Volgograd ), formerly Tsaritsyn , 1589–1925, and Stalingrad , 1925–1961, is an industrial city and the administrative center of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. The city lies on the western bank of the Volga River. Volgograd was one of the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Soviets' Battle of Stalingrad against invading German and its allied forces in World War II was one of the largest and bloodiest battles in the history of warfare. Known locally as the "Hero City", Volgograd today is the site of The Motherland Calls, an 85-meter high statue dedicated to the heroes of the battle. The city has many tourist attractions, such as museums, sandy beaches, and a self-propelled floating church. Its population was 1,021,215 at the 2010 Census, growing from 1,011,417 in the 2002 Census.
