Volgograd

Summary
Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, is a city in Russia, and the administrative city of the Volgograd Oblast. The city is located on the western bank of the Volga River. The city was also the location of the Battle of Stalingrad, one of the largest and bloodiest battles of WW2.

Details
Volgograd is part of the Russian Federation, along the Volga River.

It has a population of 1,021,215 as of the 2010 census.

Russian is the most common language spoken in the city, however some residents do speak English.

Volgograd is an important industrial city in Russia. Its industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, and steel and aluminum production.

The city has a land area of 859 km2.

Volgograd has multiple sports teams, including: Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd (Basketball), Rotor Volgograd (Football), and Spartak Volgograd (Water polo).

History
Volgograd was founded in 1589, under the name Tsaritsyn. between 1607 and 1925, the city has seen multiple rebellions and skirmishes, including a Cossack uprising in 1670 and a raid in 1717.

In 1925, the city was renamed Stalingrad in honor of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, to commemorate his victories against the White Army between 1918 and 1920. During Stalin's rule, the city became an industrial center for the USSR. In 1942, during the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Stalingrad became the site of the bloodiest battle in history, with around 1.5 million casualties. In January 1943, the Soviets had completely retaken the city, and in 1945 it was awarded the title "Hero City" for its resistance against the German Army during WW2.

In 1961, Nikita Khrushchev changed the city's name to Volgograd, as part of the de-stalinization program that was taking place.

On January 30, 2013, The City Council passed a measure to use the title "Hero City Stalingrad" on nine dates corresponding to major events during WW2.

Also, 50,000 people signed a position to the current Russian President, Vladimir Putin, asking that the city be permanently named Stalingrad. The official reply was that such an action would require a referendum.

Images and Other Media
In order, top to bottom: 'Motherland Calls' by Yevgeny Vuchetich and Nikolai Nikitin, Volgograd International Airport, an arial view of the city, a timelapse of the city, and Mozart's Concerto 25, played by the Volgograd Symphony Orchestra.



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