Megion

Megion (Мегион) is a town in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra, Russia, located at the altitude of 45 m above sea level, on the right bank of the Ob River, 380 km east of Khanty-Mansiysk and 760 km northeast of Tyumen. The area of the town is 50.51 km2 and the nearest airport is in Nizhnevartovsk (30 km away). Population: 46,566 (2002 Census);

Foundation and further town development became possible with the discovery of petroleum on this site. It predetermined the construction of Megion and Nizhnevartovsk which both are now regarded as a major centre of oil producing.

History
It was first mentioned in 1810. In 1961, the first oil in Western Siberia was struck there. On September 29, 1964, Megion was granted urban-type settlement status. On July 23, 1980, it was elevated in status to that of a town. Now the town is a center of the oil and natural gas industries.

Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is, together with one urban-type settlement, incorporated as the town of okrug significance of Megion—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the town of okrug significance of Megion is incorporated as Megion Urban Okrug.