Information on Russian cities.

Moscow.

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is one of the biggest cities in the world. It occupies the area of 1035 square kilometres.

Moscow's local time is Greenwich Mean Time plus 3, the summer time (+1) is active in Moscow from March to October. Population: about 9 million people, tourists and other city guests are not included.

Basic language: Russian

Climate: moderate. The average temperature in July and August is (20 - 25) °C; in December and January - (10 - 20)°C. The humidity is moderate and, sometimes, high. The Moscow's winters are, as a rule, cold and snowy.

Officially, the Moscow's Ring Road (MKAD) of 109 km-length is considered the border of the Russian capital. But new city districts (Mitino, Butovo, etc.) emerge beyond the Ring Road.

There are over 10 rivers in Moscow and Moscow Region. The Moskva-River is the biggest one.

The relief of Moscow's territory is a rather complicated one. The highest points of Moscow's territory are there at the South-West, 250 meters above the sea level and 130 meters above the Moskva-River.
Administratively, Moscow is segmented into 10 administration districts. The names of districts comply with their location: Central, West, North-West, etc. The districts are, then, segmented into city regions, there are 128 of them in Moscow.

The Moscow's City Duma is the main legislative body. The executive power is exercised by the Moscow's Mayor, the prefects and the sub-prefects. The municipal authorities are elected by the citizens of Moscow (vote by secret ballot).

St Petersburg

St. Petersburg is an exciting city, which has to offer more than simply the Hermitage Museum and the Kirov Ballet of the Mariinsky Theater. Officially proclaimed the "Cultural Capital of Russia" St. Petersburg is a place, where you need weeks just to see all its major landmarks.

St. Petersburg, Russia is a relatively new city, founded in 1703. When it was nine years old it became the capital of Russia and retained this status till 1918. Even now it is referred to as the "Northern capital" of Russia. Over almost 300 years of its history St. Petersburg accumulated all the grandeur of the Russian Imperial Court and became one of the largest centers of culture, science and industry. Created by Peter the Great as a sea port on the Baltic it was essentially "a window to the West" for Russia, combining the best of the West and the East.

Location: Eastern Europe, the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland)

Latitude: 59 degrees 57 North
Longitude: 30 degrees 19 East
Time Zone: GMT +3, Eastern +8
Founded: 16 (27) May, 1703
Citys birthday: celebrated each year on May 27
Population: 4 million 750 thousand (as of January 1998)

How does St. Petersburg compare? The most Northern city in the world with a population over 1 million

Area: 1400 square kilometers

Main river: Neva. The city is located in the delta of the Neva River on numerous islands, a fact which prompted some observers to call it "The City on 101 Islands"

Main natural phenomena: White Nights, Floods

Origin of the name: named in honor of St. Peter and NOT Peter the Great, the founder of the city. The name can be translated as "The City of St. Peter".

St. Petersburg, FL was named in honor of St. Petersburg, Russia by Russian-born railroad builder Piotr Dementyev (Peter Demens)

Name changes:
May, 1703 - August, 1914       St. Petersburg
August, 1914 - February, 1924 Petrograd
February, 1924 - July, 1991     Leningrad
July, 1991 - Present               St. Petersburg

Nicknames:
"The Venice of the North" (referring to St. Petersburg's many rivers and canals)
"The Palmyra of the North"
"The Northern Capital of Russia" (referring to the centuries-old rivalry between St. Petersburg and Moscow)

Symbols:
the Angel with a Cross (weather-vane on top of the Peter and Paul Cathedral)

the Little Ship - Korablik (weather-vane on top of the Admiralty tower)

The Seal: A sea anchor and a river anchor with a scepter - a symbol of royal power - on a red field.

Local government: The Governor and the Governors Office, The Legislative Assembly

Zoning: 20 administrative districts, including satellite towns under St. Petersburgs jurisdiction

Culture: has always been and was recently officially proclaimed the "Cultural Capital of Russia"

Ekaterinburg

Ekaterinburg is the third largest Russian city, administrative center of Sverdlovsk oblast and the capital of the Urals. Sverdlovsk oblast is one of the most developed and advanced regions in Russia. It is very rich in minerals and raw materials, main industry branches are heavy machinery and metallurgy. It is situated far from ethnic conflicts areas and politically stable.

Ekaterinburg can be easily found on the geographical map of the vast Euro-Asian Continent: it is in the middle of the Ural mountains, which separate Europe and Asia. Thus, Ekaterinburg lies at the crossroads of 2 continents and it determines its political, economic and cultural peculiarities.

Eekaterinburg is the capital of the Ural Federal District, which covers an area of about 2 million sq. km. The territory possesses the main oil and gas fields in Russia, and the richest deposits of iron and polymetallic ores. The world largest metallurgical enterprises are located in the Urals, concentrating here due to the great industrial and intellectual potential.

Sverdlovsk oblast (and Ekaterinburg as its main city) exports raw materials and imports foodstuff, consumer goods and machines. Business and investment climate is believed to be favorable.

Time shift: Moscow +2 hours, GMT +5 hours, EST +10 hours, Pacific Time +13 hours

Climate of Ural area is continental with cold and snowy winters and warm summers.

So, in winter you are welcome to ski and skate, and in summer v to swim (there are many lakes, rivers and ponds around Ekaterinburg), hike and mountain-climb.

Hunting has always been very popular in Russia. Here you have great opportunities to hunt, as Ekaterinburg is surrounded by forests full of different animals and birds.

Besides, Ekaterinburg and towns around it have wonderful, historical and often unique architecture which can be attractive for your eyes and interesting to compare.

Ekaterinburg offers also a wide range of museums, theatres, discos, clubs and restaurants for you to enjoy.

People is the top value of Ekaterinburg. In compare with such big cities as Moscow and St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg may be considered provincial in some ways. That influents to people, they are more traditional, more open, more friendly.

So, it doesn-t matter if you come to Ekaterinburg on business or pleasure v you will enjoy it and keep good memories!

Information on Russian cities. Geography, historical facts, people, population, climate...