Описание (английский)
Yoshkar-Ola is the capital city of the Mari El Republic, Russia. Its population is about a quarter million. Yoshkar-Ola means red city in Mari and was formerly known as Tsaryovokokshaysk (Царёвококшайск) before 1919, as Krasnokokshaysk (Краснококшайск) between 1919 and 1927 (both after the Malaya Kokshaga River, which runs through the city) and Charla (Чарла) (old Mari). Yoshkar-Ola was established as a military fortress in 1584, following the Russian conquest of the Mari region.
Yoshkar-Ola was established as a military fortress in 1584, following the Russian conquest of the Mari region.
During the Soviet era, especially after World War II,
the city was a regional industrial and transport center and grew to its
current size. The collapse of the Soviet Union removed support for state enterprises, and led to the shutdown of most manufacturing activity in the area. Much of the city's economic activity was supported by shuttle traders who would transport (often counterfeit) goods from the bustling markets of Moscow
to Yoshkar-Ola's bazaars. The sharp decline in living standards led to
the emigration of specialized professionals to larger cities in Russia.