Volgograd

Volgograd is a city in the south-east of European Russia, the administrative center of Volgograd Oblast. It is also a Hero city. From 1589 to 1925 it was known as Tsaritsyn and from 1925 to 1961 - Stalingrad. The population of the city is 979 617.

The climate is moderately continental. The annual average precipitation is 403mm. The average temperatures are the following: in January - -7,3 °C (but it can drop to -32,6 °C), in July - +24,2 °C (but it can rise to +41,1 °C). There can be a sharp temperature drop. From the end of April to October the climate is similar to that in Central Asia and Middle East.

Winter is moderately cold, with frequent thaws and falls of temperature. The coldest month is February. Summer is hot and long.

Due to its advantageous geographical position Volgograd occupies strategic positions in social and economic development of the South of Russia.

Industrial complex of Volgograd is mainly represented by sectors of heavy industry. But there are also industries which include shipbuilding, oil refining, steel and aluminium production, manufacture of machinery and vehicles, and chemical production.

There are 240 nursery schools, 102 comprehensive schools, 20 gymnasiums, 13 lyceums, 12 boarding schools, 18 art schools, 31 sports schools and 10 musical schools.

The oldest university is Volgograd Municipal Institute of Arts named after P.A.  Serebryakov.