Volgograd (), in the past called Tsaritsyne () (1598-1925) then Stalingrad () (1925-1961) principal Ville administrative center of is the the oblast of Volgograd. The city is located on western bank of the river the Volga in the south of the Russia and is populated of a million inhabitants.

Level of pluviometry 330 mm/an.

Average temperatures: January -9,6 °C (up to -35 °C), July +24,2 °C (up to +40 °C).

Armorial bearings

Flag

The flag of the town of Volgograd represents a Rectangle out of fabric of color Rouge, the armorial bearings of the city are placed in its center. The red color is the initial color of a majority of Russian flags, it symbolizes the Courage and the blood poured in the name of the fatherland, the force, the energy and the to be able.

Blazons

The Armoiries of the city represent a gilded shield divided in two parts by the ribbon of the medal given to the city in memory of defense of Stalingrad during the second world war. The upper part symbolizes a at the very least impregnable Forteresse located on the the Volga. She is represented by the Créneau X coloured in red. The armorial bearings are supplemented by the symbol of gilded star offered to the city. The lower part contains a Engrenage, symbol of the strong industrialization of the city as well as ears of corn, symbol of abundance and richness of the grounds. The color Bleu E which is useful basic symbolizes the the Volga.

History

16th century at the 19th century

Volgograd was founded in 1589 as a Forteresse of Tsaritsyn to the confluences of the Tsaritsa river and the river the Volga. The fortress which draws its name from the local word Sary Su (water/Jaune river in language Tatar), was built to defend the unstable borders of Russia Tsar ist before becoming the core of an important center of exchanges.

It was captured twice by the rebels Cosaques, under Stenka Razin during the rebellion of 1670, then under Yemelyan Pugachev in 1774.

Tsaritsyn became important a river port as well as a high place of trade at the 19th century.

At the 20th century

The city was the theater of heavy combat during the Russian Civil war. The forces Bolsheviks of Kliment Vorochilov and Semyon Budyonny, under the command of Joseph Stalin defended the city in 1918. They were swept by the forces of the Russian white carried out by Anton Ivanovitch Dénikine which captured the city in 1919.

After its new capture in 1925, the city was famous Stalingrad (literally: the town of Stalin ). This name change goes in the direction of the renaming of the cities to the names of the leaders Bolchevik S during the Soviet period. Stalin reinforced the Industrialization city, thus transfer the day a advanced industrial center as well as a center of freight railway and river. During the second world war (Patriotic Great War), the town of Stalingrad became the center of the battles which bears its name today. She is regarded as most expensive in human life of the history of Humanity, as well as the point hinge of the war against the forces of the Wehrmacht.

The battle began on August 21st 1942 and ended on February 2nd 1943. In term of human lives, approximately: 850000 soldiers of the forces of the Axis like: 750000 Soviet S found death, without counting the always unknown number to killed civilians, nor that even higher of the casualties. The city was reduced to a field of ruins and rubble during the war, but its rebuilding started as soon as the Germans left the city.

For heroism during the battle, Stalingrad accepted the title of Heroic City (in Russian: Ru город-герой, gorod-geroy ) in 1945, and the king George VI of the United Kingdom rewarded for their bravery the citizens for Stalingrad by a sword crimped for diamonds. A Mémorial with the memory of the battle, dominated by an imposing allegorical statue of the Russia Mother was built on the Mamyev Kurgan, one of the hills where the war was most intense. A great number of cities throughout the world (and more especially that which endured the pangs of the war) established bonds of Jumelage and of friendship with the city (see the list below).

In 1961, and with the profit of the program of Destalinization launched by Nikita Khrouchtchev, the city took the name of Volgograd ( City of the Volga ). This decision remains prone to polemic from the glorious past of the city and there was a serious proposal to return to the old name during the short mandate of Konstantin Tchernenko in 1985. There exists always a strong local passion for a return in the name of Stalingrad, and of the proposals make their appearance of time to other, always refused up to now by the Russian government.

Geography

Volgograd is the most extended Russian city, since it extends on approximately 80 km along the Volga. The major part of the city is located on the Right Bank (Western bank) of the Volga. One can note the presence of some island S (Sarpinsky, Golodny, Denejny) located between the two Rive S which can be comparable at the city. They are not urbanized but shelter some Datcha. Since 2006, two Pont S make it possible to cross the the Volga. In the southern part of the city, is located the Volga-Donskoï channel, which connects the the Volga and the Don) since 1952.

