Volgograd

Volgogradis a big industrial center, situated on the western bank of the Volga River and has a population over 1 million people. The city was made famous for its resistance and extensive damage during World War II.Volgograd originated in 1589 as a fortress to defend the unstable southern border of Tsarist Russia. It soon became the nucleus of a trading settlement. It was captured twice by Cossack rebels, under Stepan Razin and Yemelyan Pugachev. Tsaritsyn became an important river port and commercial centre in the 19th century.

Under Stalin, the city became a center of heavy industry and transshipment by rail and river, and as a result the city became the site of one of the pivotal battles of the war. In 1945 Stalingrad was awarded the title Hero City for its heroism. The huge memorial complex was created on the top of Mamayev Kurgan to memorize the victory of Russian people.Modern

Volgograd remains an important industrial city. Industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, steel and aluminium production, manufacture of machinery and vehicles, and chemical production. A large Volgograd Hydroelectric Plant stands a short distance to the north of Volgograd.Volgograd is a major railway junction linking Moscow, Saratov, Astrakhan, the Donbas region of Ukraine, the Caucasus and Siberia. The Volga-Don Canal, opened in 1952 links the two great rivers of Southern Russia.

Volgograd is a big cultural center, with its sights, museums, theatres and cinemas. On public holidays the citizens like to come to the Сentral Embankment.

Notes to the Text

was made famous - приобрел известность

extensive damage - сильное повреждение

originate - зд. быть основанным

trading settlement - торговое поселение

suffer heavy bombardment - подвергаться массированной бомбардировке

major railway junction - крупный железнодорожный узел