Evenkia is a land full of paradoxes. Although this is a palce where the Tunguska event happened in 1908, Evenkia is a geographical centre of Russian Federation where the world famous Putorana Plateau is located. Few people can recognize this region on the map. Just several devotees of taiga adventures and experts in Siberian nature can dab their finger and say: “That is Evenkia!”

Today administrative-territorial status of Evenkia is district within Krasnoyarsk krai, Russia. In 2007 together with Taymyr Autonomous Okrug Evenkia became a part of Krasnoyarsk krai. Before that Evenkia was a separate federal subject of Russia with its own government and parliament.

 99% of Evenkia is covered by untouched, primeval impassable taiga with lots of big and small rivers, the best-known of them are Nizhnyaya and Podkamennaya Tunguska, Ilimpeya, Khatanga. Green tract of taiga is generously decorated with lakes like Lake Yessey, Lake Vivi which is a geographical centre of Russia, with Central siberian State Nature Biosphere Reserve with bald mountains which have famous granitic evenk pillars on top. The Putorana Plateau is a “crown” of local nature and a highland of unique animals, unusual flora and waterfalls.

Forest is the foundation of Evenkiaeconomy. Evenkia is a place where the timber is procured. That timber is easy to transport by rivers and having the exit to the main water artery it allows floating that timber for further export. The other “pillar” of Evenkia economy is its mineral resources wealth. Unique character of the tectonic plate has boosted the building of more than 10 ore mining complexes, which procure a wide range of raw materials and minerals from charcoal to diamonds. Also there are several oil and gas exploration expeditions are now working in Evenkia.

“Weak link” in the process of Evenkia development is its remoteness, it enormous size and the lack of proper domestic transportation network. Highroad service between villages is possible only from November to march by ice roads and small aircrafts which are the only all-year means of transport are too expensive to use. That is why the government of the region relies more on the development of information and communication technologies in Evenkia. Today in Evenkia there are satellite dishes in each of small and big villages. This kind of technological breakthrough has made a great contribution to regional education, culture and industry, has taken them to the new level and has integrated Evenkia into world information space.

However this territory attracts not only geologists. Space researchers also seek to get to Evenkia because of three strong reasons. First, Evenkia is a place where the famous “Tunguska event” has happened. “Tunguska event” is a new name for the phenomenon connected with explosion of Tunguska meteorite. This event got the new name after scientists couldn’t prove that is was a meteorite explosion or the crash of extraterrestrial craft. Second, on the north of Evenkia there is one of the biggest meteorite crater called “Popigai” which diameter is more than 100 kilometers. Third, the Putorana Plateau is located here in Evenkia. According to unofficial sources the Putorana Plateau is one of the 10 places in the world where UFO has been seen most commonly. At the Putorana Plateau there is an ufologists station where specialists permanently conduct an observation of evenk skies.

 Tourism fans can also find a lot of interesting things here. Devotees of taiga adventures, extreme rafting, fishing and hunting will definitely be satisfied with local nature. Today local infrastructure is being developed for tourists; the local government focuses on development of transportation network, camping grounds, communication, surgical emergency service equipment etc. Several travel tours has been already elaborated and implemented to visit the place of Tunguska event, the Lake Vivi. In prospect some regular routes will be developed and a new hotel will be built at the Putorana Plateau.

Despite the remoteness of this territory and lack of so called “civilization” facilities here, the residents of Evenkia villages are not willing to leave their native lands. They don’t want to change winter fishing at some remote hunters lodge, smell of coniferous forest after the rain and unique stillness to dusty roads, concrete cells and constant fuss. Locals know the price of life on this amazing and mysterious land of Evenkia.