Izhevsk is the capital city of the Udmurt Republic, Russia, located along the Izh River in the Western Urals. Its population is 629,455 (2012 est.), up from 627,734 recorded in the 2010 Census, making it the nineteenth largest city in Russia and the largest in the republic. From 1984 to 1987, the city was called Ustinov. The city is a major hub of industry, commerce, politics, culture, and education in the Volga Region. It is famous for its defense, engineering, and metallurgy industries.