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Unalaska Is As Far West As You Can Go Using U.S. Public Transportation — Here’s What's There

The ever-expanding tapestry of commercial airline routes, train lines, and highways criss-crossing so much of our planet makes it profoundly difficult to ever feel like you’re on the “edge” of anything. Many of us now think about distances in terms of airborne hours, like how from New York, it takes basically the same time to reach either Los Angeles or Dublin. And these days, you can even drive the Canadian highway system all the way north to the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories — and then theoretically turn right back around and drive all the way south to Patagonia. As it turns out, a real sense of having made it to the edge of civilization can be challenging to find.

On a recent trip to Alaska, as someone who has an affinity for such places (I once drove four hours south of Perth, Western Australia just to stand on “the furthest land on earth from New York City,” where I lived at the time), I set out to find what could only be described as “the end of the line.” When reviewing an online map for the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, my finger traced across my laptop screen all the way west to the port of Dutch Harbor. Nestled on the mysteriously named island of Unalaska, Dutch Harbor is the final terminus, as far west as any public transportation in the Americas can bring you. Of course, knowing almost nothing about this remote island other than how remote it was — and that it was the setting for the hit television show Deadliest Catch, where fearless fisherman brave turbulent seas — I thought, “That’s it. That’s where I want to go.”

Saying you want to go somewhere and sorting out the logistics of that decision, however, are two very different things. The ferries take about sixty-five hours to reach Unalaska from Homer, and that’s assuming there aren’t any delays as you cruise over the churning, unpredictable North Pacific. I had time to explore, but definitely not that much time — suddenly, the $490, two-hour Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage seemed to be worth every penny.

The way my plans worked out, I would have just twenty-four hours on the island. Little did I know, I would depart with a thirst for even more time to spend there, even more time to explore this mysterious place at the edge of the world.

As my plane drew close to land on Unalaska, the first thing I noticed was the desolation. The volcanic landscape rises abruptly and dramatically, dividing the Bering Sea to the north from the North Pacific to the south. Thanks to millennia of storms, harsh winds, and a couple of ice ages, the island is almost entirely devoid of trees. The island is surprisingly green, the sort of rich emerald and seaweed hues that bloom in tundra-like climates. It appeared at once barren and lush in a way I had never seen — despite the treelessness, had this island popped out of the sea a couple thousand miles south, it would almost feel Hawaiian. I thought back to just two hours prior, waiting for my flight in Anchorage, when a salty-looking older man waiting for the same flight told me, “There’s a pretty woman behind every tree on Unalaska.”

When you step off the plane or ferry here, you’re closer to Siberia than you are to Vancouver. At first blush, it’s easy to wonder with uneasiness about “how” and “why” people would live in such a desolate place (today, the island’s population hovers about 4,500). But the truth is that the Aleuts thrived on Unalaska for over nine thousand years. Understanding this fact is at odds with everything we thought we knew about the word “remote,” especially its European and colonial assumptions. “Remote” is ultimately a relative term.

First things first — transportation. There are two car rental companies on Unalaska: B.C. Vehicle Rental , and North Port Rentals . If one is sold out, they will probably send you to the competitor no questions asked, and both are likely to remind you to park into the wind — parking sideways against the wind might result in a rollover situation, the kind of embarrassing tourist faux-pas that will make you the talk of the island within minutes. Nobody wants that.

Once the rental is sorted, begin with an aimless drive around town to get your bearings. It’s pretty much impossible to get lost here, and there is much to see: a scattering of decrepit World War II bunkers; two, two! United States Post Offices; and an austere Russian Orthodox Church dating back to 1894. Take an hour to visit the Museum of the Aleutians , where fantastic collections of indigenous artifacts illuminate this otherwise bleak landscape with human history. There are also a number of hikes on the island ranging from an hour to full-day in length. A quick walk up Mount Ballyhoo provides exceptional views of the harbor, of town, and of the surrounding views. For a more challenging hike, consider the Agamgik Trail , which ends at English Bay, where Captain Cook landed in 1778 — you’re unlikely to encounter another soul the entire way.

