About Samara

Samara (formerly (1935-91) Kuybyshev), is a city and administrative centre of Samara province, western Russia. It lies along the Volga River at the latter's confluence with the Samara River. Founded in 1586 as a fortress protecting the Volga trade route, it soon became a major focus of trade and later was made a provincial seat. In 1935 the city was renamed after Valerian Vladimirovich Kuybyshev (1888-1935), a prominent Bolshevik. During World War II the central government of the USSR was transferred to Kuybyshev (1941-43) from Moscow. As a result, the population increased tremendously, and the city limits were greatly expanded. The city was named Kuybyshev from 1935 to 1991.