Population 122,580 (2010) | Area 103 km² | |
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Map of Dimitrovgrad, Russia
Dimitrovgrad (Russian: Димитровгра́д) is a city in Ulyanovsk Oblast, Russia, located on the Bolshoy Cheremshan River.
Contents
- Map of Dimitrovgrad Russia
- History
- Administrative and municipal status
- Economy
- Education and culture
- Sports
- Notable residents
- Twin towns and sister cities
- References
Its population has been 122,580 (2010 Census); 130,871 (2002 Census); and 123,570 (1989 Census). It is by population the second-largest city in the Ulyanovsk Oblast, after Ulyanovsk.
History
The city was founded in 1714. It was founded as a village for workers of the local distillery, which was closed in 1848. As of 1897, its population was 8,500, and in 1919 it was granted town status. Until 1972, the city's name was Melekess (Мелекесс), after the river.
On July 15, 1972, the city's name was changed to Dimitrovgrad, celebrating the 90th birthday of the former Bulgarian communist leader, Georgi Dimitrov.
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Dimitrovgrad serves as the administrative center of Melekessky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the city of oblast significance of Dimitrovgrad—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the city of oblast significance of Dimitrovgrad is incorporated as Dimitrovgrad Urban Okrug.
Economy
The city's leading enterprise, located 6 km (4 mi) to the south-west, is the country's Federal Nuclear Research Institute. One of the institute's eight atomic reactors provides Dimitrovgrad with district heating.
Dimitrovgrad's industry also includes an auto parts manufacturer (Dimitrovgrad Automobile Parts Plant, carburetors, fuel pumps), a carpet manufacturing plant (Kovrotex), and a chemical processing equipment manufacturer (Dimitrovgradkhimmash and Zenith Khimmash).
Education and culture
The city has a variety of educational institutions. It has twenty-two secondary schools, three lyceums, one gymnasium, three branches of state universities, and two branches of private higher educational institutions. The city also has the State Scientific Center of Russian Federation, Research Institute of Atomic Reactors.
There also is a drama theater in the city.
Sports
Notable residents
Twin towns and sister cities
Dimitrovgrad is twinned with: