Astrakhan
Astrakhan
Астрахань | |
|---|---|
View of Astrakhan Maria Ascension Cathedral Astrakhan Stock Exchange Nikolskaya Street View of the Astrakhan Kremlin | |
| Anthem: Anthem of Astrakhan | |
Location of Astrakhan | |
| Coordinates: 46°21′00″N 48°02′06″E / 46.35000°N 48.03500°E | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Astrakhan Oblast |
| Founded | 1558 |
| City status since | 1717 |
| Government | |
| • Body | City Duma |
| • Head | Oleg Polumordvinov |
| Area | |
• Total | 208.70 km2 (80.58 sq mi) |
| Elevation | −25 m (−82 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 520,339 |
• Estimate (January 2014) | 530,900 |
| • Rank | 33rd in 2010 |
| • Density | 2,500/km2 (6,500/sq mi) |
| • Subordinated to | city of oblast significance of Astrakhan |
| • Capital of | Astrakhan Oblast, city of oblast significance of Astrakhan |
| • Urban okrug | Astrakhan Urban Okrug |
| • Capital of | Astrakhan Urban Okrug |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (MSK+1 ) |
| Postal code(s) | 414000, 414004, 414006, 414008, 414009, 414011–414019, 414021, 414022, 414024–414026, 414028–414030, 414032, 414038, 414040–414042, 414044–414046, 414050–414052, 414056, 414057, 414700, 414890, 414899, 414950, 414960, 414961, 414999 |
| Dialing code(s) | +7 8512 |
| OKTMO ID | 12701000001 |
| City Day | Third Sunday of September |
| Website | www |
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Astrakhan (Russian: Астрахань, IPA: [ˈastrəxənʲ] ⓘ) is the largest city and administrative centre of Astrakhan Oblast in southern Russia. The city lies on two banks of the Volga, in the upper part of the Volga Delta, on eleven islands of the Caspian Depression, 100 km (62 mi) from the Caspian Sea, with a population of 475,629 residents at the 2021 Census. At an elevation of 28 meters (92 ft) below sea level, it is the lowest city in Russia.
Astrakhan was formerly the capital of the Khanate of Astrakhan (a remnant of the Golden Horde) of the Astrakhan Tatars, and was located on the higher right bank of the Volga, eleven kilometres (6.8 mi) from the present-day city. Situated on caravan and water routes, it developed from a village into a large trading centre, before being conquered by Timur in 1395 and captured by Ivan the Terrible in 1556 and in 1558 it was moved to its present site.
The oldest economic and cultural center of the Lower Volga region, it is often called the southernmost outpost of Russia, and the Caspian capital. The city is a member of the Eurasian Regional Office of the World Organization United Cities and Local Governments. The great ethnic diversity of its population gives a varied character to Astrakhan. The city is the center of the Astrakhan metropolitan area.