Saratov was founded in 1590 as a fortress to protect the Volga rout from the raids of the tribes of nomads. Since the 17th century it has become a staging point for water and land routs also as a fish and salt trading center. Saratov is a large river port and a road junction, situated on the right bank of the Volga river. The population of the city is 904 thousand people. |
