Penza city, Russia

The capital city of Penza oblast.

Penza city overview

Penza is a city in Russian Federation, an administrative center of Penza (Penzenskaya) oblast. Penza city is located on Privolzhskaya hill, on the river Sura (falls into Volga river). The distance from Moscow city is 709 km (by train), 629 km (by car - highway M5 Moscow - Chelyabinsk).

Penza city has the population of 507,000 (2009) on the land area of 305 sq. km.

The phone code of Penza - +7 8412; the postal codes - 440000-440071.

Penza city flag

Penza city coat of arms

Penza city map, Russia

Penza city history

Penza was founded in 1663 as a fortress. It was a fortress in the south-eastern part of Moscow state, built by the order of Tsar Alexey Mihailovich. In 1719 the town became a center of vice-gerency, in 1796 - of gubernia.

In 1797 Penza was a town in Saratovskaya gubernia. In 1801 Penza became a center of Penzenskaya gubernia, which included a part of current Republic of Mordovia with its capital.

In 1928 Penza - the center of Penzensky okrug of Srednevolzhsky region, in 1930 - a district center of Srednevolzhsky, then Kuybyshevsky region. In 1937 - a district town in Tambovskaya oblast (province), since 1939 - a center of Penzenskaya oblast.

Penza city economics and transportation

Main industries of Penza city are machine- and equipment-building, electrical equipment building, electronic and optical equipment.

Penza is a large railway junction. With the south the city is connected with South-Eastern railway; with the north, west and east - with Kuybyshev railway.

The federal highway M5 “Ural” (Moscow - Chelyabinsk) crosses Penza city. In the city starts the highway P209 Penza - Tambov, some km far from the city - the highway Saratov - Nizhny Novgorod.

Bus terminal in Penza is the largest in the oblast connecting Penza with district centers and neighboring oblasts centers.

In the southern outskirt of Penza there is an airport (2 flights to Moscow every day).

Penza city transportation consists of trolley-buses, buses and minivans. Penza is one of the largest cities in Russia which doesn’t have trams. According to city’s general plan construction of speedy tram is planned in the future.

The main pedestrian street, “a personal card” of Penza city is Moskovskaya street.