Neftekamsk (Russian: Нефтека́мск; Bashkir: Нефтекама, romanized: Neftekama) is a city in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, located in the northwest of the republic on the Kama River, 220 kilometers (140 mi) from the republic's capital Ufa. It is a large industrial and cultural center of the republic. Population: 121,733 (2010 Russian census); 122,290 (2002 Census); 106,801 (1989 Soviet census).

Etymology

The city is named after the Kama River and petroleum (нефть, neft in Russian).

Geography

The city's territory borders Krasnokamsky and Yanaulsky Districts. A road network connects the town to Ufa, Birsk, Yanaul, Agidel, Oktyabrsky, Izhevsk, Perm, and Kazan. The nearest railway station for long-distance trains is located in Amzya, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) away. There is a local train connecting Neftekamsk with Yanaul via Amzya. Neftekamsk Airport serves the city.

History

It was founded in 1957 after the discovery of an oil field in Krasnokamsky District. Town status was granted to it in 1963.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is, together with seven rural localities, incorporated as the city of republic significance of Neftekamsk—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the city of republic significance of Neftekamsk is incorporated as Neftekamsk Urban Okrug.

Politics

In March 2019, Ratmir Mavliyev became the head of the city district administration. However, in March 2021, Eldar Sergeyevich Validov, who was initially his deputy, became the head of the city. Elections of deputies to the Council of the urban district of the city of Neftekamsk of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the fifth convocation in 2020 showed the following distribution of votes:

Party	Percentage of votes
Patriots of Russia	1.5%
A Just Russia	6.7%
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia	6.9%
Communist Party of the Russian Federation	15.1%
Civic Platform	3.2%
United Russia	59.2%
Yabloko	4.5%

Independent observers in Neftekamsk recorded violations during the elections to the City Duma, which were held early from 2am to 12pm on 13 September 2020.

Demographics

The city ranks fourth in population in the republic after Ufa, Sterlitamak, and Salavat.

Economy

The principal place of business of the city is the Neftekamsk Automotive Plant, which is one of the major producers of passenger buses in Russia.