Astrakhan is a city in Russia, administrative center of Astrakhan region. Located in the upper part of Volga river Delta, on 11 Islands of the Caspian depression. Located 1500 km from Moscow. Is a sea and river port of the Volga-Caspian basin. It is considered a monopolist for the production of sulfur. The internal division of the city is represented by four administrative districts. The population of 520,7 thousand people, 69,69% Russian, 14,19% of the Kazakhs, of 7.02% Tatars, a little more than 1% of Ukrainians and Chechens.
Telephone code: 7 851 2. Postcode: 414000. Car code: 30.
the First mention of the city dates back to XIII century. There are about twenty names of ancient Astrakhan: Astrakhan, Charitraheen, Astrahan, Astrakan, Agaran and others, and therefore several versions of the origin of the city name. One of them says, that Astrakhan translates as "located in the lower reaches" . Originally the city was a major trading center on the route from Persia and India to Europe, 1456 became the capital of Astrakhan khanate. In 1558 year, the city was moved to another location (on the left Bank of the Volga), this year is considered the founding year of modern Astrakhan. The city status was obtained in 1717 year. |