THE BASICS:
City Population: 1,250,000
Major Industries: Machine building (harvesters, helicopters, refrigerators, cultivators). Shipping and Transport. Agriculture. Coal mining. Food. Light industry. Chemical production.
The first settlers of the Don river steppe country were called Cossacks.
They were serfs who had escaped from Moscow in the 16th century.
By Russian standards, Rostov is a relatively young city. It was founded first as a customs house on the high, west bank of the Don River in 1749. Twelve years later, in 1761, the daughter of Peter the Great, Empress Elizabeth, ordered the construction of a fortress at the place which is now Kirov Square. The fortress was one of the main military bases of the Russian Army on the Azov coast during the Russian-Turkish War. The famous Russian General Suvorov visited the fortress in 1788. In honour of this visit one of the streets of Rostov is called Suvorov Street. A city grew up around the fort and it was named after the Russian Saint, Dmitri Rostovsky. In 1806 Emperor Alexander added - on-Don to the city`s name to distinguish it from the smaller, Golden Ring city of Rostov the Great in the Yaroslavl region.
Rostov developed rapidly in the 19th century. It became the leading centre of trade and transport in the south of Russia. Rostov is linked by waterways to five seas. Rostov has, at various times, earned nicknames such as The Chicago of Russia because of its rapid economic growth, The Liverpool of Russia because of its extensive port activities and The Third Russian Metropolis after Moscow and St. Petersburg.
During World War II Rostov was twice occupied by the Nazis and most of the city was destroyed. Soon afterward, however, the inhabitants rebuilt the city and reestablished its position as the leading city for trade and business in the South of Russia.
Rostov is a major transportation hub. It is called the Gateway to the Caucasus. Rostov-on-Don is a railway junction and major river port.
Rostov-on-Don`s advantageous geographical location - with direct sea access, and a network of navigable rivers and canals makes Rostov the central connection between the European part of Russia and the Caucasus. This, combined with the spirit of free enterprise, creates a special economic climate which strongly supports the development of business. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has set up its headquarters in Rostov. There are 12 TACIS projects in the city, as well as the British Know-How fund, Opportunity International, the International Executive Service Corps, World Bank Loans and The United States Peace Corps.
Rostov is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Russia. It is a city of science and students. There are many educational establishments here including: Rostov State University, the Medical University, Pedagogical University, the Don State Technical University, and the Academy of National Economy. Rostov State University is among the top ten institutes of higher education in Russia.
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Rostov-on-Don has many theatres, cinemas, museums, stadiums and hotels. The centre of Rostov, where most business occurs, is easily learned. The main street, Bolshaya Sadovaya, runs parallel to the River Don and is crowded with stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. New retail stores are opening faster than one can keep track of. Nike, Addidas, Levis, Barbi, Lego, Reebok, Sony, Phillips and Global USA are just some of the stores you`ll recognize as you walk the streets of Rostov. Bolshaya Sadovaya leads to Theatre Square, where demonstrations and festivals take place on holidays. The Maxim Gorki Drama Theatre, a building of unique design, shaped to resemble a tractor, was erected on this square in 1936. Destroyed during the war, the theatre took a very long time to restore. It was reopened in March 1963. Besides the Drama Theatre, guests of Rostov may visit the Musical Comedy Theatre, the Philharmonic Society, the Theatre of Young Spectators, the Puppet Show Theatre and the Circus. The city`s museums display interesting exhibits and collections. The Museum of Fine Arts on Pushkin Street has oil paintings by the well-known battle painter, Vereshchagin, and pictures by Aivazovsky, Shishkin, Levitan, Perov, Repin and others. It is open to all who wish to get acquainted with these Russian masters. The Museum of Local Lore offers tourists many interesting exhibits which reveal the history of the freedom-loving Cossacks. The exhibition of Rare Findings with Scythian and Sarmarian gold is of particular interest for visitors.
Rostov is a beautiful and lively city. The Rostovites are fond of their famous Quiet Don. The Nobel Laureates Mikhail Sholokhov (from Veshenskaya) whose novel Quiet Flows the Don is still a local favourite and Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who studied mathematics at Rostov State University both called Rostov home. Anton Chekhov was raised and educated in nearby Taganrog, where several museums commemorate this favourite son.
More than 20 different nationalities live and work together in Rostov giving it the atmosphere of cultural tolerance and friendship.
