Saint Petersburg Introduction

City Introduction

(Image source: www.visit-petersburg.ru)

Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city after Moscow, with five million inhabitants, and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea. It is politically incorporated as a federal subject (a federal city). Situated on the Neva River, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, it was founded by Tsar Peter the Great on May, 27, 1703. In 1914, the name was changed from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd, in 1924 to Leningrad, and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg. Between 1713–1728 and 1732–1918, Saint Petersburg was the imperial capital of Russia. In 1918, the central government bodies moved to Moscow.

Saint Petersburg is the most Westernized city of Russia, as well as its cultural capital. The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saint Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world. A large number of foreign consulates, international corporations, banks, and businesses have offices in Saint Petersburg.

Holidays:

New Year's Day January 1, 2

Christmas Day January 7

Defenders of the Fatherland Day February 23

International Women's Day March 8

Labor Day/May Day May 1, 2

Victory Day May 9

Independence Day June 12

Day of Accord and Reconciliation

(Formerly Day of the Great October Revolution) November 7

Constitution Day 12 December