Balakovo, city in southwestern Russia, in Saratov Oblast (Region). Balakovo is located along the Volga and the Saratov Reservoir, about 1000 km (about 600 mi) southeast from Moscow. Its economic significance centers on energy production at the Saratov hydroelectric station, opened in 1967, and the Balakovo nuclear energy site. A construction boom in the 1970s added a plant that manufactured parts for chemical enterprises and other businesses, a rubber manufacturing plant, and a ship-repair center. In addition, the city is a regional center for the chemical and machine-building industries. One chemical factory accounted for more than 30 percent of the city's total employment in 1991. Balakovo has a museum commemorating the home of Vasilii Ivanovich Chapaev, a Russian Civil War (1918-1921) hero, who lived in the city from 1897 to 1913. The city was founded in 1762. Population (1995) 234,357.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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