Siberian cities in the first half of the 19th century (based on travel notes by Matthias Alexander Castr'en)

The paper deals with the issue of cities that has long been the focus of attention of different scientists. The contribution of M.A. Castrén to the research on this issue is described. During his trip to Siberia, a Finnish traveler has visited several cities that are prosperous today. He has recreated the landscape of cities in his travel diary at the end of the first half of the 19th century. Their description is a combination of vivid characteristics of cities and the author’s opinion that gives a general idea about each of them. The analysis of the urban theme within the historical approach makes it possible to generalize about the cultural progress of Siberia in the above-mentioned period.