Founded in 1589 as a fortress, Volgograd (then Tsaritsyn) gradually grew into an important river-port. 鈥嶴talingrad (renamed in 1925) was a fast growing urban centre when the World War II began. One of the 鈥巐ongest and deadliest battles in the history of the warfare raged here in 1942-1943. Quickly rebuilt and 鈥巖evived after the war, it became vibrant again. Now Volgograd is the capital of the region with 1 million 鈥巖esidents. It offers many visitor attractions including the famous Mamayev Kurgan. 鈥
