Orenburg

Orenburg, formerly known as Chkalov (1938–1957), is the administrative center of Orenburg Oblast, Russia. It lies on the banks of the Ural River and is southeast of Moscow. Orenburg is also very close to the border with Kazakhstan. Name Several historians have tried to explain the origins of the city's name. It was traditionally accepted that the word "orenburg" means a fortress on the River Or. In all probability, the word combination "orenburg" was proposed by , the founder of the city. In 1734, in accordance with his project, a package of governmental documents was worked out. This was the starting point for Orenburg as a fortress city near the meeting of the Or and Ural rivers.