Tambov

Tambov is a city in Russia, the administrative centre of Tambov Oblast. It is located at the confluence of the Tsna and Studenets Rivers 480 km southeast of Moscow. The name "Tambov" originates from a Moksha language word meaning wetland. Originally built as a border fortress against Crimean Tatars, Tambov soon declined in importance as military outpost of Muscovy and became an administrative and trade centre of largely rural Russian Empire region. Today Tambov is a large Russian industrial and cultural centre. The Tambov Art Gallery houses a vast collection of canvases by Russian and West-European artists. Russia's oldest drama theatre is located in Tambov.