If you drive just north from town, you’ll get to the heart of what keeps this island running: commercial fishing. Dutch Harbor is the largest fishing port by volume in the United States, and the docks here are often lined with enormous “factory trawlers,” vessels which go out for days or even weeks at a time, dragging football field-sized nets through open ocean to catch fish. Just oogling at these enormous vessels is an activity unto itself. Halibut, sablefish, and crab are all up for grabs, but the real story in Dutch Harbor is Wild Alaska Pollock, a subset of the cod family. Pollock is considered one of the most sustainable fish populations in the world, and it’s also an enormous moneymaker for the island — the species is used in everything from McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, to imitation crab meat exported to Asian markets, to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Marine Collagen Powder. It’s remarkable to see these ships loaded with tons and tons and tons of wriggling silver pollock, and almost strange to think about the generations of fishermen who have worked these nets in this secluded corner of the globe, sending their catch around the world to be turned into everything from fast food in Kentucky to collagen powder in Beverly Hills. Perhaps Unalaska isn’t so isolated after all.

After a full day of exploration, all roads lead back to the center of town for happy hour at the Norwegian Rat Saloon , where off-duty fishermen can be found shooting pool or huddling around outdoor fire pits on the less inclement days. After a couple of pints, it’s a quick stumble across the street to the Grand Aleutian , the island’s only hotel, where you can fall asleep dreaming of fishermen and pirates and all of the far-flung adventures you’ve discovered here at world’s end.

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Far West Nepal

Remote, unspoiled and little-visited.

Stuart Butler

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In terms of development, the far west of Nepal comes at the bottom of almost every list, but for adventure and wonder, the region is near the top of the class.

This is a landscape of deep, dank forests, sparkling sheets of water, lonely ice and snow-covered mountains, narrow canyons and ancient villages.

It’s a land of pilgrims and trade routes with goods still carried to and from Tibet by mule and yak, and Nepalese pilgrims head through the region en route to the Holy of Holies, Mount Kailash in western Tibet.

For a trekker, western Nepal offers many challenges and logistical nightmares, but the payback is a vast swathe of untouched mountainous country waiting to be explored. You need patience and to be on a fully supported camping trek, but if you’re looking for something truly different then the far west of Nepal will probably suit.

Trekking in Nepal

Everything you need to know about nepal trekking.

The Nepal trekking industry is plagued with an oversupply problem – there seem to be more trekking operators than actual trekkers, which puts immense downward pressure on prices. This might seem like a good thing for you, but when you see a 12 day EBC trek for $800 it means corners are being cut somewhere, usually in the pay and quality (and therefore safety and wellbeing) of ground staff. Personally I always recommend booking with a Nepal based and owned operator, but do plenty of homework first... read more

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Nepal Mountaineering (Peak Climbing)

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Limi Valley Trek

Off the beaten path in far western nepal.

Rara Lake Trek

15 day off the beaten path, far west nepal travel companies.

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Alpine Ramble Treks

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Adventures to nepal & bhutan, your adventure awaits, speak to an expert about this trip, why horizon guides.

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Far West China

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Why You Should Visit Far West China

Far West China is like no other place on earth. A trip to China’s remoter reasons such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu and Tibet will without a doubt be a once in a lifetime adventure that will satisfy the part of you that longs to travel the old Silk Road and be swept back in time, to a place that is entirely unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Grand, sweeping landscapes.

Far West China features some of the highest peaks in the world, often set against stunning backdrops of green pastures, or barren deserts. Xinjiang’s Taklamakan desert had a reputation even thousands of years ago as being one of the most forbidding regions on the planet, a dangerous stretch of rolling sand dunes that caravans would go out of their way to avoid.

The high peaks that make up the Kunlun and Pamir mountain ranges, offer stunning sights and amazing opportunities for trekking and mountain climbing (although certainly not for the faint of heart). Rolling green grasslands, sapphire blue skies, and alpine lakes round out the array of landscapes you will see on your journey .

Non Han cultures

While many regions of China are home to ethnic minority cultures, those you will find in the far west are very different from the cultures you will find closer to the Chinese heartland, which tend to be far more influenced by the majority Han Chinese culture.

The Uighurs of Xinjiang are a Turkic people who still mainly speak their own language and practice Islam. When visiting certain parts of Xinjiang it is easy to forget you’re in China at all. Tajiks, Uzbeks, Russians, Tartars, Mongols, and Tibetans all make their homes in Xinjiang province, and each one of these cultures is as different as can be from the Han Chinese majority.

Amazing food

Xinjiangese food is out of this world, an extraordinary blend of Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Turkish fare. Try the humongous lamb kabobs and nan bread for an afternoon snack, but definitely do not miss out on the “Uighur spaghetti,” known as “ban mian,” or mixed noodles, which are long spaghetti like laghman, or la mian, with a mixed chunky sauce with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and sliced mutton poured over the top.

