VELIKY USTYUG

also spelled Veliky Ustiug city, Vologda oblast (province), northwestern Russia, a port on the Sukhona River. One of the oldest settlements of European Russia, mentioned in documents from 1218, it was an important trading centre on the Moscow-Arkhangelsk road in the 16th century and later was renowned for painting and silverworking. Still noted for silver handicrafts, it now has numerous industries, especially brush making. Fine examples of 17th-century architecture remain. Pop. (1991 est.) 36,200.