Kharp

Kharp (Russian: Харп; Nenets: Харп, lit. 'aurora') is an urban locality (an urban-type settlement) in the Priuralsky District of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia, on the bank of the Sob River near the Polar Urals. Population: 6,413 (2010 Census);^[1] 7,278 (2002 Census);^[4] 5,381 (1989 Soviet census).^[5]

Kharp Харп
Urban-type settlement
Kharp, January 2008
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Kharp
Kharp Location of Kharp Show map of Russia Kharp Kharp (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) Show map of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Coordinates: 66°48′30″N 65°48′15″E
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Population  (2010 Census)[1]
• Total	6,413
Administrative status
• Subordinated to	Priuralsky District
Time zone	UTC+5 (MSK+2 [2])
Postal code(s)[3]	629420
OKTMO ID	71953000052

Geography and features

The nearest major settlement is Salekhard, roughly 45 kilometres (28 miles) away. Kharp is the location of prison/penal colonies IK-18 Polar Owl and IK-3 Polar Wolf,^[6] two of Russia’s northernmost prisons.^[7]

History

The town was built by Gulag prisoners during the Stalin era.^[8][7] The settlement began with the creation of the Podgornaya railway station, which consisted of several houses of railway workers. By decision of the Tyumen Regional Council of Workers' Deputies dated January 24, 1968 No. 54, the Podgornaya station was transformed into the rural village of Kharp,^[9] and in December 1971, by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, the Kharp Rural Council was formed.^[10] On April 9, 1981, Kharp was transferred to the administrative subordination of the city of Labytnangi (Labytnangi City Council).^[11] Kharp became a workers' village, and the village council was transformed into the Kharp village council. Since 1992, the administration of the rural settlement is Kharp.^[10]

On 16 February 2024, opposition leader Alexei Navalny died while imprisoned at Polar Wolf penal colony in Kharp.^[12]

See also

• Far North (Russia)
• Salekhard–Igarka Railway