Far western food generally features hearty bread and beef or mutton heavy dishes that are quite filling. Tibetan fare includes momos , dumplings that are filled with yak meat or mutton, and delicious Tibetan butter tea. If you’re sick of typical Chinese stir fried dishes, then a trip out West is as far from traditional Chinese cooking as you can get without actually leaving the country.

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Musical traditions

The peoples of Far West China are musical sorts. The Uighurs have a wide array of musical instruments that are all Turkish in origin, and traditional Uighur music sounds like a blend of flamenco, Arabic, and Bollywood music all rolled into one.

Most Uighur men know how to play at least one instrument, with string instruments, like the rawap and the dutar , as well as percussion, the dap , a framed drum, being the most common. Public spaces in Xinjiang province are more likely than not going to include an impromptu jam session by local musicians at some point during the day.

Fabulous shopping

Stroll the famous bazaars of Urumqi and Kashgar and step back in time, to the days of camel caravans, exotic oils and spices, to the days when dried dates were highly sought after and silk actually traveled along the silk road. What can you buy in Far West China? Hand-woven Xinjiang carpets are a regional specialty, and although rather bulky, they are well worth the cost. The region is also known for finely engraved metal works, which make a rather more portable keepsake.

The region is also famous for Atlas silk, a special kind of silk, usually in jewel tone patterns, that is locally produced and used to adorn clothing as well being used as a type of decoration. There are also many local handicrafts, including hats and caps, traditional clothing, and embroideries. The aforementioned musical instruments also make excellent souvenirs.

Is it safe?

Whenever discussing Far West China, it seems the question of safety always features prominently. While several widely publicized incidents have taken place in both Xinjiang (riots in 2009 heavily damaged the region’s already precarious reputation) and Tibet, one must keep in mind that foreign tourists are almost never the target of local aggression. In fact, foreigners are often seen as sympathetic eyes and ears, and are generally welcomed warmly by the local people. Han Chinese tourists (or tourists who appear Han Chinese) may face a certain degree of hostility particularly in ethnic enclaves where Chinese are scarce. A solo Asian traveler would probably do well to avoid smaller all-Uighur/Tibetan townships and villages, but even then, a frosty reception is a more likely outcome than any true physical harm. Overall, the vast majority of travelers to Far West China return home safely and soundly, bringing home not only local treasures, but great memories and amazing stories.

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Off the Beaten Trail: From Estes Park to Nome and back again

Jun. 25—I recently returned from my annual trip to Nome, Alaska.

Located on the Seward Peninsula of western Alaska, Nome sits about as far west as one can go on the North American mainland.

Nome is a small, rural community that is land locked from the rest of Alaska. Visitors can only arrive by boat or plane. A few hearty souls arrive by dog sled each March as they make the trek from Wasilla to Nome for the Iditarod, the sled dog race that covers about 1,049 miles across Alaska's snow-covered landscape.

I have visited several times over the years to this quiet village of about 3,800 people where I enjoy exploring the road system out of Nome to look for wildlife and experience the land of the midnight sun.

This year, however, I spent some time learning about the history of this region. Many may associate it with the gold rush, but it also has a deep history entrenched in Native Alaskan culture. Three Native cultures call this region, referred to as the Bering Strait Region, home: Inupiat, Central Yup'ik and the St. Lawrence Island Yupik people.

Over the course of a week, I learned about carvings made on walrus ivory, the importance of seals to the cultures, the joy that berry season brings to locals, the elements of Native dances, and the warmth of qiviut, the soft down fur of the mammoth-like creatures that roam the tundra of this region. (In full disclosure, I have been a fan of qiviut for years after buying my first piece, a handmade neck warmer, in Anchorage.)

But something about a particular time in Nome's history struck me as quite interesting when I related it back to Estes Park.

Alaska experienced its first gold rush after the "Three Lucky Swedes" discovered gold in Anvil Creek not far from what is now Nome in September 1898. The three men — Erik Lindblom, John Brynteson and Jafet Lindeberg, who was actually Norwegian — are credited with discovering the first significant gold deposit in Alaska.

By the winter of 1900, word about the abundance of gold in the region quickly spread throughout the world and as many as 30,000 adventurers came to Nome to attempt to extract a piece of the fortune — or benefit from the mining dreamers.

