Samara
Samara (/səˈmɑːrə/ sə-MAR-ə; Russian: Самара, IPA: [sɐˈmarə]), known from 1935 to 1991 as Kuybyshev (Куйбышев; IPA: [ˈkujbɨʂɨf]), is the largest city and administrative centre of Samara Oblast in Russia. The city is located at the confluence of the Volga and the Samara rivers, with a population of over 1.14 million residents, up to 1.22 million residents in the urban agglomeration, not including Novokuybyshevsk, which is not conurbated. The city covers an area of 541.382 square kilometers (209.029 sq mi), and is the eighth-largest city in Russia and tenth agglomeration, the third-most populous city on the Volga, as well as the Volga Federal District.
Samara
Самара | |
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Top: View of Samara skyline along the Volga river Middle: Sacred Heart Church, Soyuz launch vehicle (left to right) Bottom: Samara Railway Station, Samara Regional Art Museum (left to right) | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Samara | |
Samara Location of Samara Samara Samara (European Russia) Samara Samara (Russia) Samara Samara (Europe) | |
| Coordinates: 53°12′10″N 50°08′27″E | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Samara Oblast |
| Founded | 1586 |
| City status since | 1688 |
| Government | |
| • Body | Duma |
| • Mayor | Yelena Lapushkina |
| Area | |
| • Total | 541.382 km2 (209.029 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 100 m (300 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,164,685 |
| • Estimate (2018) | 1,163,399 (−0.1%) |
| • Rank | sixth in 2010 |
| • Density | 2,200/km2 (5,600/sq mi) |
| • Subordinated to | city of oblast significance of Samara |
| • Capital of | Samara Oblast, Volzhsky District |
| • Urban okrug | Samara Urban Okrug |
| • Capital of | Samara Urban Okrug, Volzhsky Municipal District |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (MSK+1 ) |
| Postal code(s) | 443XXX |
| Dialing code(s) | +7 846 |
| OKTMO ID | 36701000001 |
Formerly a closed city, Samara is now a large and important social, political, economic, industrial, and cultural centre in Russia and hosted the European Union—Russia Summit in May 2007. It has a continental climate characterised by hot summers and cold winters. The life of Samara's citizens has always been intrinsically linked to the Volga River, which has not only served as the main commercial thoroughfare of Russia throughout several centuries, but also has great visual appeal. Samara's riverfront is one of the main recreation sites for both local citizens and tourists.