Chelyabinsk

Chelyabinsk is a city and the administrative center of Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia. It lies in the Southern Ural region on the Miass River, near the southern end of the Ural Mountains. The city has a population of about 1.2 million and is one of the largest urban centers in the Ural Federal District.

Chelyabinsk began as an industrial settlement in the 18th century and grew into a major metallurgical and engineering hub in the Soviet era. Its economy has long depended on heavy industry, metalworking, machinery, and chemical production, with services and education expanding in recent decades.

In 2013, Chelyabinsk was the site of a meteor airburst that injured about 1,500 people and caused extensive property damage. There were no direct fatalities, and the event drew global scientific attention to near-Earth objects and atmospheric physics.

The city is home to several higher education institutions, including South Ural State University and Chelyabinsk State University, along with theaters, museums, and a regional philharmonic orchestra. Cultural institutions support a year-round program of performances, exhibitions, and public events.

Chelyabinsk is a major rail hub and has an international airport, with road and rail connections linking it to cities across Russia and the broader region. Its ongoing role as an industrial, educational, and cultural center makes it a key urban center in the Ural area.