Nome became a bustling city that at the time could only be reached by boat. Hopefuls came in by the thousands on steamer ships. Not all were miners; many came to start businesses to support the miners with necessities of life on the cold, harsh tundra along the Bering Sea.

By the summer of 1900, a five-mile stretch of a two-block wide town had grown along the beachfront of the harsh Bering Sea. One hundred and twenty businesses popped up on the otherwise barren tundra. Bakeries, law firms, photography studios, saloons, churches, restaurants, banks, general stores, hardware stores and hotels were built from completely shipped in materials. The barren tundra provided little in the way of building materials for construction.

A newspaper, the Nome Nugget, started in 1900. It is Alaska's oldest newspaper still in circulation. The weekly paper is produced in Nome, printed in Anchorage and then the print edition is flown 539 miles to Nome each Thursday, about the same distance as Denver to Phoenix.

In 1900, Nome was also the largest settlement in Alaska, according to the Alaska Department of Labor. Front Street, the main road through town then and now, swarmed with people experiencing mining fever.

But the boom wouldn't last long. The rush was considered over by 1909 with most of what could be claimed spoken for by the end of that year. In 1910, the Alaska census recorded only 2,600 residents in Nome.

In the years that followed, Nome experienced horrific storms off the Bering Sea that flooded the town, fires that destroyed many of the original buildings and diseases that would take the lives of many in the area without nearby medical care in this remote region.

Today, Nome has a population of about 3,800. With current gold prices sitting at about $2,330 an ounce, another gold rush has arrived but on a much smaller scale.

Small dredges head out to the sea to siphon through the sandy floor to find what is left of the placer gold, the flakes and pieces that have fallen off of the larger deposits and veins and settled into rivers and streams, eventually flowing into the larger body of water to the west.

Mines can still be seen throughout the region when driving one of only three roads that lead out from Nome into remote villages at the end of each road about 80 miles to the north, east and south.

When locals are asked if they are making money, they usually just hint that they make enough.

Life isn't easy in Nome. All supplies have to be shipped in by plane or boat — everything from diapers to gasoline, which runs about $6.29 per gallon. Many locals find it more cost effective to take flights to Anchorage with large rubber tubs that they fill at big-box stores, like Costco and Sam's Club, to bring back home a few days later.

Like Estes Park, winter arrives with the first frost on the tundra in late August and can stick around until May the following year. Unlike Estes Park, however, is the amount of daylight. By December 21, the shortest day of the year, only three hours and 54 minutes of daylight illuminate the sky in a soft, dusky glow.

It is fascinating to think that at a time when Estes Park only had a handful of families in the valley and even fewer businesses along the few dirt roads that now make up downtown, a remote location like Nome, where one could only arrive by steam ship, had a bustling downtown.

By 1909, Nome had seen its heyday. In the same year, Estes Park was just starting to embrace its own with the opening of The Stanley Hotel and all that F.O. Stanley brought to the town.

It does prove that slow and steady can win the race, whatever the race may be.

Here are two towns with connections to tundra landscape and remote access at the transition of the 19th to 20th century that have each discovered very different paths. One embraced the shiny object of gold while the other saw its future in tourism.

For more information about Nome, visit https://www.visitnomealaska.com/chamber/home .

(c)2024 Estes Park Trail-Gazette, Colo. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Why FAA expects today to be busiest air travel day of 2024 so far

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Federal Aviation Administration expects Thursday to be the busiest air travel day of the year so far, projecting it to be the start of summer travel ahead of the July 4th weekend.

53,677 flights are expected to take off across the country on Thursday. From Friday through July 8, there will be anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 flights each day.

Palm Beach International Airport is also feeling the passenger influx this year. The airport saw a record breaking 8,021,505 passengers from May 2023 to the end of May 2024. That is 13% higher than the pre-pandemic record of 7,045,388 set in February 2020.

According to Tripadvisor, the top five most popular domestic destinations this summer for U.S. travelers this summer are:

• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Orlando, Florida
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• New York City

The top five most popular international places this summer are:

• Cancun, Mexico
• London, England
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Paris, France
• Cabo San Lucus, Mexico

For Matthew Comiter, he's already felt today's airport stress. "We showed up to the airport at 5 a.m. and our flight was canceled. We were able to rebook another flight, but that one is apparently delayed an hour," Comiter said.

Busy travel times like this can be stressful and filled with delays and even some cancellations.

The FAA said weather is the leading cause of air travel delays and cancellations right now, so be sure to check your flight status well ahead of time.

