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Akhtubinsk is the administrative center of the Akhtubinsk area, the largest in the Astrakhan region. The region, with its plain semi-desert landscape stretches along the left bank of the Volga, from which the sleeves are separated: Akhtuba, Vladimirovka, Kalmynka and others.

The status of the city as well as its current name, Akhtubinsk got in 1959, when the village Vladimirovka, being a regional center was combined with settlements Akhtuba and Petropavlovka. A year later the State Flight Test Center named after Chkalov (GLIZ), a well-known all over the country, was built there. Today it is not the only city-forming enterprise, but it is also one of the main attractions of the city. Thanks to it Ahtubinsk even called aviation capital of Russia.

On the banks of the Akhtuba once nomadic tribes lived that came from the depths of Asia: the Scythians, Sarmatians, Pechenegs, Khazars, Cumans, Tatar-Mongolians and the Kalmyks. Left bank of Akhtuba was the center of a powerful Tatar-Mongol state - the Golden Horde. At the site of the village Selitrennoye of Vladimirovskaya region there was the capital city of Sarai. A tribute from the conquered territories was delivered here, and many Russian knyazs came to pay homage to the khans, including Alexander Nevsky and Dmitry Donskoy.

However, during those days Akhtuba was called Saray or Saray river. Saray is a Turkic word meaning "yellow", "yellowish". Resettlement village of Vladimirovka was founded in the late XVIII century. It is known that already in 1793 a church dedicated to Our Lady of Vladimir existed there. In honor of her the new settlement got the name. The inhabitants were engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as salt mining. The salt was delivered from the lake Baskunchak and loaded to the ships moving along the Volga down to Astrakhan, or upwards to Tsaritsyn and Saratov. The author of "The Three Musketeers" Alexander Dumas visited here during his trip to Russia to see the wonder of nature - salt lake Baskunchak.

History

Thanks to the picturesque nature of the Lower Volga region, hot summer and excellent fishing Ahtubinsk has long been a favorite destination for tourists from all over Russia. First and foremost, because it is the place from were you can quickly get to the salt lake of Baskunchak.

In August, local delicious watermelons are ripen and crayfish fishing season begins. In order not to spoil the holidays by the conflict with the Inspectorate of Fisheries, you should be  familiar with the fishing regulations. Moreover do not forget about the means of fish cooking (salting and canning). It is necessary to have a reserve of salt and bottles, and a small autoclave will be also required. It is necessary to bring a repellent. During the thaw in spring and autumn season difficulties with movement can be arisen so you need a car with good maneuverability. Large annual and daily fluctuations in temperature, low rainfall and abundance of sunny days are usual for this area.

In July, there are dry winds. The period without frost lasts from late April to early October. The coldest month of the year is January and the hottest month is July. The best time to visit Akhtubinsk and outdoor recreation is May, July, August and September. June is not a good month to come here, because at this time midge appears in the Astrakhan region (last week of May - end of June). For families the most favorable period is August and September, when the night is not so tormented by the heat and the mosquitoes, and durnig the day you can sunbathe and swim. In addition, in August, Astrakhan delicious melons and watermelons appear  on the markets, and from September 1, crayfish fishing season begins.