Novgorod Oblast
Before the 19th century, the areas around Novgorod were much better developed than the areas which are currently in the center and the east of the oblast. In 1851, Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway opened. It was the first long-distance railway in Russia. It went around Novgorod as it was built on a straight line between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The railway construction lead to the development of the nearby areas and eventually to creation of new towns such as Malaya Vishera, Okulovka, and Chudovo.