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| Kirov (English) Киров (Russian) |
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 Aerial view of the city |
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.svg) Location of Kirov Oblast on the map of Russia |
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  Location of Kirov on the map of Kirov Oblast
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| Coordinates 58°36′00″N 49°39′00″E / 58.6°N 49.65°ECoordinates: 58°36′00″N 49°39′00″E / 58.6°N 49.65°E |
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| Coat of Arms | Flag |
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| City Day: September 17 | |
| Administrative status | |
| Federal subject In jurisdiction of Administrative center of |
Kirov Oblast Kirov Oblast Kirov Oblast |
| Local self-government | |
| Charter | |
| Municipal status | Urban okrug |
| Head | Vladimir Bykov |
| Representative Body | |
| Area | |
| Area | 757 km² (292.3 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| 2002 Census - Rank - Density |
503,043 inhabitants 664.5/km² (1,721/sq mi) |
| Events | |
| Founded | 1181 |
| First mention | 1374 |
| Other information | |
| Postal code | 610000-610050 |
| Dialing code | +7 8332 |
| Official website | |
| http://www.admkirov.ru | |
Kirov (Russian: Ки́ров), formerly known as Vyatka and Khlynov, is a city in north-eastern European Russia, on the Vyatka River, and the administrative center of Kirov Oblast. Geographical location 58°36′N 49°39′E / 58.6°N 49.65°E. Population (2002 census): 457,578.
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History
The fort of Khlynov, situated just west of the Ural Mountains, was founded by Novgorodian entrepreneurs in 1181. It is first mentioned as a town in documents from 1374. Khlynov was incorporated into Muscovy in 1489 and became known throughout Russia for its clay statuettes and whistles. It was also managed by Khanate of Kazan and was known as "Hılın". The town's oldest surviving monument is the Assumption Cathedral (1689), an imposing structure surmounted by five globular domes.
In 1781 Catherine the Great renamed Khlynov to Vyatka and made it the centre of a separate guberniya. The town also served as a place of exile, notably for Alexander Herzen, Alexander Vitberg, and Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin. By the end of the 19th century, it was an important station on the Trans-Siberian railway. In December 1934, it was renamed for the Soviet leader Sergey Kirov, who had been assassinated on December 1.
Economy
Kirov is a major transportation hub (railway; Trans-Siberian main) and river port. It is served by Kirov Pobedilovo airport. During the 1990s this airport was closed and for several years provided only irregular service. During the 2003-2006 summer seasons there were signs of a revival in air transportation as several companies attempted to establish flight routes from Kirov to Moscow and Krasnodar. Since 2006 Kirov airport has been used by a local company operating flights to Moscow.
The Kirov River port went bankrupt in the late 1990s and all its river boats were sold to other regions. The Kirov region is also famous for having some of the worst highways and city streets of the local regions. Kirov is a center of machine building; metallurgy, light, the printing trade, and the timber industry.
Culture
Kirov has several museums, universities and theaters. According to a report in Pravda dated January 4, 2005, Kirov is known as the "city of twins" for the unusually high number of multiple births there.
Sister city
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kirov, Kirov Oblast |
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