Saratov

For other uses of "Saratov", see Saratov (disambiguation).
Saratov (English)
Саратов (Russian)
-  City[1]  -

Volga District in Saratov

Location of Saratov Oblast in Russia
Saratov
Location of Saratov in Saratov Oblast
Coordinates: 51°32′N 46°01′E / 51.533°N 46.017°ECoordinates: 51°32′N 46°01′E / 51.533°N 46.017°E
Coat of arms
Flag
Administrative status (as of 2011)
Country Russia
Federal subject Saratov Oblast[1]
Administratively subordinated to Saratov City Under Oblast Jurisdiction
Administrative center of Saratov Oblast,[1] Saratovsky District,[2] Saratov City Under Oblast Jurisdiction
Municipal status (as of December 2004)
Urban okrug Saratov Urban Okrug[3]
Administrative center of Saratov Urban Okrug,[3] Saratovsky Municipal District[4]
Head of Administration[5] Alexey Prokopenko[5]
Representative body City Duma
Statistics
Area 394 km2 (152 sq mi)
Population (2010 Census) 837,900 inhabitants[6]
- Rank in 2010 16th
Population (2013 est.) 839,755 inhabitants[7]
Density 2,127/km2 (5,510/sq mi)[8]
Time zone MSK (UTC+03:00)[9]
Founded 1590
City status since 1590
Postal code(s)[10] 410000
Dialing code(s) +7 8452
Official website
Saratov on WikiCommons

Saratov (Russian: Саратов; IPA: [sɐˈratəf]) is a city and the administrative center of Saratov Oblast, Russia, and a major port on the Volga River upstream (north) of Volgograd. Population: 837,900 (2010 Census);[6] 873,055 (2002 Census);[11] 904,643 (1989 Census).[12]

History

Uvek, a city of the Golden Horde, was situated near the site of the modern city of Saratov from the mid-13th century until its destruction by Tamerlane in 1395. Saratov was founded in its present location in 1590 as a czarist stronghold.

It traces its history to the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, who constructed several settlements along the Volga River in order to secure the southeastern boundary of his state. During the summer of 1586, the fortress of Samara was founded, followed by Tsaritsyn in 1589 and finally Saratov, located midway between Samara and Tsaritsyn, in 1590.

Saratov was built at the insistence of count Grigory Zasekin. All three forts were located in a region where the Volga and the Don flow nearest one another, which allowed the Duchy of Moscovy to secure both rivers and to ensure control over the recently annexed khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan in the years following the Livonian War.

The future town's buildings were first constructed in the upper reaches of the Volga, a full year prior to the in situ foundation of Saratov. In the spring of 1590, workers disassembled the constructions, marked each log, and delivered the "town" to its destination via the river. This method allowed the buildings to be rapidly erected in just a few weeks.

The name Saratov may derive from the Turkic words Saryk Atov, which mean "hawks' island". Another version of the name origin is Sary Tau (Сары Тау), meaning "yellow mountain" in the Tatar language.

By the 1800s, Saratov had grown to be an important shipping port on the Volga. The Ryazan-Ural Railroad reached Saratov in 1870.[13] In 1896 (26 years later), the line crossed the Volga and continued its eastward expansion. A unique train-ferry, owned by the Ryazan-Ural railroad, provided the connection across the river between the two parts of the railroad for 39 years, before the construction of a railway bridge in 1935.

During January 1915, with the First World War dominating the national agenda, Saratov was the destination for deportation convoys of ethnic Germans, Jews, Hungarians, Austrians and Slavs whose presence closer to the western front was perceived as a potential security risk to the state.[14]

During World War II, Saratov was a station on the North-South Volzhskaya Rokada, a specially designated military railroad providing troops, ammunition and supplies to Stalingrad.[15]

Until the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, Saratov was designated a "closed city", that is, strictly off limits to all foreigners due to its military importance. This was due to the presence of a vital military aircraft manufacturing facility in the city.

