Tomsk

Tomsk (Томск) (2002 pop. 483,800), a city in the southwest of Siberian Federal District, i.e. W Siberia, Russia, seat of the Tomsk Oblast. Geographical location 56°29′ N 84°59′ E

In 1604 the Russian Tsar Boris Godunov ordered Cossack leader Gavril Pisemsky and Boyar son Tyrkov to found a fort on the Tom River, on Tatar land, to protect the river crossing. It became important as a military center for pacifying the native people and evolved into a regional administrative center. Beginning in the late 1830s, its population grew quickly thanks to the intensifying Gold-Mining activity in Siberia.

Tomsk State University is the first University in Siberia (was founded in 1880). Prominent Tomsk State University library book reserve is considered to be among the richest in Russia.

Tomsk is well-known for its (gingerbread) carved wooden houses. The quantity of these wooden houses is constantly decreasing due to fire and new construction.

It is also home to the local non-governmental TV station, TV-2.

Tomsk is well known hub of IT industry. There are several dozens of software companies in the city. Conteksoft is the largest one.