Saratov is a large city located in the southeast of the European part of Russia, on the right bank of the Volga River. The capital of the Saratov region, it is located about 840 km south-east of Moscow. It is an important cultural, economic and educational center of the Volga region.
The population of Saratov is about 842,000 (2015), the area – 394 sq. km.
The phone code – +7 8452, the postal codes – 410000-410600.
Saratov history
People lived on the site of present Saratov since ancient times. The last settlement that existed before the foundation of Saratov was destroyed in 1395-1396, during the invasion of Tamerlane, who ruined Uvek (Ukek) – one of the towns of the Golden Horde.
After the military campaigns of the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible against the Khanate of Kazan (1552) and the Khanate of Astrakhan (1556), Russian kingdom received vast territory of the Volga River region. At the end of the 16th century, to make the Volga River safe for merchant ships and defend the southeastern border of the state, several fortress were built along its banks. Samara fortress was founded in 1586, Tsaritsyn (Volgograd) – in 1589. The town of Saratov was founded in 1590, halfway between Samara and Tsaritsyn.
There are several hypotheses of origin of the name of Saratov. The first says that it is connected with the Turkic phrase “Saryk Atov” meaning “hawk island”. Another one says that it is from the Tatar phrase “Sary Tau” meaning “yellow mountain” (Saratov is surrounded by several sandy hills).
Saratov features
On the coat of arms of Saratov, you can see three silver sterlets meaning their abundance in the area. The sterlets, forming a Greek letter “epsilon”, symbolize “the choice of a decent way of life at the crossroads.”
The city stretches for 34 km along the Volga. The central and southern parts of Saratov are situated in the valley, surrounded on three sides by low mountains of Volga Uplands: Sokolovaya (165 meters), Lysaya (286 m), Lopatina (274 m), Altynnaya (251 m ), Uvek (135 m). Urban public transport is represented by trams, trolleys, buses, minibuses, and taxi.
Saratov climate is temperate continental. The city has long (about four months), moderately cold winters and hot, often dry summers. The average temperature in February (the coldest month) is minus 8.1 degrees Celsius, in July – plus 22.4 degrees Celsius.
The city is known as a center of higher education, research and scientific activities. Beside one of the oldest Universities in Russia, there are over a dozen of colleges in the city.
Saratov is an important industrial center of the Volga River area. Machine-building, oil and chemical industries are well developed. About 70% of the industrial product of Saratov is produced by large engineering plants.
Saratov attractions
Present Saratov combines the architecture of an old merchant town and modern city. At the same time, it is a city of universities, theaters, and museums. The historical center of Saratov consists of a number of buildings constructed in the late 19th – mid-20th centuries.
You can begin acquaintance with Saratov by strolling through the city center. Kirov Avenue with a lot of hotels is called “Saratov Arbat”. At the end of the avenue you will find a quiet and picturesque Lipki park, where you can relax after a walk through the city center.
On the famous Cosmonauts Embankment of Saratov, you can enjoy the beauty of the Volga River and will be able to walk over the bridge “Saratov-Engels” or take pictures near the Rotunda – the favorite place of the newlyweds in Saratov.
Chernyshevskogo Street is the longest street in Saratov stretching for 7 km along the Volga. The oldest building in the city is Holy Trinity Cathedral (1674-1695) located on Museum Square. The most massive building constructed before 1917 is the Volga railway administration building (Moskovskaya Street, 8).
