Balashov (Russian: Балашо́в) is a town in Saratov Oblast, Russia, located on the Khopyor River. Population: 82,227 (2010 census); 98,330 (2002 census); 97,047 (1989 Soviet census). It was previously known as Balashovo (until 1780).
History
It has been known as the selo of Balashovo (Балашово) since the end of the 18th century. In 1780, it was granted town status and became known as Balashov.
Between 1954 and 1957, it was the capital of the Balashov Oblast of Russian SFSR.
In 1966, the A. A. Leonov School of Young Cosmonauts (школа юных космонавтов имени А. А. Леонова) was opened here. Future pilots were trained in this school, and its pupils learned to fly an airplane
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Balashov serves as the administrative center of Balashovsky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as Balashov Town Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Balashov Town Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated within Balashovsky Municipal District as Balashov Urban Settlement.
Military
It was home to the Balashov air base.
Geography
The town is located on the Khopyor River.
Climate
Balashov has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with long cold winters and warm, often hot summers.
Notable people
- Yuri Garnaev, test-pilot
- Anatoly Vlasov, theoretical physicist prominent in the fields of statistical mechanics, kinetics, and especially in plasma physics.