Saint Petersburg

            Saint Petersburg is a very young city compared to old European capitals and, probably, the only city in the world that has acquired so much historic significance in such a short time. It was founded in 1703 as an outlet to the sea, which was very important for Russia's future development from both strategic and economical points of view. Saint Petersburg was considered to be "a key for paradise" for the Russian Empire, so the city's name is very symbolic: it was called in honor of Saint Peter, who, as we know from the Holy Bible, was a keeper of the keys from the paradise. Saint Petersburg today is one of the most important cultural, scientific and industrial cities in Russia, housing several hundred of museums and exhibition halls. Great Russian and foreign artists, poets, writers and composers admired the beauty of Saint Petersburg and commemorated it in their works. There are few other cities that can offer so many stunning attractions and intriguing moods as St. Petersburg ? the City of Tsars. St. Petersburg is in easy reach of the capitals of Europe and Scandinavia and it offers luxury accommodation, expert destination management companies and very good travel services.
Facts about St.Petersburg
Area: 606 sq km
Location: Located at the mouth of the Neva River and across the islands of its delta on the coast of the Finnish Gulf.
Geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 30 25 E
Population: approx 4,600,000 (2005 est.)
Foundation: May 1703, by Peter the Great
Climate: The climate is intermediate (from nautical to continental). The average temperature in July is +18 C, in February -8 C.
UTC/GMT Offset: UTC/GMT + 3 hours
Area code: 812
Major attractions: Hermitage, Winter Palace, St Isaac Cathedral, Savior on the Blood, Alexander Nevsky Lavra.