Krasnodar (Russian, Краснодар) is a city in Southern Russia on the Kuban River, and is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai (Krasnodar region, also known as Kuban, Russian Кубань). Geographical location Population (census 2004): 653,300.

Founded in 1793 as Yekaterinodar or Ekaterinodar (Екатеринодар). The original name meant "Catherine's Gift" either in recognition of Catherine the Great's grant of land in the Kuban region to the Black Sea Cossacks or in recognition of Saint Catherine, the Martyr, who is considered to be the patron of the city. After the Russian Revolution, Yekaterinodar was renamed Krasnodar (Krasno-, Russian 'red')(December, 1920).