Kirov, Kirov Oblast
Kirov (Russian: Киров, IPA: [ˈkʲirəf] ⓘ) is the largest city and administrative center of Kirov Oblast, Russia. It is located on the Vyatka River in European Russia, 896 kilometres (557 mi) northeast of Moscow. Its population was 468,212 in 2021, up to roughly 750 thousand residents in the urban agglomeration.
Kirov
Киров | |
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Spassky Cathedral Rotunda in the Alexander Garden Seraphim Church Shopping complex on Spasskaya street Trifonov Monastery Foreign Trade Bank building | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Kirov | |
Kirov Location of Kirov Kirov Kirov (European Russia) Kirov Kirov (Europe) | |
| Coordinates: 58°36′N 49°41′E | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Kirov Oblast |
| First mentioned | 1374 |
| Government | |
| • Body | City Duma |
| • Head | Kovaleva Elena |
| Area | |
| • Total | 757.0 km2 (292.3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 473,695 |
| • Estimate (2018) | 507,155 (+7.1%) |
| • Rank | 38th in 2010 |
| • Density | 630/km2 (1,600/sq mi) |
Administrative status | |
| • Subordinated to | City of Kirov |
| • Capital of | Kirov Oblast, City of Kirov |
Municipal status | |
| • Urban okrug | Kirov Urban Okrug |
| • Capital of | Kirov Urban Okrug |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (MSK ) |
| Postal code(s) | List
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| Dialing code(s) | +7 8332 |
| OKTMO ID | 33701000001 |
| City Day | observed in June |
The city was previously known as Vyatka (Russian: Вя́тка, IPA: [[ˈvʲatka]]), after the Vyatka River, until 1934, and as Khlynov (Хлы́нов) from 1457 to 1780. It was renamed Kirov after Bolshevik Sergei Kirov in 1934, even though he never visited the city.
Kirov was the center of Vyatka Land which was settled by Russians during the Middle Ages.
It is an important economic, transportation, industrial, educational and cultural center in Volga-Vyatka region. It is also home to the many Russian folk crafts, such as Dymkovo toys, vyatka lace and carving on a capa-root. In the historic part of the city there are many universities, theaters, museums and churches.
The city was founded in 1374 (according to other sources in 1181), which makes it one of the oldest cities in Russia.