Volgograd, formerly called Tsaritsyn (1589–1925) and Stalingrad (1925–1961) is an important industrial city and the administrative center of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. It is 80 kilometres (50 mi) long, north to south, situated on the western bank of the Volga River and has a population of 1.011 million people. The city was made famous for its resistance and extensive damage during the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.