The second largest city in Russia after Moscow, Saint Petersburg is also the country's largest seaport. It served as the capital of Russia for 200 years. Saint Petersburg lies on the mouth of the Neva River at the head of the Baltic Sea. The city is spread over a mainland section and many small islands. In late June, it stays light outside almost all night in Saint Petersburg. This period, called “white nights,” occurs because the city is located in the far north, near the Arctic Circle. There are festivals in Saint Petersburg during this time to celebrate this phenomenon. Places of interestIn the early 18th century the Russian czar, or ruler, Peter the Great brought in architects and craftspeople from all over Europe to create an impressive capital city. Many of Saint Petersburg's buildings from this time have been preserved, and in 1990 the historic central district was designated a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). One of the most well-known sites in Saint Petersburg is the city's oldest building, the Peter and Paul Fortress. The fortress, which is located on Zayachy Island, was built in 1703. Inside is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, where almost all the Russian czars, including Peter the Great, are buried. Across the Neva River from the fortress is the Winter Palace, which was home of the czars from 1762 until 1917. The palace is now part of the State Hermitage Museum. Saint Isaac's Cathedral is another famous landmark in Saint Petersburg. The cathedral, built over a period of more than 40 years (from 1818 to 1858), is a gold-domed building with beautiful marble and mosaics inside. The Summer Garden is the oldest park in Saint Petersburg. In addition to many fountains, the park also contains the Summer Palace, built in about 1710. The most famous of the city's grand boulevards is Nevsky Prospect. This street is lined with shops, historic buildings, palaces, and restaurants, and is brilliantly lit up at night. CultureSaint Petersburg is one of the great cultural centers of Europe. In 1738 the first ballet school in Russia was opened in Saint Petersburg. Ballet continues to be an important cultural attraction in the city, where it is performed at such places as the Kirov Theater of Opera and Ballet. Plays can be seen at the Academic Bolshoi Dramatic Theater. The world-famous Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the oldest symphony in Russia, also performs in the city. There are many educational and scientific sites in Saint Petersburg as well. The city is home to the Saint Petersburg State University and the Saint Petersburg State Theater Arts Academy. Saint Petersburg's Russian Academy of Sciences, founded by Peter the Great in 1724, is the largest center for scientific research in Russia. EconomyBecause Saint Petersburg is the biggest port in Russia, the city is an important center of industry and trade. Products produced include nuclear reactors, electrical and power machinery, electronic goods, chemicals, clothes, and shoes. Other important industries are printing, shipbuilding, and the production of consumer goods such as food products. In addition, tourism is a growing part of Saint Petersburg's economy. HistoryRussians started settling the area near what is now Saint Petersburg in the 8th or 9th century AD. Sweden captured the area in the 17th century and built fortresses along the Neva River. At the beginning of the 18th century, Peter the Great took over these Swedish fortresses and controlled the area. In 1703 Peter laid the foundation stones for the Peter and Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island, and in 1712 the capital of Russia was moved from Moscow to Saint Petersburg. The city soon started to grow rapidly as much of Russia's foreign trade passed through the city. RevolutionBy the mid-19th century there were many factories in the city, as well as many poor workers. Extreme overcrowding and dirty conditions in the city caused outbreaks of serious diseases. Revolutionaries began to encourage workers to protest these conditions. In 1905 royal soldiers shot and killed workers who were demonstrating outside the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The day became known as Bloody Sunday. As a result of the incident, others began to plan for a revolution. In 1914, at the beginning of World War I, the city's name was changed to the more Russian-sounding Petrograd. Because of military losses in the war, shortages of food, and a worsening economy, people became even more unhappy with the government of the czars. This unhappiness led to the events of the Russian Revolution. As a result of the revolution, the czar was forced to give up power. In March 1918 the capital was moved back to Moscow. In 1922 the country's new leaders created the Communist state of the Soviet Union. After the death of Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the revolution, in 1924, Petrograd was given a new name—Leningrad. World War IIThe people of Leningrad had another difficult time during World War II (1939–45). From 1941 until 1944, German soldiers surrounded the city. More than half a million people in Leningrad died from bombings, starvation, and disease. The exceptionally bitter winter of 1941–42 added to their suffering. Recent historyAfter the war, Leningrad was rebuilt. In the late 1980s, major changes in the city's political life began when the government of the Soviet Union introduced reforms that encouraged democracy and openness. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian government changed the city's name back to Saint Petersburg. At the beginning of the 21st century, Saint Petersburg was being restored in honor of the city's 300th anniversary in 2003. Population (2000 estimate), 4,694,000. |