buildings which are preserved in the city center to this day.

 

Irkutsk, in reality, serves several purposes for international travelers. It serves as popular stopover and resting point for travelers riding the Trans-Siberian railway. It is a city rich in culture and history for those who want to get a sense of Russia's past. It is also used as a base for those who want to explore the nature and splendor of Lake Baikal.

 

 

 

 

Phoning Irkutsk
+ 7 (Country Code) + 3952 (City Code) + Telephone Number
For a complete list of Russia and CIS Dialing Codes, follow the link.

 

 

 

Independent Irkutsk Guides & Interpreters

Inna P Languages: English (fluent), French (interm) Availability: upon request Fee: $25 per hour Resume & Contact Info:
Julia I Languages: English (fluent) Availability: anytime Fee: $20 per hour Resume & Contact Info:

 

 

 

Irkutsk Weather (click for 3, 5 & 11 day forecast)

 

 

 

Additional Resources for Irkutsk, Russia

• Wikipedia: Irkutsk (eng)
• Wikipedia: Irkutsk Oblast (eng)
• Irkutsk, from Past to Present
• WWW Irkutsk: Information about Irkutsk city, Eastern Siberia, Lake Baikal, science, business opportunities and tourism (eng)
• Sites below are in Russian. To translate the web page, click on Google Translate and enter the site address.
• IRK.ru твой Иркутск: Site for Irkutsk residents and visitors (rus)
• Иркутск: Site of local government bodies in Irkutsk (rus)
• Порт Иркутск: Irkutsk city information portal (rus)
• Irkutsk Airport (rus)