Volgodonsk was founded in 1950[2] as a small settlement for the Tsimlyanskhydroelectric dam maintenance personnel. It grew in size due to the construction of theVolga–Don Canal.
On September 16, 1999, a powerfultruck bomb exploded outside an apartment building, killing 17 people and injuring a further 69. It was the fourth explosion in a series ofapartment bombings in Russia that killed more than 300 people.
Volgodonsk is one of the economic leaders of Rostov Oblast. The economy of the city is centered around the nuclear industry. It is home to theAtommash factory, which manufactures nuclear reactors and related heavy machinery. The plant mainly buildsRosatom'sVVER typepressurized water reactors both for domestic use and export. Four such reactors (VVER-1000 model) generated about 26 600 GWh of electricity at theRostov nuclear power plant, located just 18 km from the city center. Atommash, the power plant, along with the two thermal power stations, are the city's main employers.
The city is a regional transport hub on the Volga–Don Canal. A railway and M4 highway pass nearby. Bus routes were launched in 1954. There are presently thirty bus routes. Trolleybuses have been running since 1977. There are currently six trolleybus routes in the city. Volgodonsk port has a strategic importance as access to major ports of different countries.
Volgodonsk is one of the major cultural centers of Rostov Oblast. There are six art schools, two museums, seventeen historical and cultural sites, and three buildings recognized as architectural monuments of regional importance (Cossacks,Peaceful Atom). TheCathedral of the Nativity is also situated in Volgodonsk.
Законодательное Собрание Ростовской области. Закон №340-ЗС от 25 июля 2005 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Ростовской области», в ред. Закона №270-ЗС от 27 ноября 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в областной Закон "Об административно-территориальном устройстве Ростовской области"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Наше время", №187–190, 28 июля 2005 г. (Legislative Assembly of Rostov Oblast. Law #340-ZS of July 28, 2005On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Rostov Oblast, as amended by the Law #270-ZS of November 27, 2014On Amending the Oblast Law "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Rostov Oblast". Effective as of the official publication date.).
Законодательное Собрание Ростовской области. Закон №186-ЗС от 9 ноября 2004 г. «Об установлении границы и наделении статусом городского округа муниципального образования "Город Волгодонск"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Наше время", №275, 10 ноября 2004 г. (Legislative Assembly of Rostov Oblast. Law #186-ZS of November 9, 2004On Establishing the Border and Granting Urban Okrug Status to the Municipal Formation of the "City of Volgodonsk". Effective as of the official publication date.).
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