Kirov

Capital city and economic and cultural centre of Kirov oblast (region), western Russia; population (2002) 457,600. Kirov is a major industrial city extending for 20 km/12 mi along the River Vyatka, 320 km/199 mi north of Kazan. There are engineering, chemical, woodworking, and leather industries, and a large toy factory.

Kirov was founded in the 12th century (as Khylnov) by travellers from Novgorod, and was first chronicled in 1374. It became the centre of Russian colonization of the area, and was known as Vyatka from 1780. In 1934, it was renamed in honour of Soviet leader Sergei Kirov. Although it became known as Vyatka again after the demise of communism in 1992, it has now reverted to the former name.