Belgorod, city in southwestern Russia, capital of Belgorod Oblast, located on the upper Donets River about 30 km (about 20 mi) north of Russia's border with Ukraine. Belgorod is a busy administrative and industrial center. Iron ore mining was once the mainstay of the city's economy, but nearby limestone deposits are now more important. Manufactures in Belgorod use the limestone as a component in construction materials, including cement and reinforced concrete. Other industries produce electric machinery, food products, and nutritional supplements. Belgorod is served by a railroad running between Kharkiv, Ukraine, and Moscow. Belgorod has several technical training institutes, including one for the food industry. Museums of regional history and painting also are located in the city.
The settlement of Belgorod was first chronicled in historical documents in the 13th century. In the late 16th century the Russian tsar established Belgorod as a military fortress, and in the 17th century it became part of a network of defense posts protecting Russia, especially Moscow, from Crimean Tatar attacks from the south. Population (1999 estimate) 336,900.
