Kirsanov

a city in Tambov Oblast, RSFSR, on the Pursovka River at its confluence with the Vorona River. Railroad station on the Tambov-Saratov line, 95 km east of Tambov. Population, 22,000 (1970).

Kirsanov was founded in the 18th century on the site of the Krasinskii Iron Works. Peasants were settled at the factory, the first being Kirsan Zubakhin, after whom the settlement was named. In 1733 the factory was shut down and the settlement was placed under palace administration. In 1779 the village was made an administrative center of a district of the Tambov Namestnichestvo (vicegerency) and in 1796, of Tambov province.

The modern city has a sugar plant, a textile machine-building plant, an auto-repair plant, a creamery, flour-milling and poultry combines, a cannery, and a garment factory. Educational institutions include an aviation technology school, a sovkhoz-technicum, and a veterinary technicum. There is also a museum of local lore in the city.