VOLGOGRAD , RUSSIA

Volgograd is a port on the VolgaRiver and is the eastern terminus of the Volga – DonCanal. From 1925 – 1961, the city was named Stalingrad. Founded in 1589 as a stronghold to defend Russia’s newly acquired land along the Volga, the city was originally called Tsaritsyn. In the 19^th century, it became an important commercial centre. During the Russian civil war, the city was defended by Soviet forces under Stalin, Voroshilov, and Budenny. The city was virtually destroyed during World War II, in a battle that marked a turning point in the war and a landmark in military history. For more than six months beginning September 1942, German forces exceeding 500,000 men besieged the city. German forces were driven from the city on February 2, 1943, and the Soviets immediately began rebuilding the city.