Astrakhan, AS truh kan (pop. 504,501), is a city in southwestern Russia, on the Volga River Delta. Astrakhan extends over several islands in the Volga River Delta. It is an important trading center because of its good water connections with the ports on the Caspian Sea and the river ports of the Volga. Fishing is one of its main industries. Caviar is a chief product of Astrakhan. Like Moscow, Astrakhan is dominated by an old fortress called a kremlin.