Apatity (Апати́ты [əpʌˈtʲitɨ]; literally means apatites) is a town in Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located between Lake Imandra and Khibiny Massif some 23 km west of Kirovsk. Population: 63,300 (2005 est.); 64,405 (2002 Census); 40,700 (1968).

The settlement of Apatity was founded in 1935 and granted town status in 1966. It was named after one of its most abundant natural resources in the area, apatite, the raw mineral used in the production of phosphorus mineral fertilizers.

It hosts the air base Kirovsk Apatity.

Economy

The main employer of Apatity is the joint stock company "Apatit", the largest mining and concentrating enterprise in Europe and Russia. Other employers include the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science and various state and private enterprises.

Museums

• Museum of Investigation and Development History of the European North of Russia (International Cultural Centre of KSC RAS);
• Museum of regional studies and history (municipal);
• Geological museum (KSC RAS);
• Mineralogical museum (The Institute of Geology KSC RAS)

Demographic evolution

Source: mojgorod.ru

• 1939: 4.000
• 1959: 15.200
• 1970: 45.600
• 1989: 88.000
• 2002: 64.405
• 2006: 62.900

Sister city

• Boden Municipality, Sweden

External links

• Apatity: News,Info,Photo
• Interactive map of Apatity
• About Apatity