Volgograd

Industrial city in southwest Russian Federation, on the River Volga; population (2002) 1,011,400. Industries include the manufacture of metal goods and machinery, sawmilling, and oil refining.

Its successful defence 1942–43 against Germany was a turning point in World War II.

Volgograd

Oblast (region) in the southwestern Russian Federation; area 114,100 sq km/44,054 sq mi; population (1996) 2,704,000 (74% urban). The capital is Volgograd. There are engineering, lumbering, oil and gas extraction, chemical, foodstuffs, and hydroelectric power generation industries. Wheat, sunflowers, and vegetables are grown, and there is cattle and sheep farming.

The region is crossed by the Volga (which separates the Volga upland in the west from the lowland in the east) and Don rivers. The terrain is predominantly dry steppe, subject to frequent droughts. There are large salt deposits around the shores of Lake Elton in the far east near the border with Kazakhstan. Cities in the region include Kamyshin, Mikhaylovka, and Volzhskiy.

The area was virtually unpopulated until annexed by Muscovy in 1552–56. It was partly overrun by German forces in 1942–43.