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Flooding forces dozens of Iowa road closures. Here's where to avoid.

Travel continues to be discouraged across parts of northwest Iowa as flood waters block roads.

The Iowa Department of Public Transportation strongly discourages travel in Lyon, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Emmet, Dickinson, Cherokee, Woodbury and Plymouth counties. More than a dozen roads around those counties are closed.

Are interstates closed in Iowa due to flooding?

The Iowa Department of Transportation expects to close Interstate 29 and Interstate 680 near Council Bluffs on Tuesday night. The DOT originally expected to close the interstates around 11 a.m., but have been able to keep them clear of water and open.

I-29 is expected to close from mile marker 55 (25th Street on the north edge of Council Bluffs) to the interchange with I-880 near Loveland.

The state also plans to close a portion of I-680 west of I-29.

Live updates from Tuesday: Levee breached on Little Sioux River, Interstate 29 closing due to flooding

Where are there road closures in Iowa from flooding?

Many city and county roads are closed in flooded communities.

Here are the highways closed by the Iowa DOT due to flooding:

• US 169 at County Road C10 near Saint Joseph.
• IA 14 between County Road B53 and US 18 one mile south of the Emmetsburg area.
• US 18 between the branches of IA 4 one mile west of the Emmetsburg area.
• US 71 between County Road C13 and IA 10 in Sioux Rapids.
• US 18 county roads M50, one mile east of the Spencer area, and M54 near Dickens.
• US 71 between county roads B40 and B17 near Spencer.
• US 18 county roads M44 and B19 one mile west of Spencer.
• IA 9 between County Road M34 and IA 86 around three to four miles east of the Lake Park area.
• IA 10 between county roads M12 and M36 near Peterson.
• IA 10 between county road M12, four miles east of Sutherland, and M36 around three miles west of Peterson.
• IA 3 between US 59 and County Road C38 in Cherokee.
• US 59 between County Road C44 and IA 3 in Cherokee
• IA 141 between IA 31 near Smithland and IA 175 near Mapleton.
• IA 31 between IA 141 in Smithland and County Road D30 in Oto.
• IA 31 in between IA 141 in Oto and County Road D30 near Anthon.
• IA 31 between 141 near Anthon and US 59; County Road C63, three miles south of the Washta area.
• US 20 between IA 140; County Road K64 near Moville and County Road L43 near Correctionville.
• IA 12 between I-29 in Sioux City and IA 3 near Westfield.
• IA 3 between the South Dakota state line and IA 12 one mile west of the Westfield area.
• IA 12 between IA 3 and county road C12 near Akron
• At the South Dakota border two miles west of the Hawarden area.
• US 18 between county roads K18 and K24 five miles west of the Rock Valley area.
• US 75 between county roads A52 and A34 roughly four to nine miles south of the Rock Rapids area.

How can you check current road conditions? 511 Iowa has latest information

You can  check road conditions online through Iowa 511 , with an interactive map that can show you road closures, current radar, crashes and more.

If you don't have internet, you can call 800-288-1047, or 511 for updated road conditions.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at  [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at @ Kkealey17 .

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• Cities near Elektrostal

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• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
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• Balashikha Arena
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I-29 fully reopened from Sioux City to Sioux Falls, travel adivsories still in place

UPDATE (2:45 P.M.)

SOUTH DAKOTA (KTIV) - Interstate 29 is fully reopened both northbound and southbound from Sioux Falls, past the South Dakota/Iowa state line and into Sioux City.

The South Dakota DOT says ome water remains on the outside shoulders but levels are expected to drop throughout the day.

Travel advisories remain in place on all state highway sections in southeast South Dakota that are experiencing flooding. Motorists are reminded to respect all road closures and not drive around barricades. Motorists should not use secondary highways to avoid road closures or highway obstructions. Driving into floodwater areas can lead to potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations.

Go to https://sd511.org to view all current road closures travel advisories, and highway obstructions.

PREVIOUS (NOON)

One lane of southbound Interstate 29 has reopened to traffic from Sioux Falls to the South Dakota/Iowa state line.

Some water remains on the surface and traffic is being guided through the area with flaggers. Drivers will need to reduce speed and use caution as they proceed through the impacted area. Northbound I-29 remains impassable at this time at exit 50 (Centerville) and exit 62 (Canton).

No travel advisories remain in place on all state highway sections in southeast South Dakota that are experiencing flooding.

Driving into floodwater areas can lead to potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations.

