YUGRA - TERRITORY FOR LOVERS OF ANTIQUITY AND SEVERE EXOTICS

MOSCOW, October 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russian and foreign tourism companies are getting highly interested in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous area (Yugra). Last year 363,500 people including 11,000 foreigners visited Yugra last year (52% more than in 2002). According to most modest estimates, by 2007 the number of foreigners wishing to see the beauties of the northern part of West Siberia will double and the number of Russian tourists will grow up to 450,000, Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper says.

Yugra is located in the Northern Urals. It is mentioned in the first Russian chronicle, "The Tale of Bygone Years."

The ancient capital of the Emderskoye Principality (12th-16th centuries) on the Endyr River with the remains of fortifications, smithies, bone-carving shops and altars is situated here.

The town of Berezov is known as the place of exile of Prince Alexander Menshikov, Peter the Great's favorite, the Dolgoruky princes and Decembrists.

Yugra is a unique natural complex with thousands of rivers and lakes, snow-covered mountain tops of the Pre-Polar Urals, and taiga forests. It offers the best riches of Siberia to hunt and fish. Local tourism companies offer walking and river tours and horse and snowmobile safaris.

Ethnographical tourism is also attractive. One can get acquainted with culture of ancient Khanty and Mansi nations, live in heated tepees, ride in deer carts, participate in traditional games and competitions, taste national dishes, listen to the songs, legends and ethnic music and see Shaman rituals.

Many people consider Yugra a faraway and deserted land famous for it oil production. However, those who visit it are impressed by developed infrastructure, the great number of hotels, entertainment, sports and cultural centers, ultramodern architecture, the network of Russia's best roads, 12 airports (including 4 international ones), railways and river transport.