Administrative divisions

The city is divided into 8 districts, of north in the south:

1. Traktorozavodsky
2. Krasnooktiabrsky
3. Dzerjinsky
4. Centralny
5. Vorochilovsky
6. Sovetsky
7. Kirovsky
8. Krasnoarmeïsky

Culture

Cultural life

• National theater of Cossacks, it was built in December 1992, the only theater whose parts are based on the historical events and the folklore of the cossacks.
• municipal Theater of the Musical comedy: founded in 1932 under the name of Musical comedy of Stalingrad , it is located close to the quays. The theater will know its hour of glory in the years 1960-70, time during which the parts were composed by the Soviet authors for the executants of the theater. In 1995 was reformed in municipal theater .
• New experimental theater. Opened in 1995 in the place of the dramatic theater of Mr. Gorky. It is the first theater which engages its artists only by the means of work contracts. Its new forms of the dramatic art are often prone to criticisms.
• Theater of the puppets. Inaugurated on November 1st 1936, organized initially by the workers of the sawmill. April 19th 1937, it is recognized like professional and start to work under the aegis of the Theater of the young spectators of Stalingrad. Since September 1956 and still today, it opens its doors with the public. Located at the crossing of the avenue of Lénine and the alley of the Heroes. The wedding cakes in this theater are based on the Russian and foreign tales.
• Theater of the young spectators of Volgograd: opened on March 22nd, 1979. The theater of Stalingrad of the time of pre-war period was tiny room in ruins at the time of the battle of Stalingrad and forever rebuilt. The construction of the theater has a long story, building of sport at the beginning, it was transformed into Arts center and towards the end of work the building was again qualified in theater. Following various faults of architecture during the construction of the subway in the years 1980, the frontage of the building started to collapse. The theater is opened with the public in spite of the repair work which today still lasts…

Cultural heritage

Monuments of the second world war

• Mamayev Kurgan is, according to the national maxim: the highest point of Russia . The Bataille of Stalingrad was one of the combat keenest of the second world war. High (and thus higher than the Statue of Freedom), it 52 meters is made up of 5500 tons of concrete and 2400 tons metal. The sword measures 29 m and weighs 14 tons, while the suspended part of the scarf weighs 250 tons. Nowadays, the Mamaïev hill represents a historic building devoted to the heroes of the battle, the central monument of this unit is the sculpture of Motherland who appeals .

• the panoramic museum, devoted to the defeat of the troops of the Wehrmacht in Stalingrad inaugurated in 1982 and located on the central quay of the city.

• the Vestige S of the old mill, the only building which survived the war.

• the house of Pavlov, a building in brick which was one of the strategic points during the battle.

• the alley of the Heroes. Mall which joins together the quay of the the Volga and places it combatants. It ends in a Obélisque, inaugurated the September 8th 1985; this monument is devoted to the heroes of the Soviet Union medal-holders originating in the area of Volgograd, and more largely to the heroes of the battle of Stalingrad. On this obelisk one can read the 127 names of hero among whom three people were named twice hero of the Soviet Union , and 28 received the medal of glory .

Historic buildings

Few monuments of Volgograd do not have a report/ratio at the second world war, following the bombardments of the August 22nd and 23rd 1942 the troops of the Wehrmacht destroyed 90% of the northern part of the city until the bed of the Tsaritsa river. Only one building -   a moulin  - resisted.

Place des fallen combatants

Until the February 8th 1920, it bore the name of the place of Alexandre . It is one of the rare monuments which does not have a relationship with the war. This name was given to him after the civil war and was devoted to the combatants fallen at the time of the combat which are held in the city.

Above the common grave the Obélisque was built which is devoted to them. The February 4th 1943, one added the bodies of a little more than one hundred of combatants of the Second world war. Today, the obelisk of 26 meters, fact of Granit red and black rises above this pit. The 1963, the fire eternal is lit in the name of the Courage and of the Héroïsme of all the combatants of the city.

Other buildings of the city

Among the monuments of architecture, one can distinguish the following:

• the building of the museum of the area of Volgograd (formerly the building of the assembly of noble)
• the tower of control of firemen of Tsaritsine
• the building of the hotel " Volgograd "

The Hotel " Volgograd " , founded in 1890 by the merchant Vassily Voronin, one of the first luxurious hotel of the city. In the the Thirties, a third stage was added, then a fourth in 1955, while preserving the architectural style as of the time Tsar ist.

Places of sports and stages

Central stage

The central Stade is which occurred Lénine, southernmost compared to the Mamaiev hill. It can accommodate: 38000 people since installations of the year 2000. The local football club, SC Rotor Volgograd there day its matches.

Sport hall

The sport hall is also Avenue Lénine, but this time more at north of the Mamaiev hill. It accommodates several local competitions and clubs among which one can distinguish the female team from Handball Acqua several times named national champion. The rooms of the sport hall are also used for various concerts and exposures.

