Tinda was built as the "Capital of the BAM." In the early seventies the Soviet government launched a giant project targeting untapped mineral and lumber resources of the Russian Far East. It was to be called the Baikal-Amur Magistrale. The need for this rail was great at that time. Japan was importing millions of cubic meters of raw lumber (spruce, pine, birch, etc.) for further resale. When the easier-to-tap resources near existing cities and settlements were exhausted, the government decided to establish new settlements far from populated areas. People were invited from all over the Soviet Union. It was proclaimed a Komsomolskaya Stroika (Youth Building Project). The government offered enticing benefit packages to young people in return for their commitment to live in tents before first houses and streets would appear. Even after triple salaries were offered to the Soviet people the need for human labor remained great and the Soviet government contracted North Korean workers, who still live along BAM searching for any work that will help them to avoid returning home. In this way, Tinda became the capital of the BAM, and it was built for this role. Geographically it is located in the East of Russia northwest of Vladivostok. Regionally it is in the Amur Region of the Russian Federation. It is also almost on the southern border with Yakutia-Sakha Republic of the Russian Federation. The closest large cities are Blagoveschensk (one hour by plane and 12 hours by train), Khabarovsk (30 hours by train), and Nerungri (8 hours by train). Tinda has a small local airport. It is possible to fly via Blagoveschensk, the capital of the Amur Region. It is connected by railway with most cities in Russia, including Moscow. Tinda is a compact city due to many multi-story buildings. Population is under 50,000--decreasing in recent times because of the economic situation and the government's inability to efficiently use BAM resources. Entertainment, in the form of venues (theaters, museums, etc.) is not as obvious in Tinda. Most people spend their free time at home or visiting friends and family for tea parties or dinner. During the summer Tinda residents go to the taiga (forest) to pick berries and mushrooms and for picnics. Prices in Tinda are higher than average, which is common not only of Tinda, but in general for Siberia and the Russian Far East. Most supplies still coming through western Russia, with transportation costs pushing prices up. As in much of Russia, Tinda residents rely on local agricultural production and cooking at home to bring these costs back in line. The people of Tinda are educated and have great attitude towards life. Most are young, and came to the BAM following adventure and romance. Today's economic situation has of course put great strain on all Russians, especially those in remote areas, but it is this attitude of self-survival and enjoyment of each other's company that keeps cities like Tinda going during these times.          www.sras.org