Kirov, Kirov Oblast
Kirov (Russian: Ки́ров), formerly known as Vyatka and Khlynov, is a city in north-eastern European Russia, on the Vyatka River, administrative center of Kirov Oblast. Geographical location 58°36′N 49°39′E / 58.600°N 49.650°E. Population (2002 census): 457,578.
History
The fort of Khlynov, situated just west from the Ural Mountains, was founded by Novgorodian entrepreneurs in 1374. It is first mentioned as town in documents from 1457. Khlynov was incorporated into Muscovy in 1489 and became known throughout Russia for its clay statuettes and whistles. The town's oldest surviving monument is the Assumption Cathedral (1689), an imposing structure surmounted by five globular domes.
In 1781 Catherine the Great renamed Khlynov to Vyatka and made it a centre of separate guberniya. The town also served as a place of exile, notably for Alexander Herzen and Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin. By the end of the 19th century, it was an important station on the Trans-Siberian railway. In December 1934, it was renamed after the Soviet leader Sergey Kirov, who had been assassinated on December 1.
Economy
Kirov is a major transportation hub (rail and highways; Trans-Siberian main) and river port; airport. Large center of machine building; metallurgy, light, printing trade.
Culture
Kirov has several museums, universities and theaters. According to a report in Pravda dated January 4, 2005, Kirov is known as the "city of twins" for the unusually high number of multiple births there. Its population is about 400.000 people.