Belokurikha

**Belokurikha** is a city in Altai Krai in Russia. It has been known as a resort since the 19th century and has federal significance.

## Physico-geographical characteristic

Located in the south-eastern part of the Altai Territory in the valley of the Belokurikha River, at an altitude of 240-250 meters above sea level. It is located in the foothills of Altai mountains, at the site of the exit of thermal Radon baths.

Territory: 92.3 km per square.

## History

The southern part of the resort town is bordered by the spurs of the ridge, which is covered with coniferous vegetation and shrubs: mountain ash, and bird cherry. In the vicinity of the city, acclimatized plants, that are uncharacteristic of the south of Western Siberia, such as oak and Manchurian walnut, are widespread.

In the 1920s, a resort village was founded on the site of the village of New Belokurikha. An office, a canteen, an outpatient clinic, and a solarium were built here, and in 1928 a hydropathic center for 24 baths and a polyclinic was built, and wooden dormitory buildings were erected between 1931-1934. The leaders of the Soviet state and their wives were resting here, as was the Russian writer K.G. Paustovsky.

In 1942, the all-Union pioneer camp Artek was evacuated to Belokurikha.

In the 1960s, most of the resorts were built, in which guests of the resort were treated and able to rest. The first in 1961 sanatorium, now called Eden, was commissioned.

In 1970, the village receives the status of a resort of all-union significance, in 1982 - the status of a city, and since 1992 it has been a resort of federal significance.

In 2003 and 2016, the President of Russia  Vladimir Putin visited the resort.

## Resort

In 2015, 219,000 tourists visited Belokurikha.

### Climatotherapy

It is characterized by a relatively high average annual air temperature (+4° C) for Siberia. Mild winters, non-hot summers, warm weather in spring and autumn months, mostly windless, short-term frosts in winter, alternating with frequent thaws and constant barometric pressure.

### Mountain air

Light air ions are the main healing component of mountain air. In Belokurikha, the content of light air ions is from 1014 to 2400, which is twice their content in the world-famous Swiss resort of Davos. Increased air ionization is especially noted on adjacent hills and terraces.

### Thermal waters

Sources in Belokurikha are thermal nitrogen-siliceous radon-containing waters or nitrogen therms. They surface at a temperature of 30° C and 42° C. They contain a small amount of radon, a lot of nitrogen, fluorine, and silicic acid, as well as various trace elements (Alkaline and mineral water). Healing mud from salt lakes of the Altai Territory is also used.

### Skiing

At the beginning of 2010, the resort had three main ski slopes equipped: Katun, the central slope of the resort, measuring 800 meters long, Severny at 650 meters long, and mount, at 2050 meters long.

## Literature

- Ново-Белокуриха // Энциклопедический словарь Брокгауза и Ефрона : в 86 т. (82 т. и 4 доп.). — СПб., 1890—1907.
- Поспелов Е. М. Географические названия России. Топонимический словарь. — М.: Астрель, АСТ, 2008. — 523 с. — 1 500 экз. — ISBN 978-5-17-054966-5

## Other websites

- City administration
- Belokurikha Online - city public site
- Photo-site of the resort town Belokurikha