Please visit https://sd511.org or download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no travel advisories, and highway obstructions.

Several miles of Interstate 29 in South Dakota between Sioux City and Sioux Falls are closed after flood waters covered the roadway.

According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol, I-29 from mile marker 59 to mile marker 64 is now closed.

While detours are available, state officials say they are limited because of flooding on county roads.

The recommended detour route from Sioux City, Iowa to Sioux Falls, South Dakota is:

• US-75 from Sioux City to Jct State Route 60 at Le Mars, IA
• State Route 60 to Jct US-59 southeast of Worthington, MN
• US-59 to I-90 at Worthington, MN
• I-90 to Jct I-29 at Sioux Falls, SD

The recommended detour route from southern South Dakota to Sioux Falls, SD is:

• SD-48 from I-29 to Jct State Route 12 in Akron, IA
• State Route 12 to Jct State Route 3 in Akron, IA
• State Route 3 to Jct US-75 at Le Mars, IA
• US-75 to Jct State Route 60 at Le Mars, IA
• State Route 60 to Jct US59 southeast of Worthington, MN

No travel is advised between Beresford and Tea.

For the latest road conditions, visit South Dakota’s 511 page.

Copyright 2024 KTIV. All rights reserved.

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Moscow Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Moskovskaya oblast: Moscow .

Moscow Oblast - Overview

Moscow Oblast is a federal subject of Russia located in the Central Federal District. Moscow, the capital city of the country, is the administrative center of Moscow Oblast. At the same time, Moscow is not part of this region, it is a separate federal subject of Russia, a city of federal importance.

The population of Moscow Oblast is about 7,769,000 (2022), the area - 44,379 sq. km.

Moskovskaya oblast flag

Moskovskaya oblast coat of arms.

Moskovskaya oblast map, Russia

Moskovskaya oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

23 June, 2022 / Natural Spring Gremyachiy Klyuch in Moscow Oblast .

23 March, 2022 / Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces .

31 January, 2022 / Vasilyevsky (Shcherbatovsky) Castle in Moscow Oblast .

1 August, 2021 / Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery near Moscow .

4 August, 2020 / Sights of Moscow Oblast - the heart of Russia .

More posts..

History of Moscow Oblast

The territory of the Moscow region was inhabited more than 20 thousand years ago. In the first millennium AD, this land was inhabited mostly by the Finno-Ugric peoples (Meryane and Meshchera). In the 9th-10th centuries, the Slavs began active development of the region. The population was engaged in hunting, fisheries, agriculture, and cattle breeding.

In the middle of the 12th century, the territory of the present Moscow region became part of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, the first towns were founded (Volokolamsk in 1135, Moscow in 1147, Zvenigorod in 1152, Dmitrov in 1154). In the first half of the 13th century, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was conquered by the Mongols.

In the 14th-16th centuries, Moscow principality became the center of unification of Russian lands. The history of the Moscow region is inextricably linked to military events of the Time of Troubles - the siege of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery by the troops of False Dmitry II, the first and second militias.

More historical facts…

In 1708, by decree of Peter the Great, Moskovskaya gubernia (province) was established. It included most of the territory of present Moscow oblast. In 1712, St. Petersburg became the capital of the Russian Empire and the significance of the Moscow region as the country’s economic center began to decrease.

In 1812, the Battle of Borodino took place near Moscow. It was the biggest battle of the Russian-French War of 1812. In the second half of the 19th century, especially after the peasant reform of 1861, the Moscow province experienced economic growth. In 1851, the first railway connected Moscow and St. Petersburg; in 1862 - Nizhny Novgorod.

The population of the Moscow region increased significantly (in 1847 - 1.13 million people, in 1905 - 2.65 million). On the eve of the First World War, Moscow was a city with a population of more than one million people.

In November, 1917, the Soviet power was established in the region. In 1918, the country’s capital was moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow that contributed to economic recovery of the province. In the 1920s-1930s, a lot of churches located near Moscow were closed, a large number of cultural monuments were destroyed. On January 14, 1929, Moscow Oblast was formed.

In 1941-1942, one of the most important battles of the Second World War took place on the territory of the region - the Battle for Moscow. In the postwar years, the growth of economic potential of the region continued; several science cities were founded (Dubna, Troitsk, Pushchino, Chernogolovka).

In the 1990s, the economy of Moscow Oblast experienced a deep crisis. Since the 1990s, due to the motorization of the population and commuting, road traffic situation in the Moscow region significantly deteriorated. Traffic jams have become commonplace.

