Dimitrovgrad, Russia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coat of Arms of Dimitrovgrad

Dimitrovgrad (Russian: Димитровгра́д) is a city in Ulyanovsk Oblast, Russia, situated at 54°14′N, 49°35′E. Population: 130,871 (2002 Census). The city stands on the river Melekes.

[edit] History

The city was founded in the beginning of the 18th century for workers of the local distillery, which was closed in 1848.

Until 1919, the city was considered a village (as of 1897, its population was 8,500). Until 1972, the city's name was Melekes, after the river's name (Irani: Mal uguz, meaning "slow river").

Since 1972, the city's name is Dimitrovgrad, after the Bulgarian communist Georgi Dimitrov.

[edit] Industry

Dimitrovgrad's industry includes a spare parts factory (carburettors, petrol pumps), carpets factory, chemical equipment factory. The city's main enterprise is the Federal Nuclear Research Center.