Welcome to Primorsky kray. Russian Far East.
RUSSIAN FAR EAST
PRIMORSKY KRAY
WELCOME TO VLADIVOSTOK
The morning of Russia. It begins at the shores of the Pacific Ocean, where mighty
waves meet the Ussury taiga, where the sea romance covers our city with a
special veil. It begins in Vladivostok.
Vladivostok ("Ruler of the East" from the Russian words vladet and
vostok) is the capital and the largest city of Primorye. With a population of
660,000 people and a total area of over 600 sq.km (230 sq. miles), it is also
the largest city of the Russian Far East and, of course, one of the most
interesting and remarkable cities of Russia. Vladivostok is among the ten most
prospective cities of the world, as determined by the special UNESCO Commission.
Of all the European-style cities it is the closest to the Asian Pacific region.
On June 20 (July 2), 1860 the military supply ship Manchur called at the Golden
Horn Bay to found an outpost of Vladivostok ("possess the East"). In
1862 it officially became a port. On April 28 (May 10), 1880 Vladivostok was
officially proclaimed a city and in 1889 - a fortress. The construction of the
Trans-Siberian Railroad that began in 1891 served as a jump-start for the rapid
growth of the city.
An integral part of Vladivostok is its port, a whole city on water. When dusk
falls the port's ships, moorings and cranes are ablaze with myriad of lights.
When large factory ships return after long voyages, they hear the music of there
home port. But Vladivostok is not only the eastern sea gateway of Russia. Here
begins the Trans-Siberian Railway, the longest in the world. The city is also an
important air crossroad. 9,288 kilometers lie between Vladivostok and Moscow. It
takes 6 days by train or 9 hours by plane to cover this distance.
Being the home base of the Pacific Military Fleet, Vladivostok was closed to
foreigners from 1930 till the 1990's. The only exception was made for US
President Gerald Ford who met the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in Vladivostok
in 1974. In 1992, for the first time, Vladivostok was officially opened to
travelers from other countries.
Today Vladivostok is of great significance for the economic development of
the Primorye. The citizens are engaged in fishery, ship-repair, woodworking,
light and building industries. They produce porcelain, metal-working tools. The
activities of many citizens are connected with sea transport. A large part of
Russian merchant marine is concentrated here. When we say
"Vladivostok", we also mean heat power engineering, radio-electronics,
railway transport, higher educational institutions, science…
The cultural tapestry of Vladivostok is as diverse as its economic
activities. The city is a melting pot where Eastern and Western influences
converge, resulting in a unique cultural milieu. Festivals and events attract
visitors from all corners of the globe, transforming Vladivostok into a bustling
hub of music, art, and cultural exchange. The city's theaters, museums, and
galleries reflect its rich heritage, offering a blend of the traditional and the
contemporary. The Arsenyev Regional History Museum, for example, provides
insights into the local history, while the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky
Theatre brings world-class performances to the Far East.
Education thrives in Vladivostok, home to numerous prestigious institutions.
Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) stands out as a beacon of learning,
attracting students not only from across Russia but from various Asian
countries, enhancing the city’s cosmopolitan appeal. Scientific research is
closely tied to the university and other institutions, focusing on marine
biology, seismology, and energy. This commitment to education and innovation is
emblematic of Vladivostok's role as a pioneer in bridging academic and cultural
exchanges between continents.
Urban development in Vladivostok is an ongoing narrative of growth and
modernization. Skyscrapers and revamped infrastructure speak to a city embracing
its future while maintaining its historical essence. The iconic Russky Bridge,
one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world, stands as a testament to
engineering prowess and serves as a symbol of the connectivity that Vladivostok
represents. Despite its pace of development, the city retains pockets of
tranquility, with lush green spaces and coastal vistas providing respite from
the urban rush. Here, the heartbeat of Vladivostok resonates with a rhythm that
is distinctly its own, harmonizing with the whisper of the Pacific waves.
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