photo by
Bolik from a recent trip
Samara -
Wikipedia article
It was the city to which Soviet government was evacuated from Moscow in 1941.
Samara (Russian: Сама́ра) (Kuybyshev (Ку́йбышев) from 1935 to 1990) is one of the largest cities in Russia. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia, the Volga Federal District. Samara is the capital of Samara Oblast. Population: 1,157,880 (2002 Census);1,254,460 (1989 Census). The metropolitan area of Samara-Togliatti-Syzran within Samara Region constitutes the population of more than 3.0 million people. Formerly a closed city, Samara is now a large and important social, political, economic, industrial and cultural center of European Russia which in May 2007 held the European Union — Russia Summit.
Samara is located on the left bank of the Volga river which acts as its western boundary. Its northern boundary is formed by Sokolyi Hills and by the steppes in the south and east. The land within the city boundaries covers 46,597 ha. Samara has a continental climate characterized by hot summer and cold winter.
Samara citizens' life has been associated with the Volga river, serving as the main commercial route of Russia through several centuries. Volga has a great visual appeal. Samara river-front is one of the favorite recreation places of local dwellers and the guests.
Samara is a leading industrial center in the Volga Area and is among the top ten Russian cities as regards produced national income and industry volume. Samara is known for the production of aerospace launch vehicles, satellites and various space services, engines and cable, aircraft and rolled aluminum, block-module power stations; refinery, chemical and cryogenic products; gas-pumping units; bearings of different sizes, drilling bits; automated electric equipment; airfield equipment; truck-mounted cranes; construction materials; chocolate made by Russia Chocolate Factory; vodka Rodnik; Zhiguli beer; food processing and light industry products.
To be continued...