Saratov

Saratov (sərä`təf), city (1991 est. pop. 910,000), capital of Saratov region, E European Russia, on the Volga River. It is a major industrial, transportation, and cultural center of the lower Volga region. Its river port is a transfer point for the agricultural products of the lower Volga valley and for petroleum from Baky. Saratov's industries produce precision instruments, building materials, machine tools, and electric generators. There are oil refineries, flour mills, sawmills, furniture and chemical factories, and gas plants. A bridge built in 1965 spans the Volga. The city was founded c.1590 as a Russian sentry post on the Volga. Although its military importance declined in the 18th cent., the city retained significance for its river trade. In the late 19th cent. railroad construction tied Saratov to central European Russia. The city has a museum and a university named in honor of the literary critic N. G. Chernyshevsky, who was born there.

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Saratov

City (pop., 2006 est.: 850,086), western Russia. Located on the Volga River, it was founded in 1590 as a fortress to protect the trade route along the Volga. It was moved to a new site in 1616 and again in 1674 after the fortress was destroyed in a revolt. Linked to Moscow by railroad in the 1870s, Saratov became a major commercial centre. Its road bridge across the Volga (opened 1965) is one of the longest in Europe. A major industrial centre, it produces electric and petrochemical equipment and machine tools. Its educational institutions include a university (founded 1909) and a music conservatory.

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Saratov

an industrial city in W Russia, on the River Volga: university (1919). Pop.: 868 000 (2005 est.)