UDC

316.3

Authors

Kibenko Valery Aleksandrovich
Arctic Scientific Research Centre 73 Respubliki St., Salekhard, 629008, Yamalo-Nenetskiy AO, Russian Federation;
e-mail: valera089@mail.ru

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a descriptive sociological study on regional identity of the urban population in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area as a whole and in its political and economic centres (Salekhard, Novy Urengoy and Noyabrsk). The urban population has multiple territorial identities with a hierarchical structure. The upper level is occupied by the national identity. The regional identity proper consists of two elements of spatial awareness. On the macroregional level, the people identify themselves as northerners, while on the mesoregional level, as residents of the Yamal Peninsula. Of interest is the low level of local self-identity, which is located at the bottom, way behind the national and regional identities. In the general hierarchy of identities, ethnicity ranks second, placing the territorial identity one step lower. In addition, the paper singles out key “us” groups. In particular, we studied the formation of a new collective consciousness: inhabitants of the Arctic. Further, we identified key factors unifying the urban residents of the Autonomous Area with other people, as well as differences between the residents of the Area and the rest of the population in Russia. The paper identified and summarized specific mentality features and traits of the urban residents of the Area and the associations they have with the Area. In addition, we looked at how well the people know their state symbols (national emblem and anthem), official regional symbols (flag, emblem and anthem of the Area) and the symbols of the cities of residence.

Keywords

regional identity, urban population, Arctic, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area

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