Kozmodemyansk, Mari El Republic

Kozmodemyansk (English) Козьмодемьянск (Russian) Цикмӓ (Hill Mari) Чыкма (Meadow Mari) Чикме (Chuvash)
-  Town  -
Location of the Mari El Republic in Russia
Kozmodemyansk Location of Kozmodemyansk in the Mari El Republic
Coordinates: 56°20′12″N 46°34′16″E / 56.33667°N 46.57111°E / 56.33667; 46.57111Coordinates: 56°20′12″N 46°34′16″E / 56.33667°N 46.57111°E / 56.33667; 46.57111
Coat of arms	Flag
Administrative status (as of December 2013)
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Mari El Republic
Administratively subordinated to	town of republic significance of Kozmodemyansk
Administrative center of	town of republic significance of Kozmodemyansk,Gornomariysky District
Municipal status (as of December 2013)
Urban okrug	Kozmodemyansk Urban Okrug
Administrative center of	Kozmodemyansk Urban Okrug
Statistics
Population (2010 Census)	21,257 inhabitants
Time zone	MSK (UTC+03:00)
Founded	1583
Postal code(s)	425350, 425352–425355
Official website
on

Kozmodemyansk (Russian: Козьмодемья́нск; Hill Mari: Цикмӓ, Сikmä; Meadow Mari: Чыкма, Čõkma) is a town in the Mari El Republic, Russia, located at the confluence of the Vetluga and the Volga Rivers. Population: 21,257 (2010 Census);22,771 (2002 Census);24,746 (1989 Census).

Though not attested in any document, the town of Kozmodemyansk was likely preceded by a Mari wooden fortress controlling the confluence of the Volga and the Vetluga Rivers. It was also an important resting and trading place for traders from the North who traveled along the river to Volga Bulgaria. The Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria was a serious blow to the region.

Kozmodemyansk was founded by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in 1583 after his conquest of Kazan in 1552 and the Cheremis Wars in 1553-1557, 1582, and 1592 as a frontier fortress to guard the new border of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. The fortress was named after Sts. Cosmas and Damian. For many years the streltsy fortress was the only building in the area.

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