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Brief information on municipal formation
As of January 1, 2007 population of Pryazha metropolitan region made 17,3 thousand people. Administrative centre of the region is Pryazha urban-type settlement. The district is a unique place of compact residing of representatives of two aboriginal northern peoples: Karelians (representing Livvik and Lyudik dialects of Karelian language) and Finns.
Number of settlements and villages is 82. By results of the All-Russia population census in 2002 national composition is presented as follows: 46.13% of Russians, 36.85% of Karelians, 6.26% of Finns, 5.14% of Byelorussians, 2.49% of Ukrainians, 0.53% of Poles, 0.46% of Vepsians, 0.41% of Tatars, 0.35% of Gipsy.
Timber industry and agriculture form the basis of its economy. Leading enterprises are Shuyales Joint-Stock Company (timber and saw-timber), Pryazhinskoye Joint-Stock Company, Essoila Joint-Stock Company, Vedlozersky breading farm State Unitary Enterprise of the RK produce in the agrarian sector, Säpsä, Ltd., Kuzema production-agricultural cooperative fishing collective farm and Gonganalitskoye fishery co-op, Ltd., (fish hatchery).
In the region thereremained 362 monuments of historical and cultural heritage (basically wooden architecture). Ancient crafts are widespread everywhere in settlements: birch-bark weaving, handweaving. Annual holiday of national humour in the village of Kindasovo collects thousands of visitors, works of folk craftsmen are widely presented there, too. Traditions of national artsand crafts continue and develop in 90 children's and adult associations.
The region supports cooperation with partners in Finland and Sweden. The Project of countryside development, including tourism, has gained considerable popularity; it is carried out in the region together with the Society of development of rural economy and agriculture of the Swedish province of Västerbotten at financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The project has been launched in November of 1997, an by now is being implemented for up 9 years to the present day.
The region became more attractive for tourists. Tourist business is conducted by 47 various companies. For summer season they can place up to 1600 vacationists. Owners of 48 country houses receive families numbering up to 3-5 people.
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