completed, and from 1942, the regular service started. Kotlas thus became an important transport hub. The headquarters of the Pechora Railway were located in Kotlas until 1959, when the railway was merged into the Northern Railway. Administrative and municipal status Within the framework of administrative divisions, Kotlas serves as the administrative center of Kotlassky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is, together with one work settlement (Vychegodsky) and two rural localities, incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Kotlas—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the town of oblast significance of Kotlas is incorporated as Kotlas Urban Okrug. Within the framework of municipal divisions, Kotlas also serves as the administrative center of Cheryomushskoye Rural Settlement, even though it is not a part of it. Economy Kotlas is a center of timber industry and an important river port and a railroad center (situated on the railroad connecting central Russia with the Komi Republic). The Northern Dvina and the Vychegda Rivers are navigable; there is regular passenger navigation on the Vychegda. Roads connect Kotlas with Veliky Ustyug (and eventually Vologda and Kostroma) to the South, Syktyvkar to the East, and Krasnoborsk (eventually Arkhangelsk) to the North. There is regular passenger bus traffic originating in Kotlas. Kotlas is an important railway hub, where the railway to Kirov branches off south-east from the main railway, connecting Konosha and Vorkuta. Kotlas is served by the Kotlas Airport and is home to the Savatiya air base. Culture and recreation The Church of St. Stephan of Perm was built in 1788, and the adjacent bell-tower was built in 1825. Both are protected at the local level as architectural monuments, as is Narodny Dom, a wooden house built at the beginning of 20th century. Climate Kotlas has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc). Sports Salyut is the local bandy club. Alexandr Tyukavin, a notable player voted as third best player of the Russian National Championship 2011–2012, was born in Kotlas. In 2014 he was awarded a prize from the International Fair Play Committee. Twin towns – sister cities Kotlas is twinned with: Tarnów, Poland Waterville, Maine, United States References Notes Sources External links Official website of Kotlas Kotlas Business Directory kotlas.jsprav.ru Cities and towns in Arkhangelsk Oblast Geography of Gulag