Other curiosities

• the Planetarium of Volgograd, inaugurated the September 19th 1954, the statue Mir ( Russian peace in ) crown the roof of the building.
• the Railroad for the young people (for the pupils of the school of the Highways Departments) built in 1948 along the quay, was redirected towards the old bed of the Tsaritsa river.

Urban infrastructures

Railway station

Built at the origin in Wood, it was rebuilt in brick because of its destruction during the war. The building of two stages comprises a dominated tower of a needle. The building is made of a mixture of brick and Béton, the frontage being made of ornamented granite. The interior walls are mainly in Marbre. The ceiling is decorated of Stuc S as well as several paintings with the image of the battles which proceeded downtown. This building typically of Stalinist architecture was recognized like historic building in 1997.

River port

It is one of the largest buildings of its category in Europe. In the years 80 it was one of the ports which ensured the most important traffic of the Volga, that it is travellers or goods. The length of this building is of 296 meters what equalizes the length of the Red Place in Moscow. The Height of the station, in its culminating point, and of 47 meters. The waiting room can contain to 700 people. To 6 boats can install at the same time. The building of the station shelters also a room of Concert and Spectacle S.

Airport

The international Airport of Volgograd (Code IATA: VOG) was built in the Goumrak suburbs. It was built in the place of an old German aerodrome. It is able to receive the planes and helicopter of any type.

Education

There exists more than one score of schools, among those, we will more particularly distinguish the university establishments following: the national university of Volgograd, the national university of technical education (Old polytechnic university of Volgograd), the academy of Medicine, the academy of the services of State as well as academy of industry.

Economy

Nowadays, Volgograd is always an important industrial town, its industrial center, which include the naval construction, the oil refineries, the factories of metallurgical production and aluminum, manufactures of construction of machines and vehicles as well as petrochemical centers . Moreover, one important hydroelectric station is located near to the districts north of the city.

Industries

hydroelectric Energy

7400 people work in this field, which accounts for 7,3% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 8,3% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 105,77 million euros.

Fossil energy

: 5100 people work in the field of fossil energy, which accounts for 5% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 19% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 230 million euros.

The principal company of this field names Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka.

Iron and steel industry

: 11700 people work in the iron and steel industry, which accounts for 11,8% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 10,1% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 130 million euros.

Metallurgy

: 3700 people work in the field of the metallurgy, which accounts for 3,7% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 9,4% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 118,3 million euros.

The principal company of this field names Volgogradsky aluminievy zavod (i.e., “the aluminum factory of Volgograd”)

Chemical industry

: 18300 people work in chemical industry, which accounts for 18% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 15,7% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 187,6 million euros.

Mechanical engineering

: 33500 people work in this field, which accounts for 33% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 15,1% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 193,4 million euros.

Industry of war

The production of tractors and tanks is represented by two principal factories, the factory " Barrikadi" (which manufactures artillery material and missiles) and it Machine shipyards (which manufactures various barge, boats and tanker) located close to the Volga. In times of peace, they produce also machines of the daily life like tractors, trucks etc…

Industry of wood

: 1800 people work in the industry of wood, which accounts for 1,8% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 1% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 12,5 million euros.

Mechanical engineering

: 4800 people work in the mechanical engineering, which accounts for 4% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 3,7% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 46 million euros.

Manufacture

: 1500 people work in this field, which accounts for 1,5% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 0,2% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 26,6 million euros.

Agroalimentary

(One deducts all here that touches with food, drinks and the tobacco.)

: 10000 people work in the agroalimentary field, which accounts for 9,5% of the total of the workers of industrial environment. This field accounts for 15,2% of the industrial activity generated by the city. The production estimated into 2003 is assembled to a total of 18,5 million euros.

Transport

The public transport of the city consist of a network of drunk, Trolleybus and of Tramway. Since 1985, there exists a network of Métro, its length extends on 13,5 km along the city; it follows the main roads (named Avenue of Lénine ) which cross the city and join together the central district with the two districts which are Traktorozavodsky and Krasno Oktjabrsky (Red October). In the central part of the city, the Rail S of Railroads are underground. There exist projects in order to prolong the rails towards more distant districts.

A suburban train joins together all the districts of the city. One will note also the presence of the Autoroute E40 as of the highway Kaspy (which connects the Caspian Sea; M6 with the Russian format).

Twinning S

Volgograd counts 17 twinned cities.

• Pact of friendship since 1943, official twinning in 1955.
• Twinning D-officialized on October 30th, 1999.
• Pact of friendship since 1953, official twinning in 1959.
• twinning D-officialized on November 3rd, 1999.

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