VOLSK

city, Saratov oblast (province), western Russia. The city lies along the Volga River opposite its confluence with the Bolshoy (Great) Irgiz. Originating as the small settlement of Malykovka, it was made a town in 1780, first called Volgsk, later Volsk. Since the October Revolution (1917), Volsk has become one of the largest centres in Russia for cement production. Pop. (1991 est.) 65,500.