Volgograd, formerly Tsaritsyn, 1589–1925, and Stalingrad, 1925–1961, is an important industrial city and the administrative center of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. It is 80 kilometers long, north to south. It is situated on the western bank of the Volga River. The population is 1,021,215; 1,011,417; 1,022,578.The city became famous for its resistance, and the extensive physical damage and death toll it suffered, during the Battle of Stalingrad against the German Army in World War II. Starting in 2013, for nine days every year, the city may be officially referred to as "Stalingrad".
