Saint petersburg (Russia)
( 2003-05-27 09:57 ) (8)

History

St.Petersburg was originally inhabited by Swedes. It was conquered by Russia during the Great Northern War (1700-1721) fought between Sweden and a coalition of countries led by Russia. In 1703 Russian tsar Peter the Great chose a site on Zayachy Island in the Neva River and began the construction of the Peter and Paul Fortress, named after the two saints. Although the site was cold, damp, and poorly protected, Peter was determined to build a new capital in the Neva delta to replace Moscow, which had served as Russia's capital since the origins of the Russian state in the 1300s. Peter wanted an outlet to the Baltic Sea and intended to make St.Petersburg a modern, Western-style city that would serve as Russia's "window on Europe." Although the fortress was originally a primitive earthen structure, stone was brought in when construction of the city began. St.Petersburg was at the forefront of Russia's industrialization, which began in the late 19th century. The first steamships and the opening of the Moscow-Saint Petersburg railway line in 1851 provided the impetus for the growth of the city's industry, which by 1900 included more than 100 metallurgical factories. A new port was constructed in 1885, expanding the city's potential for international trade. During the boom of the 1890s the number of banks in St.Petersburg, including those owned by foreigners, grew rapidly.

Location

St.Petersburg is located at the mouth of the Neva River, and across the islands of its delta on the coast of the Finnish Gulf of the Baltic Sea. Its nearest suburbs are situated on the lowland adjacent to the Neva River, and along the Gulf. In spite of the general lowland nature of the site, the relief of the suburbs shows diversity. Izhora eminence is to the South of the city, and hilly Karelia Isthmus with Vuoksa lake land is located to the North.

The city is situated on 60oof the northern latitude that passes roughly across the South of Alaska and Greenland. Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki can boast of being at the same latitude. Warm Gulfstreem seriously influences all these cities. There are no large cities at this latitude, as well as the latitudes close to it in the Western Hemisphere. Pulkovo Meridian (31oeastern longitude) passes through St.Petersburg as well as through Istanbul, but non of these cities can be compared to St.Petersburg in climate or nature.

Climate

St.Petersburg is characterized by an intermediate (from nautical to continental) climate. It is quite mild and humid with frequent fogs and rains. There can be quite dry and hot periods in summer time, when the temperature goes up to +25oC - +30oC, but they last for a week maximum. Precipitation is not too plentiful, being 550 - 600 mm per annum. August is the rainiest month. High humidity is the result of the lack of sunny days. The average July temperature is + 17.8oC.

The weather conditions of the city are much different from what you can see in the most North European cities.

Territory

As of 1993 the territory of the city is 606 square kilometers, and 1,439 square kilometers with the suburbs. The length of the city from North to South is 44 kilometers, and 25 kilometers from West to East.

Population

4,600,000 (2002 estimate)

St.Petersburg and Shanghai of China became twin cities in 1988.