Chelnys

Chelnys commonly refers to Naberezhnye Chelny, a city in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. It lies on the left bank of the Kama River, opposite the historic town of Yelabuga, and is part of the Volga Federal District. The city is the second-largest in Tatarstan after Kazan. The name Chelny reflects the city’s riverine location along the Kama’s quays and its historical role as a port on the river.

The economy is centered on the Kamaz heavy-vehicle plant, one of Russia’s largest truck manufacturers. Kamaz, established in the Soviet era, has driven the city’s growth and employment, with downstream engineering, assembly, and services forming a regional industrial cluster. Other sectors include manufacturing, construction, and food processing, as well as transport and logistics.

Chelnys developed as a planned urban center in the latter half of the 20th century to house Kamaz workers and their families. It features residential districts, cultural institutions, educational facilities, and public spaces characteristic of Soviet-era planning. The population is diverse, with Russian and Tatar communities and a mix of religious traditions, including Russian Orthodoxy and Islam.

Transport links include road and rail connections that connect Naberezhnye Chelny to Kazan and other regional centers, along with bridges and other river crossings over the Kama. The city hosts museums, theaters, and sports facilities that serve its substantial urban population.