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The capital city of Saratov oblast: Saratov.
Saratov oblast (also spelled Saratovskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of Volga Federal District. The administrative center of the region is Saratov city.
Saratov oblast population is 2,573,000 (2009); land area - 100,200 sq. km.
Saratov oblast is located in the southeastern part of European Russia. Main river of the region is Volga dividing oblast into two parts. Main natural resources of Saratov oblast are oil, natural gas, shale oil, phosphorites, various sands and stones.
The largest cities and towns of the region are Saratov (841,000), Engels (201,000), Balakovo (200,000), Balashov (93,000), Volsk (69,000). About 74% of Saratov region population is urban, 86% Russians. There are 38 administrative districts, 1805 villages and 18 cities and towns in Saratov oblast.
“The first”, “for the first time” - these words are often used concerning Saratovskaya oblast. Actually there are a lot of outstanding and unique events in the oblast chronicle. The first gas deposit was found there; gas pipeline Saratov-Moscow was the base of gas industry in the USSR. Russian National circus was founded in Saratov (1873), the third in Russia conservatoire was opened (1912); the 10th University (1909), the first children’s theater (1918).
In Saratov, on the bank of the Volga the member of Saratov aviation club and industrial college graduate Yuri Gagarin made his first flight. It’s interesting that after his legendary space flight he landed on the territory of Saratov region. The second spaceman - Herman Titov - landed on this territory too.
There are three Russian Air Force bases and Taman rocket division of Russian Rocket Forces on the territory of Saratov oblast
Saratov oblast landscape
Saratov oblast scenery
Saratov oblast view
The fortress of Saratov was founded in summer 1590. In the first half of 17th century Saratov was a large fortress on the Volga where 300-400 streletses (soldiers in regular army in Russia of 16th-17th centuries) permanently stayed. In spring 1674 the fortress was transferred to the opposite bank of the river. The population became of more importance, busy in fishing, bread and salt trading. In June 1722 Peter I visited Saratov on his way to Persia.
In 1781 the coat of arms of Saratov was established: on the blue background of heraldic shield 3 sterlets of silver color swim towards each other. Fish and water resources of the region found their imaginative reflection in the coat of arms. Saratov turned into rich merchant city.
Saratovskaya oblast was formed according to Constitution of the USSR adopted on December 5th, 1936, when Saratovsky krai was reformed into Saratovskaya oblast with the separate Volga Germans Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. On September 7th, 1941, the territories of 15 cantons of the former Volga Germans ASSR were united with Saratovskaya oblast. The current borders of the region were finalized in 1957.
On the Volga River, not far from the foundation of right-bank Saratov, links between past, present and future are especially sensed. There, on Museum Square, the architectural monument is located - St.Trinity church built at the end of 17th - early 18th centuries. The airport is located near Sokolinaya mountain which is the remembrance of Peter I and Ye.Pugachov.
Saratov Russia oblast scenery
Saratov Russia oblast sunset
Saratovskaya oblast scenery
Saratovskaya oblast is one of the leading in the Volga economic region in the level and amount of its industrial development. The industry of the region unites over 2,000 large and small enterprises. Trolley-buses are produced there (Trolza), railway equipment (Engels transportation machine-building plant), refrigerators, liquid fuel and oil product (Saratov oil-processing plant), mineral fertilizers, cement, school textbooks are printed, chemical and furniture-producing plants are in process.
In industry most developed are the following branches: power engineering and fuel (45,5%), machine-building (19,1%), chemical and oil-chemical (15,6%), food (9,2%). Large power stations - Balakovskaya nuclear power station and Saratovskaya hydro power station are located in the oblast, their total capacity is 4,000 and 1,360 MWt. These power stations produce 1/4th of power in the Volga region and 3% of power in Russia.
Railway is the leading transportation in Saratov oblast, over 90% of freight and about 40% of passenger turnover is made by railway. River transportation is developed fairly good, the city of Saratov is the largest river port on the Volga.
Saratov oblast is traditionally an agricultural region. The oblast is the 10th among Russian regions in the amount of agricultural product. The specific feature of Saratovskaya oblast is a great number of farmers having lands under crops, in 2009 the farmers part of lands under crops was about 45%.
Saratov region bridge
Saratov region village scenery
Saratov oblast autumn view
Saratov Russia oblast winter
Saratov Russia region church
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