of Taganrog Okrug, until it was transferred to the Russian SFSR along with Shakhty Okrug on 1 October 1924. During World War II, Taganrog was occupied by National Socialist Germany from 1941 to 1943 during Operation Barbarossa, when two SS divisions entered the city on 17 October 1941, followed by the Wehrmacht. The city suffered extensive damage. Under German occupation the local government system was replaced by a German-style Bürgermeisteramt (Mayor's Office), which governed the city until it was liberated by the Red Army on 30 August 1943. Administrative and municipal status Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Taganrog Urban Okrug—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, this administrative unit also has urban okrug status. Climate The climate of Taganrog is temperate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). Taganrog experiences moderately cold (mild by Russian standards) winters and hot summers. Economy Taganrog is the leading industrial center of Rostov Oblast. Local industry is represented by aerospace, machine-building, automobile, military, iron and steel industry, engineering, metal traders and processors, timber, woodwork, pulp and paper, food, light, chemical and construction materials. The city is one of the major ports of the Sea of Azov. The biggest company currently operating in Taganrog is Taganrog Iron & Steel Factory, (publicly traded company Tagmet), which manufactures steel, steel pipe, for oil and gas industry and consumer goods. The other major employer is Taganrog Auto Factory (TagAZ Ltd.), which originated from Taganrog Combine Harvester Factory. The plant manufactures automobiles licensed by Hyundai. The production line includes Hyundai Accent compact sedan, mid-size Hyundai Sonata, sport utility vehicle Santa Fe, and Hyundai Porter pickup truck. Taganrog is also home to the aircraft design bureau Beriev. The area around Taganrog has a large industrial potential, a diversified agricultural industry, production plants, and a modern infrastructure. The location of Taganrog on the intersection of traffic routes and the seaport facilitate access to the emerging CIS markets. Taganrog's main trading partners are the CIS countries, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and Egypt. Military The Taganrog air base is northwest of the city and hosts the Taganrog Aviation Museum. The city also hosts the Taganrog military museum. Higher education Taganrog College of Technologies Taganrog State Pedagogical Institute Taganrog College of Management and Economy Culture Taganrog in literature Anton Chekhov featured the city and its people in many of his works, including