Izhevsk travel guide

Izhevsk (Иже́вск, i'ʐɛfsk; Иж), from 1985 to 1987-Ustinov (Усти́нов), after Dmitry Ustinov, is the capital city of the Udmurt Republic, Russia, located on the Izh River in the Western Urals area. It is served by Izhevsk Airport.
Formerly an engineering town, it was established as a place where all manner of metalworking was done, especially the manufacture of machinery and arms. Izhevsk is the site of one of the most famous arsenals in Russia, at which Mikhail Kalashnikov designed his famous AK-47 assault rifle. As of 2006, Kalashnikov still lives in Izhevsk. There are also automobile and motorcycle production plants - the vehicles bear the brandname IZH (ИЖ). The city is also the birthplace of current NBA player Andrei Kirilenko, who, incidentally, bears the nickname "AK-47" (from his initials and uniform number with the Utah Jazz).
During Soviet times Izhevsk was a closed city, with restricted access for foreign people, due to the large amount of military manufacturing that was done there.
In 2006, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez visited Izhevsk to tour the Izhmash manufacturing center where many modern armaments and other goods are still produced. During this visit he announced his government's intention to purchase a large number of Izhevsk-produced rifles. (...) more....