Volgograd

views updated May 18 2018

Volgograd Major Russian inland port on the River Volga, the e terminus of the Volga-Don Canal. During the Civil War that followed the Russian Revolution, it was defended by Bolshevik troops under Stalin (1918–20), and was renamed Stalingrad in his honour (1925). In the winter of 1942–43, it was almost completely destroyed in a fierce battle that halted the German advance. Rebuilt after World War 2 and renamed Volgograd in 1961, it is a major rail and industrial centre. Industries: oil-refining, shipbuilding, chemicals, aluminium, steel, farm vehicles. Pop. (1999) 1,000,000.