Aldan

Aldan sits on the highlands at roughly 650 meters elevation and spreads across several valley zones between forested slopes. The built-up area follows the terrain contours with multistory residential blocks, administrative buildings, and industrial facilities along the main traffic routes.

The settlement formed in 1923 under the name Nezametny after prospectors discovered gold in the region, and quickly grew into a supply center for miners. It gained city status in 1939 under its present name and remained the anchor point for the regional resource economy.

Russian and Yakut customs shape daily life, visible in regional dishes, handcraft traditions, and family gatherings. The mining heritage connects generations and shapes local identity through shared stories and experiences.

Access is provided by the A360 highway or the regional airport, which connects the city to larger centers. Sturdy clothing and winter gear are advisable year-round due to extreme temperature swings and subarctic conditions.

Gold extraction takes place both in open pits and through river dredging operations, whose scale becomes visible from satellite perspective. The soil discoloration and digging traces document over a century of mineral prospecting in the surrounding river channels.

Location: Aldansky District

Inception: 1924

Elevation above the sea: 650 m

GPS coordinates: 58.60000,125.38333

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:36