German community

Saratov is an important city in the history of the Volga Germans. Until 1941, the town of Pokrovsk, today Engels, located just across the Volga from Saratov, served as the capital of the Volga German Republic. The ethnic German population of the region numbered 800,000 in the early 20th century, with some people whose families had been there for generations. The Russian Tsars had invited German immigration in the 18th and 19th centuries to encourage agricultural development in the area.

Saratov Bridge across the Volga, formerly the longest in the Soviet Union

The Volga German community came to include industrialists, scientists, musicians and architects, including those who built Saratov's universities and conservatories. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, the government forcibly expelled the Volga Germans to Uzbekistan, Siberia and Kazakhstan; few ever returned to the Volga region, even after rehabilitation. Others were expelled to western Europe after the end of the war.

Beginning in the 1980s, a large portion of the surviving members of the ethnic Germans emigrated from the Soviet Union to Germany. Reminders of the once prominent place of Germans in the city remain, with the Roman Catholic St. Klementy Cathedral (seat of the historic Diocese of Tiraspol) on Nemetskaya Street the most notable. The building was converted into the children's cinema "Pioneer" during the Soviet period. The new temple was built in 2000 elsewhere under the name of the Cathedral of the Holy apostles Peter and Paul (de).

Administrative and municipal status

Saratov is the administrative center of the oblast[1] and, within the framework of administrative divisions, it also serves as the administrative center of Saratovsky District,[2] even though it is not a part of it.[16] As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as Saratov City Under Oblast Jurisdiction[16]—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Samara City Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Saratov Urban Okrug.[3]

Climate

Saratov has moderately continental climate with warm and dry summers and an abundance of sunny days. The warmest month is July with daily mean temperature near +23 °C (73 °F); the coldest is February, at −8 °C (18 °F).

Summers are hot and dry in Saratov. Daytime temperatures of +30 °C (86 °F) or higher are commonplace.

Snow and ice are dominant during the winter season. Saratov receives about 163 centimeters (64 in) of snowfall annually. Days well above freezing and nights below −25 °C (−13 °F) both occur in the winter.

Climate data for Saratov
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6)		 7.3
(45.1)		 17.0
(62.6)		 31.1
(88)		 34.0
(93.2)		 39.5
(103.1)		 40.8
(105.4)		 40.9
(105.6)		 37.9
(100.2)		 25.1
(77.2)		 16.1
(61)		 11.7
(53.1)		 40.9
(105.6)
Average high °C (°F) −4.8
(23.4)		 −4.7
(23.5)		 1.1
(34)		 13.3
(55.9)		 21.5
(70.7)		 26.2
(79.2)		 28.2
(82.8)		 26.6
(79.9)		 19.8
(67.6)		 11.1
(52)		 1.6
(34.9)		 −3.6
(25.5)		 11.4
(52.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −7.8
(18)		 −8.1
(17.4)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 8.1
(46.6)		 15.7
(60.3)		 20.3
(68.5)		 22.4
(72.3)		 20.6
(69.1)		 14.3
(57.7)		 7.0
(44.6)		 −1.1
(30)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 6.9
(44.4)
Average low °C (°F) −10.6
(12.9)		 −11.1
(12)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 3.7
(38.7)		 10.4
(50.7)		 15.1
(59.2)		 17.2
(63)		 15.5
(59.9)		 9.9
(49.8)		 3.7
(38.7)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 −8.9
(16)		 3.0
(37.4)
Record low °C (°F) −37.3
(−35.1)		 −34.8
(−30.6)		 −26.8
(−16.2)		 −17.8
(0)		 −3.8
(25.2)		 2.2
(36)		 6.4
(43.5)		 4.3
(39.7)		 −2.9
(26.8)		 −12.6
(9.3)		 −24.7
(−12.5)		 −33.4
(−28.1)		 −37.3
(−35.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 41
(1.61)		 34
(1.34)		 31
(1.22)		 31
(1.22)		 35
(1.38)		 50
(1.97)		 49
(1.93)		 31
(1.22)		 49
(1.93)		 37
(1.46)		 46
(1.81)		 42
(1.65)		 476
(18.74)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 20
(7.9)		 35
(13.8)		 41
(16.1)		 26
(10.2)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 9
(3.5)		 20
(7.9)		 12
(4.7)		 163
(64.1)
Avg. rainy days 6 5 7 12 14 15 14 12 13 14 12 8 132
Avg. snowy days 19 15 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 16 71
Average relative humidity (%) 84 81 78 64 55 59 59 59 64 74 84 84 70
Mean monthly sunshine hours 55.8 81.2 139.5 219.0 279.0 309.0 319.3 272.8 153.0 114.7 60.0 49.6 2,052.9
Source #1: Pogoda.ru.net[17]
Source #2: Hong Kong Observatory [18]

