Astrakhan (Russian: А́страхань; Tatar: Ästerxan; from an Ol Turkic-Hun word: As-Tarkhan Persian: حاجیترخان Haji-Tarkhan) is a major city in southern European Russia and the administrative center of Astrakhan Oblast. The city lies on the Volga River, close to where it discharges into the Caspian Sea. Population: 502,800 (2004 est.); 504,501 (2002 Census); 509,210 (1989 Census).