Grozny (Russian: Гро́зный, Separatist-Chechen: Djovkhar Ghaala) is the capital of Chechnya and in 2002 had a population of 223,000 people. It lies on the Sunzha River.

Grozny was founded in 1818 as a military outpost and grew only slowly until the early twentieth century. It then became a major industrial centre and one of the Soviet Union's first oil production centres. In addition to the oil drilled in the city itself, it sits in the geographical center of Russia's network of oil fields.

The city can be divided into four districts: Leninsky, Zavodskoi, both residential areas, Staropromyslovsky the main oil drilling area, also a residential district, and Oktyabrsky the main industrial area. However, nearly all of Grozny was destroyed or seriously damaged during the Chechen Wars.

The city was also known for its modern architecture and as a spa town. It had a university and was home to FC Terek Grozny.

Grozny was captured by Russia Army forces during the First Chechen War, but guerrilla units operating from nearby mountains managed to harass and demoralize the Russian Army enough to provoke a withdrawal in 1996. The fighting resulted in many city buildings destroyed or damaged.

Grozny has been returned to Russia since the Second Chechen War began in 1999. The federal government in Chechnya is based in Grozny. Its headquarters were blown up on December 27, 2002 by Chechen rebels.

Notable people from Grozny include Lyudmila Turishcheva.

External links

• Photo Essay: A Walk Through Grozny (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/chechnya/photo.html)
• The City of Grozny (http://www.calguard.ca.gov/ia/Chechnya-Grozny/chechnya%20-%20Grozny%20history.htm)