Tuapse

Tuapse was a large center (native land) for the Shapsugs tribe^[15] along other areas in Circassia, with about 10,000 speakers of the language living in Tuapse currently. The name of the town is itself Adyghe (literally meaning "two waters")^[16] since Tuapse was part of historical Circassia and it became a part of Russia during the rule of Tsar Alexander I in 1801–1825.^{[citation needed]}

The modern settlement dates back to 1838, when the Russian fort of Velyaminovsky was established in the area after this region became a part of Russia in 1829 by Treaty of Adrianople.^[2] During the Crimean War, the Ottomans seized the fort and held it for two years (1857–1859). The village of Velyaminovskoye (Вельяминовское) was established here in 1864; it is the village that later became Tuapse.^[2] Town status was granted to Tuapse in 1896.^[2] During the Russian Empire, the town was the administrative capital of the Tuapsinsky Okrug.

The Soviets developed Tuapse as an oil terminal and depot. An oil pipeline from Grozny and Maykop was in operation by 1928, designed by Vladimir Shukhov. An oil refinery dates from the same period. No later than 1941, Tuapse's status was changed to that of a town of the krai subordination.^[2]

During World War II, the German military attempted to seize the town during the Battle of the Caucasus, which caused major damage to Tuapse. The Germans reached the hills above from north, but were not able to seize the town and its port.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian military attacked the port of Tuapse on 28 February 2023, causing a large fire at the Rosneft oil terminal, reportedly by two uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). It was reported by Naval News that the reach of Ukrainian forces was growing with this long-range attack over 430 km (270 mi) away from Ukrainian-controlled territory.^[17]

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Tuapse serves as the administrative centerofTuapsinsky District, even though it is not a part of it.^[1] As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the Town of Tuapse—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.^[1] As a municipal division, the Town of Tuapse is incorporated within Tuapsinsky Municipal District as Tuapsinskoye Urban Settlement.^[7]

The town is situated on the northeast shore of the Black Sea, south of Gelendzhik and north of Sochi.

Tuapse has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa).^[18] Tuapse has warm to hot summers and cool winters with frequent rainfall year-round.

Tuapse is home to the Tuapse oil terminal.

Tuapse is one of the key transport hubs of the Black Sea coast of the Russian Federation. The city's location determines its key importance to ensure a ground connection with the Spa capital of the country — the city of Sochi, and also makes an important item in the export commodities of the country (oil, fertilizer, coal, etc.).

There is a railway station in Tuapse.

The Russian Children Center Orlyonok (former All-Russian SFSR Young Pioneer camp) is located there. The world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik and 2005 Miss Universe winner, Natalie Glebova, were born in Tuapse.

Tuapse is twinned with:

•   Agen, France^[21]

• Управление по взаимодействию с органами местного самоуправления Администрации Краснодарского края. Справочная информация №34.01-707/13-03 от 23 мая 2013 г. «Реестр административно-территориальных единиц Краснодарского края». (Department of Cooperation with the Organs of the Local Self-Government of the Administration of Krasnodar Krai. Reference Information #34.01-707/13-03 of May 23, 2013 Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Units of Krasnodar Krai. ).
• Законодательное Собрание Краснодарского края. Закон №745-КЗ от 2 июля 2004 г. «Об установлении границ муниципального образования Туапсинский район, наделении его статусом муниципального района, образовании в его составе муниципальных образований — городских и сельских поселений — и установлении их границ», в ред. Закона №1756-КЗ от 3 июня 2009 г «О внесении изменений в некоторые законодательные акты Краснодарского края об установлении границ муниципальных образований». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Кубанские новости", №114, 17 июля 2004 г. (Legislative Assembly of Krasnodar Krai. Law #745-KZ of July 2, 2004 On the Establishment of the Borders of the Municipal Formation of Tuapsinsky District, on Granting It the Status of a Municipal District, on the Establishment of the Municipal Formations—Urban and Rural Settlements—Within Its Structure and on the Establishment of Their Borders, as amended by the Law #1756-KZ of June 3, 2009 On Amending Several Legislative Acts of Krasnodar Krai on the Establishment of the Borders of the Municipal Formations. Effective as of the day of the official publication.).
• Совет муниципального образования город Туапсе. Решение №41.1 от 17 января 2008 г. «Устав муниципального образования город Туапсе». Вступил в силу после официального опубликования, за исключением отдельных положений, для которых предусмотрены иные сроки вступления в силу. (Council of the Municipal Formation of the Town of Tuapse. Decision #41.1 of January 17, 2008 Charter of the Municipal Formation of the Town of Tuapse. Effective as of after the official publication, with the exception of certain clauses for which other dates of taking effect are specified.).

• Official website of Tuapse Archived March 31, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
• Unofficial website of Tuapse (in Russian)