Economy and infrastructure

Moskovskaya street in Saratov

Saratov Oblast is highly industrialized, due in part to the richness in natural and industrial resources of the area. The oblast is also one of the more important and largest cultural and scientific centers in Russia. Saratov possesses six institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, twenty-one research institutes, nineteen project institutes, as well as the Saratov State University, the Saratov State Socio-Economic University, the Saratov State Technical University, and many scientific and technological laboratories attached to some of the city's large industrial enterprises.

Transportation

Saratov is served by the Saratov Tsentralny Airport, and also hosts the general aviation airfield Saratov West. The aerospace manufacturing industry is served by the Saratov South airport. Nearby Engels Air Force Base is the main base for Russian strategic Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers.

Culture

One of the city's most prominent landmarks is the 19th century neo-Gothic Conservatory. When it was built in 1912, the Conservatory was Russia's third such institution (after Moscow and St. Petersburg). At the time, Saratov, with a population of 240,000, was the third-largest city in Russia.

Saratov Academic Theatre

The Saratov Drama Theater was founded in 1802, making it one of Russia's oldest. It is ranked as one of Russia's National Theaters. In Soviet times, the theater was renamed in honor of Karl Marx, but now carries the name of Ivan Slonov (1882–1945), an actor, theatrical director and educator, born in the city. The full name in Russian is The I. A. Slonov Saratov State Academic Theater (Саратовский государственный академический театр драмы имени И. А. Слонова).

The Radischev Art Museum

Saratov is noted for several art museums, including the Radischev Art Museum, named for Alexander Radishchev. It contains more than 20,000 exhibits, including ancient Russian icons, as well as works by some of the finest Russian painters (e.g. Aleksandra Ekster, Pavel Kuznetsov, Aristarkh Lentulov, Robert Falk, Pyotr Konchalovsky, Martiros Saryan, Fyodor Rokotov).

Kryty Market and Kirova Square
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Statue of Alexander Pushkin in Lipki Park

Demographics

In addition to ethnic Russians, the city also has many Tatar, Ukrainian, Jewish, and German residents.

Sports

Several sports clubs are active in the city:

Club Sport Founded Current League League
Rank 		Stadium
Kristall Saratov Ice Hockey 1955 Higher Hockey League 2nd Kirstall Sports Palace
Sokol Saratov Football 2005 Russian Second Division 3rd Lokomotiv Stadium
Avtodor Saratov Basketball 1960 Basketball Super League 2nd FOK Zvezndy
Universal Saratov Bandy 1953 Bandy Supreme League 2nd Dynamo Stadium

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

Saratov is twinned with:

Notable people

The Orthodox church of Utoli My Sorrow

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Charter of Saratov Oblast
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Государственный комитет Российской Федерации по статистике. Комитет Российской Федерации по стандартизации, метрологии и сертификации. №ОК 019-95 1 января 1997 г. «Общероссийский классификатор объектов административно-территориального деления. Код 63 243», в ред. изменения №243/2014 от 18 апреля 2014 г.. (State Statistics Committee of the Russian Federation. Committee of the Russian Federation on Standardization, Metrology, and Certification. #OK 019-95 January 1, 1997 Russian Classification of Objects of Administrative Division . Code 63 243, as amended by the Amendment #243/2014 of April 18, 2014. ).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Law #79-ZSO
  4. ↑ Law #78-ZSO
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Official website of Saratov. Alexey Lvovich Prokopenko, Head of Administration (Russian)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). "Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1" [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  7. ↑ Численность населения Российской Федерации по муниципальным образованиям на 1 января 2013 года. — М.: Федеральная служба государственной статистики Росстат, 2013. — 528 с. (Табл. 33. Численность населения городских округов, муниципальных районов, городских и сельских поселений, городских населенных пунктов, сельских населенных пунктов)
  8. ↑ The value of density was calculated automatically by dividing the 2010 Census population by the area specified in the infobox. Please note that this value may not be accurate as the area specified in the infobox does not necessarily correspond to the area of the entity proper or is reported for the same year as the population.
  9. ↑ Правительство Российской Федерации. Федеральный закон №107-ФЗ от 3 июня 2011 г. «Об исчислении времени», в ред. Федерального закона №248-ФЗ от 21 июля 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в Федеральный закон "Об исчислении времени"». Вступил в силу по истечении шестидесяти дней после дня официального опубликования (6 августа 2011 г.). Опубликован: "Российская газета", №120, 6 июня 2011 г. (Government of the Russian Federation. Federal Law #107-FZ of June 31, 2011 On Calculating Time, as amended by the Federal Law #248-FZ of July 21, 2014 On Amending Federal Law "On Calculating Time". Effective as of after sixty days following the day of the official publication.).
  10. ↑ Почта России. Информационно-вычислительный центр ОАСУ РПО. (Russian Post). Поиск объектов почтовой связи (Postal Objects Search) (Russian)
  11. ↑ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (May 21, 2004). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек" [Population of Russia, Its Federal Districts, Federal Subjects, Districts, Urban Localities, Rural Localities—Administrative Centers, and Rural Localities with Population of Over 3,000] (XLS). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года [All-Russia Population Census of 2002] (in Russian). Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  12. ↑ Demoscope Weekly (1989). "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров" [All Union Population Census of 1989: Present Population of Union and Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Oblasts and Okrugs, Krais, Oblasts, Districts, Urban Settlements, and Villages Serving as District Administrative Centers]. Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года[All-Union Population Census of 1989] (in Russian). Институт демографии Национального исследовательского университета: Высшая школа экономики [Institute of Demography at the National Research University: Higher School of Economics]. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  13. ↑ Тамбовско-Саратовская линия (in Russian)
  14. ↑ Sergej G.: Die Politik Russlands gegenüber den Deutschen 1914 - 1918. In: Eisfeld, Alfred et al. [Hrsg.] Deutsche in Russland und in der Sowjetunion 1914 - 1941. Lit Verlag, Berlin 2007.
  15. ↑ «Волжская рокада». Линия Иловля - Саратов - Сызрань - Ульяновск - Свияжск (in Russian)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Государственный комитет Российской Федерации по статистике. Комитет Российской Федерации по стандартизации, метрологии и сертификации. №ОК 019-95 1 января 1997 г. «Общероссийский классификатор объектов административно-территориального деления. Код 63 401», в ред. изменения №243/2014 от 18 апреля 2014 г.. (State Statistics Committee of the Russian Federation. Committee of the Russian Federation on Standardization, Metrology, and Certification. #OK 019-95 January 1, 1997 Russian Classification of Objects of Administrative Division . Code 63 401, as amended by the Amendment #243/2014 of April 18, 2014. ).
  17. ↑ "Pogoda.ru.net" (in Russian). Retrieved September 8, 2007.
  18. ↑ Climatological Norms of Saratov . Retrieved on: August 24, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Sister Cities". Dallas-ecodev.org. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  20. ↑ (active in the early 1950s)

Sources

External links