Pictures of Moscow Oblast

Moscow Oblast scenery

Author: Mikhail Grizly

At the airport in the Moscow region

Author: Evgeny Davydov

Nature of Moscow Oblast

Author: Alexander Khmelkov

Moscow Oblast - Features

Moscow Oblast is located in the central part of the East European Plain, in the basin of the rivers of Volga, Oka, Klyazma, Moskva. The region stretches from north to south for 310 km, from west to east - 340 km. It was named after the city of Moscow, which however is not part of the region. Part of the administrative authorities of the region is located in Krasnogorsk.

On the territory of the Moscow region, there are 77 cities and towns, 19 of them have a population of more than 100 thousand people. The largest cities are Balashikha (518,300), Podolsk (309,600), Mytishchi (262,700), Khimky (256,300), Korolyov (225,300), Lubertsy (209,600), Krasnogorsk (174,900), Elektrostal (149,000), Odintsovo (138,900), Kolomna (136,800), Domodedovo (136,100).

The climate is temperate continental. Summers are warm, winters are moderately cold. The average temperature in January is minus 10 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 19 degrees Celsius.

One of the most important features of the local economy is its proximity to Moscow. Some of the cities (Odintsovo, Krasnogorsk, Mytishchi) have become in fact the “sleeping districts” of Moscow. The region is in second place in terms of industrial production among the regions of Russia (after Moscow).

The leading industries are food processing, engineering, chemical, metallurgy, construction. Moscow oblast has one of the largest in Russia scientific and technological complexes. Handicrafts are well developed (Gzhel ceramics, Zhostov trays, Fedoskino lacquered miniatures, toy-making).

Moscow railway hub is the largest in Russia (11 radial directions, 2,700 km of railways, the density of railways is the highest in Russia). There are two large international airports - Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. Vnukovo airport is used for the flights within the country.

Attractions of Moscow Oblast

Moscow Oblast has more than 6,400 objects of cultural heritage:

• famous estate complexes,
• ancient towns with architectural monuments (Vereya, Volokolamsk, Dmitrov, Zaraysk, Zvenigorod, Istra, Kolomna, Sergiev Posad, Serpukhov),
• churches and monasteries-museums (the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery, Pokrovsky Khotkov monastery, Savvino Storozhevsky monastery, Nikolo Ugresha monastery).

The most famous estate complexes:

• Arkhangelskoye - a large museum with a rich collection of Western European and Russian art of the 17th-19th centuries,
• Abramtsevo - a literary and artistic center,
• Melikhovo - an estate owned by A.P. Chekhov at the end of the 19th century,
• Zakharovo and Bolshiye Vyazyomy included in the History and Literature Museum-Reserve of Alexander Pushkin,
• House-Museum of the composer P.I. Tchaikovsky in Klin,
• Muranovo that belonged to the poet F.I. Tyutchev,
• Shakhmatovo - the estate of the poet Alexander Blok.

The architectural ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest museum of the Moscow region is located in Serpukhov - Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum.

The places of traditional arts and crafts are the basis of the souvenir industry of Russia:

• Fedoskino - lacquer miniature painting,
• Bogorodskoe - traditional manufacture of wooden toys,
• Gzhel - unique tradition of creating ceramics,
• Zhostovo - painted metal crafts,
• Pavlovsky Posad - fabrics with traditional printed pattern.

Some of these settlements have museums dedicated to traditional crafts (for example, a toy museum in Bogorodskoe), as well as centers of learning arts and crafts.

Moskovskaya oblast of Russia photos

Landscapes of moscow oblast.

Nature of the Moscow region

Country road in the Moscow region

Moscow Oblast landscape

Author: Mikhail Kurtsev

Moscow Oblast views

Author: Asedach Alexander

Country life in Moscow Oblast

Author: Andrey Zakharov

Church in Moscow Oblast

Author: Groshev Dmitrii

Churches of Moscow Oblast

Church in the Moscow region

Cathedral in Moscow Oblast

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The Federal Aviation Administration says Thursday will likely be the busiest travel day of the year ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

Officials predict 53,677 flights are taking off across the country.

Weather is the number one cause of delays and cancellations.

Earlier this week, the FAA, National Weather Service and others reminded travelers that amid delays, everyone from the ticketing agents to the pilot are collaborating to make the experience as smooth as possible.

"We work together constantly to make sure that you get to your destination safely and efficiently," said Walter Williams, National Operations Manager at FAA Command Center.

