Smolensk, Smolensk center field, 419 km west of Moscow. Located on the banks ofthe upper river. Dnepr (pier), and between Duhovschinskoy Krasninskoe-SmolenskUpland. The climate is temperate continental. Winter is moderately mild, the average January temperature of about -9 ° C. Summers are moderately warm, and the average July temperature is about 18 ° C. 600 mm of precipitation per year, maximum - in July. Node railway lines (to Moscow, Bryansk, Minsk, Vitebsk and Polotsk) and roads (Moscow - Minsk, Orel - Riga) of nationalIMPORTANCE. The airport.The population of 351.6 thousand people (1992, 46.7 thousand in 1897, 79 thousandin 1926, 157 thousand in 1939, 160 thousand in 1959, 231 thousand in 1970, 299 thousand in 1979). Smolensk - one of the most ancient cities of Russia. The firstdated mention of it occurs in Ustyug (Arhangelogorodskom) Chronicles at 862-865.Originating in the ancient trade route "from Varangians to Greeks\\