The Capital of the Urals
Ekaterinburg is one of the largest and most dynamic cities in Russia. It is situated in the Urals on the border of Europe and Asia and has all the best traditions of European and Asian cultures.
Its population is about 1.5 mln people. Ekaterinburg was founded in 1723 by order of Peter the Great and under direct supervision of two statesmen: V.N Tatischev, a Russian historian and geographer, and V.I de Gennin, the best metallurgical engineer in Russia in the 18 century. Our region was chosen because of its natural resources.
The official date of the city’s foundation is November 18, 1723. It got town status in 1796. Between 1924 and 1991 the city was known as Sverdlovsk, after the Bolshevik party leader Yakov Sverdlov.
Today Ekaterinburg is a real megapolis similar to Western ones. It is a large industrial, scientific and cultural center of Russia and the Urals.
The main industries are machinery, metal processing and ferrous and non-ferrous metals. There are lots of industrial enterprises, firms and joint stock companies. The city ranks third in the scientific sphere. Thousands of students study at its universities, academies and colleges. The biggest and most famous universities are Ural Federal University (on base of Ural State University and Ural State Technical University), Ural State Pedagogical University, Ural State University of Economics, etc.
Ekaterinburg is famous for its theatres, among which are some very popular theatre companies: Opera and Ballet House, Musical Comedy Theatre, Drama Theatre, Kolyada Theatre, etc. The Ural Philharmonic Orchestra is also very popular in Russia and in Europe. There are more than 30 museums and art galleries in the city.
In the 21 century Ekaterinburg is becoming one of the most attractive and comfortable cities in Russia and it is enhancing its role as the economic, commercial, cultural and scientific capital of the region. Modern Ekaterinburg is the city of wide streets, big shops, hotels, fine parks and squares. The citizens of Ekaterinburg are proud of their native city.