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The capital city of Tatarstan republic.
Kazan city (also spelled Qazan) is the capital and administrative center of Tatarstan Republic of Russia. The city is the largest river port on Volga. Kazan is one of the largest economic, political, scientific and cultural centers of Russia. From Tatar people language word “qazan” means a boiler or cauldron.
Kazan city population is about 1,120,000 (2008). Land area of the city is 425 sq. km.
Kazan city phone code is +7-843. Postal codes are 420000-420xxx.
According to official version accepted nowadays Kazan was founded no less than 1000 years ago. The evidence for such a date is a Chech coin found on the Kremlin territory and dated approximately 929-930s as well as other items with less clear date.
Kazan was founded as an outpost on northern borders of Volzhkaya Bulgaria. In 13th-14th centuries Kazan rapidly developed and became an important trade and political center in Golden Horde. The favorable geographical location of the city on bid trade ways connecting East and West promotes the city’s growth.
In 1438 Kazan city was declared the capital of Kazan Khanate. There was a chain of conflicts with Moscow principality and as a result Kazan was conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 with the following destroy of a big part of the city and vanishing population.
After rebellions were finally suppressed Kazan began its new history as a part of Russian state. In 1556 the construction of the new, white stoned Kremlin began, 7,000 Russians were brought into empty city. In 17th century the city grew economically and first manufacturing factories came into being.
In 1708 Kazan became the capital of big Kazan gubernia. From the 60s of 18th century the city construction was held according to plan, the first wooden roads were built as well as bridges across rivers Bulak and Kazanka rivers.
By the end of 18th century about 22,000 people lived in Kazan, together with suburbs - over 40,000 and only about 10% of them were Tatars. The city became an educational and cultural center of the Volga region: in 1758 the first provincial gymnasium was opened in Kazan, in 1771 - the first madrasah, in 1791 - a theater. In 1804 the Kazan University was established - the third in Russia - and the city became a large scientific center.
In 20th century the city experienced a lot of events. Kazan became one of the centers of revolution, in 1918 during the Civil War heavy battles were held for Kazan. In 1920 the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed with the capital Kazan.
In 1930s intensive industrialization of Kazan city began, at the same time the population rapidly grew. During World War II a lot of big plants were evacuated to Kazan as well as a part of the USSR Academy of Science.
In post-war period Kazan city intensely developed, in 1979 the population was over 1,000,000. In 1990s Kazan became one of the financial and political centers of Russia.
The international airport “Kazan” is located 28 km to the south of the city. Flights in 39 directions are held from it, including 14 to foreign countries. In 2008 the airport had 751,504 passengers.
By Kazan 2013 Summer Universiade the airport will be reconstructed and will be able to have 5,000,000 passengers a year.
The railway station is located in the central part of Kazan, the main building of which was constructed in 1896. Within a year the train station has over 8,000,000 passengers.
Kazan is connected by bus transportation with all the cities of Tatarstan Republic and neighboring regions and republics.
Buses to Naberezhnye Chelny, Chistopol, Nizhnekamsk, Bugulma, Almetyevsk, Bavly, Ufa, Sterlitamak, Ulyanovsk, Samara, Orenburg, Cheboksary, Yoshkar-Ola, Busuluk start from Kazan every day. There are also international routes Kazan - Baku, Kazan - Aktobe.
Kazan as the capital of Tatarstan Republic is a large railway, highway and airway junction. Kazan is the most important economic center of the region.
Main industries of Kazan city are automotive, chemical, food, light and petrochemical industries. The population of the city includes about 52% of Tatars, 43% of Russians and 1.2% of Chuvash.
Today Kazan city is the center of Tatar people culture. Kazan has been undergoing a total renovation since 2000. The metro was opened in 2005. The city celebrated its millennium in 2005 when one of the largest mosques in Russia (Qolsharif) was built inside Kazan Kremlin walls. Also Millennium Bridge was completed in 2005.
Kazan Kremlin is among UNESCO world heritage and a 1000 year history of Kazan make it one of Russian cities most often visited by tourists.
Kazan city street view
Kazan Russia city scenery
Kazan city architecture
Kazan city circus
Kazan city monument
Kazan city museum
Kazan city kremlin wall
Kazan kremlin inner view
Kazan Kul-Sharif mosque
Kazan city river view
Kazan city Suyumbika tower
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