| En Name: | Kandalaksha |
| Ru Name: | Кандалакша |
| Coordinates: | 67.1569°N 32.4117°W |
| Map Label Position: | right |
| Image Coa: | Coat of Arms of Kandalaksha (Murmansk oblast) (2008).png |
| Federal Subject: | Murmansk Oblast |
| Adm District Jur: | Kandalakshsky District |
| Inhabloc Cat: | Town |
| Mun District Jur: | Kandalakshsky Municipal District |
| Urban Settlement Jur: | Kandalaksha Urban Settlement |
| Pop 2010Census: | 35654 |
| Established Date: | 11th century |
| Current Cat Date: | April 20, 1938 |
| Postal Codes: | 184041 |
| Postal Codes Ref: | [1] |
| Dialing Codes: | 81533 |
Kandalaksha (Russian: Кандала́кша; Finnish: Kantalahti; Swedish: Kandalax or formerly Candalax; Karelian: Kannanlakši; Northern Sami: Gáddeluokta; Skolt Sami: Käddluhtt) is a town in Kandalakshsky District of Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located at the head of Kandalaksha Gulf on the White Sea, north of the Arctic Circle. Population: 40,564 (2002 Census);
The settlement was founded the 11th century but may have existed as a temporary stop for fishermen from the 9th century. In the 13th century, it became a part of the Novgorod Republic along with the southern part of the Kola Peninsula, and in 1478 was annexed by the Grand Duchy of Moscow. In 1915, the construction of a seaport started, and in 1918 a railroad connecting Moscow to Murmansk running through Kandalaksha was opened. On August 29, 1927, Kandalaksha was made the administrative center of the newly established Kandalakshsky District,[2] and on June 1, 1932, it was granted work settlement status.[3] Status of a town of district significance was granted to it on April 20, 1938. On February 9, 1940, Kandalaksha was administratively separated from the district and granted the status of a town of oblast significance.
In July 1941, during World War II, the town was the primary target of an unsuccessful German-Finnish offensive which attempted to cut the strategic Kirov Railway.
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR of March 19, 1959, the Councils of Deputies of Kandalaksha and of Kandalakshsky District were merged into one Kandalaksha Town Council of Deputies.[4] While the district was nominally retained as a separate administrative division, all its subdivisions were administratively subordinated to the town's Council of Deputies.
Since 1995, Vitino oil port operates near Beloye More a few kilometers south of Kandalaksha.
Kandalaksha Mayor Nina Varlamova was murdered in an attack in December 2008.[5]
See main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Russia.
Kandalaksha is twinned with:
The town is located at the head of Kandalaksha Gulf on the White Sea, north of the Arctic Circle.
Kandalaksha has a subarctic climate (Dfc) with mild, rainy summers, and cold, snowy winters.