Smolensk (population 350,000) is a city in western Russia, located on the Dniepr river at 54.79° North, 32.05° East (The World Gazetteer). Its population in 2003 is 351,100 (TWG). The name of the city is derived from the Russian word smola that means raisin. Pine trees grow in the area, and city was once center of raisin trade.