Pikalyovo

Pikalyovo (Пикалёво) is a town in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, located some south-east of St. Petersburg and east of Boksitogorsk. Population: 22,400 (2006 est.);

Pikalyovo was founded in 1932 as a settlement near a cement factory. It was named after a railroad station Pikalyovo, opened in 1906. Pikalyovo was granted town status in 1954.

History

The town is situated on the site of an ancient settlement known since 1620.

In 1906, Pikalyovo railway station, named after peasant Pikalyov who founded a nearby khutor, was opened on the St. Petersburg—Vologda railway

In 1932, the modern settlement was founded to serve a cement factory. The settlement was named Pikalyovo after the railway station. In 1947, it was granted status of urban-type settlement and in 1954—town status.

Population

Number of citizens of Pikalyovo
Year	1959	1967	1970	1979	1989	1992	1996	1997	1998	2000	2001	2003	2005	2006	2007
Population	16,900	20,000	21,800	23,500	24,500	25,100	25,300	25,400	25,500	25,700	25,600	23,300	22,700	22,400	22,200

Economy

The town's industry is comprised of a RusAl aluminum plant, producing sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate, a cement factory, and a timber-processing plant.

Transport

A-114 Issad–Vologda autoroute is located south of Pikalyovo. Autoroutes H-9 (Pikalyovo–Zarechye) and H-7 (Pikalyovo–Kolbeki) pass directly through the town.

Pikalyovo is located on the St. Petersburg–Vologda railroad. There are three platforms in the town: Pikalyovo-1, Pikalyovo-2, and Obrinsky.

Both intra- and intercity bus services are available in Pikalyovo.

Education

Pikalyovo's educational facilities include:

a teachers' training college;
five secondary schools;
a children art school;
an IT center.

Sports

The town's Delfin (dolphin) swimming pool was the location of seven USSR and three Russian championships, where fifty-one world and European records were set.

The town's soccer team, "Metallurg", plays in the Leningrad Oblast championships.

Also available are a sport complex, an illuminated ski line, a sports school for children, ice-hockey areas, "Metallurg" stadium, and heavy athletics hall.