Kirov, formerly Vyatka, city, Russia, a port and railroad center on the Vyatka River. It is the capital of Kirov Oblast. Manufactures include forest products, fabricated metal, machinery, and processed food. The city was founded (late 12th century) as Khylnov by traders from Novgorod. It was annexed by Moscow in 1489 and grew as a trade center. In 1780 the city was renamed Kirov; its present name was adopted in 1934 in honor of the Soviet leader S. M. Kirov. Population (1999 estimate) 465,600.