Flight cancellations are trending lower than in previous years, but can still throw a wrench in your plans.

Remember to do the following ahead of your trip:

• Always check your flight status with your airline or the airport you’re flying from.
• Remember that liquids in a carry-on have to be 3.4 ounces or less. Put those in the front of your bag so that they’re easier for agents to access.
• Keep certain things out of your checked bags. For example, items like power banks and cell phone battery cases can only be used in your carry-on, because they can catch fire if damaged. Crew members are trained to put out battery fires if they happen on board, so put them in your carry-ons in advance to save time.
• To keep lines moving along, keep your boarding pass and identification tightly in hand.

For a full travel checklist from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), click here .

Dire lack of abortion access in Victoria's west revealed in Women's Health Grampians report

Imagine having to travel alone for four hours to an unfamiliar city to access life-changing healthcare — women in Victoria's regions are being forced to do just that.

A regional healthcare service has surveyed 110 women and gender-diverse people about their experiences accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. The results paint a dire picture. 

One person surveyed tried to schedule a medical abortion in 11 towns. She said all had eight-week wait lists, which would have put her past the nine-week cut-off, leaving surgical intervention as the only option. 

"I had to take four days off work, pay for travel, three nights' accommodation and $1200 of medical expenses," the respondent said.

Service deserts across Western Victoria

The Grampians region has five of the eight Victorian local government areas that don't have a healthcare service offering early medical abortion, according to Women Health Grampians' Tell Your Story report.

More than two-thirds of respondents said it would be difficult to travel to a larger city for an abortion. 

Almost 40 per cent said their local healthcare provider did not discuss the risks and benefits of more than one contraceptive option.

One survey participant couldn't get an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted within 100 km of her home, while another described a year waitlist in Bendigo.

"The doctor didn’t know where to send me to get an IUD. He sent a referral to another doctor, then rang a week later and said maybe someone at urgent care could do it," another respondent said. 

"It was confusing; I never ended up getting one put in."

About half of respondents said they couldn't easily make an appointment with a local healthcare provider, and many described a two-to-four-week wait. 

Women's Health Grampians sexual health advisor Shannon Hill said long wait times were a particular problem when it came to sexual and reproductive healthcare.

"If that means that your contraceptive pill script is due for renewal, that gap of two weeks can create a bit of problem for you," Ms Hill said. 

With long wait times and scarcity of services, many people are forced to travel to access abortion, causing financial stress amid a cost-of-living crisis.

"Needing to travel, take time of work, have childcare or support people coming with them; those extra costs were significant barriers to the level of care that people could access," Ms Hill said.

The regional impact

Carolyn Mogharbel manages 1800-My-Options, a Women's Health Victoria service that provides free sexual and reproductive health information. 

She said the lack of sexual and reproductive healthcare providers extended across regional Victoria and put them at a disadvantage compared to their metropolitan counterparts. 

"There are intergenerational impacts that really negatively impact somebody's health, finances, education, work prospects for the person who's pregnant, but also for their children and families," Ms Mogharbel said.

She said the issues regional people faced when trying to access reproductive healthcare, such as financial stress and a lack of services, probably also applied to maternity and post-natal care.

"It's not actually economically reasonable to see somebody denied access to contraception and abortion and then expect them to be able to go on and happily, successfully and comfortably raise a child," she said.

A requirement for GPs to be registered to prescribe medical abortion was lifted in 2023, but Ms Mogharbel said it hadn't had a huge effect on the number of doctors prescribing them. 

She said more needed to be done to make sexual and reproductive healthcare a standard service offered by all providers, including specific university training and allowing other health professionals to prescribe medical abortions.

"We know that nurse-led models are really acceptable and appropriate for pregnant people, and so we need to see more nurse practitioners [and midwives] able to provide this service," she said.

Ms Mogharbel said making medical abortion a Medicare-subsidised service would reduce costs for providers and patients.

"It would be great to see sexual and reproductive healthcare normalised within the public health system ... so that it's seen as part of what every hospital and GP practice does," she said.

On Friday, the Victorian government announced plans to fund six new women's sexual and reproductive health hubs across the state, which it said would offer services including contraceptive options, medical abortion and referral surgical abortion. 

In a written statement, Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said, "We know there is a high demand for women's healthcare in the Grampians area — that's why we're opening new women's sexual and reproductive health hubs in Horsham, Stawell and Ararat."

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