Astrakhan', city, southern European Russia, capital of Astrakhan' Oblast, on the Volga River, near the Caspian Sea. The city is a major port, although icebound for about four months of the year, and it is an important transshipment point for petroleum produced around Baku. Manufacturing industries produce ships, processed fish, footwear, and fur goods. Astrakhan' contains a kremlin (citadel) dating from the 1580s, a cathedral (early 18th century), and a university. The city probably was settled under the Mongol dynasties of the 13th century. In 1556 Ivan IV conquered Astrakhan', thus opening the entire Volga River to Russian traffic, and it became an important trade center. It served (1722-23) as a base for Peter I's campaign against Persia. Population (1999 estimate) 483,700.
