Nizhniy-Novgorod(1), the capital of its oblast and the Volga Federal District of Russia(2), has 1.8 million metropolitan residents. It was founded as a Russian fortress in 1221(2). Its 13th century fortress and churches sit in the midst of a modern industrial city.
(1) Known as Gor'kiy or Gor'kij during part of the 20th century.
(2) Rossiya or Rossija in strictly transliterated Russian.
(3) There was a Mordvin settlement there before 1221.