Zone time: +2 from Moscow one.

Population: 1270 about thous.

Average temperatures: January -16, April +2, July +17,
October +1.

The distance from Ekaterinburg to Moscow: 1814 km

Ekaterinburg is the largest Siberian city and the first major stop in Asia part of Russia. It is situated in the middle of Urals (on east side of the Ural mountains) and is surrounded with forests (taiga) and small lakes. It is located on Iset River. Climate of Ural area is continental with cold and snowy winter and small and short summer.

In the 18th century Russia was seeking a way to the ocean, Peter the Great made the first Russian fleet. The construction of new factories and fortress began throughout the country. Even then, the Urals were famous for their minerals. Peter the Great sent people to the Urals to establish new factories and plants. In 1720 he sent Vasilij Tatischev, a captain of artillery to be an inspector of mine plants of the Urals. In 1721 Tatischev founded a town and built a factory. The city was named Ekaterinburg after Ekaterina, the wife of Peter the Great. In the 19th century gold, platinum and diamonds were found on the Urals. The city became world center of the jeweller's art. After the revolution of 1917 tzar Nikolai and his family were imprisoned and shot by the Bolsheviks at Ekaterinburg. In 1924 the city was renamed to Sverdlovsk after one of the communist leader Sverdlov. In 1924, after Perestroika the original name Ekaterinburg was returned to the city.

At present, Ekaterinurg is a modern city with developed infrastructure. The city has tram, trolley, bus routes and subway. Its historical architecture is wonderful. There is a large number of buildings of 18th - 19th century in classicism style. The palace with a nice park on Voznesenskaya Hill is the most famous example of this style. Many churches and chapels made the city's panorama very beautiful and picturesque.

What to see

Europe-Asia border obelisk

The high obelisk with a sign Europe on the one side and an Asia on the other is situated in 40 kilometers from Ekaterinburg. You have a unique chance to be in Europe and Asia at the same part.

Kamenniye Palatki (Stone Tents) and Shartash Lake

One of the most popular places to rest during all the year. At the first sight, these gray rocks look like the remains of an old castle, but in fact they are completely natural. The tallest rock is 12 meters (40 feet) high. According to archeologists, long time ago there was a site of an ancient men. The Shartash lake is not far from the rocks, in the middle of the forest. It is very beautiful.

Verkh-Isetski Pond

The biggest pond on Iset. It was made in 1724 when building Verkh-Isetski plant, it is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) long. It is very popular for yacht lovers or if you just want to rent a small boat.

The museum of Fine Arts

Open from 11.00 a.m. to 07.00 p.m. Closed on Monday, Tuesday.

Address of the main building: 5, Voevodin str.

Address of 2nd building: 11, Vayner str.

Ekaterinburg museum, the biggest Art museum of the Urals, was founded in 1936. It houses unique collections of Kasli cast-iron moulding, icons of 16-19th centuries. Russian Art of 18-19th centuries introduced of Tropinin, Brulov, Aivazovsky and other famous artists. There are collection of Russian Avant-garde of 1910-1920: pictures of Malevitch, Kandinsky, Mashkov, Goncharova.

Interesting museums of Ekaterinburg:

Bazhov Museum

Open from 11.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. Closed on Satuday.

Address of the main building: 11, Chapaeva str.

The Museum of Local Lore

Open from 11.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. Closed on Tuesday.

Address of the main building: 46, Malysheva str.

The Urals museum of minerals

Open from 10.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. Closed on Monday.

Address of the main building: 1, Krasnoarmeiskaya str.