Krasnoyarsk is the largest industrial and cultural centre of Eastern Siberia, and capital of Krasnoyarsk region, the second largest region in Russia. It is situated in the centre of Russia near the confluence of the small river Kacha and the mighty Yenisei river. The town was founded in 1628 by Cossacks under the troop leader Andrey Dubenskiy's command and was originally named "Krasniy Yar". Krasnoyarsk received the status of the city in 1690, when Siberia finally joined Russia. In 1822, it became the centre of the Yenisei province.

The city is distinguished by its unique landscapes, mountain views, majestic Siberian forest and the well-known "Stolby" nature reserve. This work of nature is a group of exotic rock pillars situated in the taiga on the spurs of the Eastern Sayan Mountains. The territory of the reserve is about 47 000 hectares.

The guests of the city hurry to visit the main symbols of the Siberian capital: Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station, the Communal bridge over Yenisei river and the Chapel of Praskeva Pyatnitsa on Karaulnaya mountain. There is also a memorial of victory not far from the chapel. The way to Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station will take only an hour if you go from the only one Russian ski resort of world level - the fun park "Bobroviy log". We cannot but stop near one of the most unusual zoos in Russia "Roev Ruchey" and to enjoy the view of mysterious rocks known as "Stolby", to visit a watching place with "Tsar Fish" monument and a memory complex of Victor Astafyev. There is a grandiose dam holding the powerful Yenisei behind Divnogorsk city with its unique streets-terraces.

The city is rich in sightseeing places. A short walk along the embankment of the river Yenisei will let you not only enjoy the picturesque views of the railway station, the Regional museum, the museum complex on Strelka and the ship-museum St. Nikolay, but also to walk under one of the largest arcs of the Communal bridge. The Railway Bridge over the Yenisei, constructed in 1899 by mechanical engineer E.K. Knorre as a part of the project by a famous Russian engineer L.D. Proskuryakov, was awarded with a gold medal at the World Fair in Paris in 1900 as the highest achievement of technical idea.

The borders of the city are constantly becoming wider. But nevertheless there are several places where time stops its rush. It is hard to imagine that near the old merchants' houses, a catholic Organ hall and the museum of Vasily Surikov there is a high tech business center of the city. The citizens of Krasnoyarsk carefully maintain their history, restoring and preserving monuments of architecture and historical inheritance. At present, there are 166 objects of cultural heritage of regional and national importance in Krasnoyarsk.

In 2003, a new symbol, the Historical Gates to the City, appeared in Krasnoyarsk. They were constructed at the exact place, where almost four centuries ago the settlement's history began. In the year of the 375th Anniversary of Krasnoyarsk, another great tradition appeared - a carnival, which became one of the main events of the City Day. The carnival procession of 2004 included over 12 000 people from of all large enterprises of the city.

The religious traditions are one of the most important in the city. During one of the religious holidays the icon which protects the city is taken to Pokrovskaya church with the help of a special religious procession.

Today's Krasnoyarsk is a modern industrial city with unique architecture, a capital of artistic and talented people of Siberia and one of the most beautiful cities in the country. According to the All-Russian census of population carried out in 2002, more than 912 000 people live in Krasnoyarsk.

Over 17 000 enterprises, organizations and institutions, including 124 industrial enterprises are situated in Krasnoyarsk. The city takes the leading position in Siberia by the volume of industrial production. Together with the traditional industrial sectors for the region, such as metallurgy, power engineering and mechanical engineering, new areas are developing more and more actively. Proposals and creation of technologies and projects allow the city to maintain its leading position and develop its attractiveness for investment.

In the 1960's, Krasnoyarsk became a major transport junction. Three of the most important transport routes, the Trans-Siberian railway, a highway of federal significance and the river Yenisei pass through the city. The Trans-Siberian railway or The great Siberian way (the historical name) is a perfectly equipped railroad which crosses the whole continent connecting the European part of Russia and its biggest industrial regions with Siberia and the Far East. The Transsiberian railroad crosses 14 districts, 3 regions, 2 republics, 1 autonomous district, 1 autonomous region and 16 big rivers of the Russian Federation. There are 87 cities situated along the way. Krasnoyarsk city is situated on the 4098 km of the Trans-Siberian railway.

Yenisei is the main river of Siberia. Its length is 4,020 km. Yenisei is formed at Kyzyl, Tuva Republic, by the junction of the Big Yenisei and the Small Yenisei rivers, which rise in the East Sayan Mountains. along the Russian-Mongolian border. It flows westward, then generally north, past Minusinsk, Krasnoyarsk, Yeniseisk, and Igarka to enter the Kara Sea. The Angara, Stony Tunguska, and Lower Tunguska rivers are Yenisei's chief tributaries. The river is frozen during the winter months. The Yenisei's upper course is turbulent, with many rapids, and has a great hydroelectric generating potential. There are giant hydroelectric stations at Krasnoyarsk and at Sayanogorsk. The river's middle course widens and is navigable for steamers. Lumber, grain, and construction materials are transported along the Yenisei. There is fishing for sturgeon and salmon in the river's lower reaches.

Krasnoyarsk is a city that has turned to the future. It is among the top 5 Russian cities in the sphere of education. Significant scientific potential, rich cultural and sporting traditions are concentrated in Krasnoyarsk. The city has rich cultural traditions. The great Russian artist, Vasiliy Surikov, the writer Victor Astafyev and the opera singer Dmitry Khvorostovskiy were born and educated here. There are 5 professional theatres in Krasnoyarsk. Mikhail Godenko's State Academic Dance Company of Siberia is known to spectators of more than 50 countries worldwide.

Krasnoyarsk is a symbol of bright victories in rugby, bandy and free-style wrestling. Twice, in 1982 and 1986, Krasnoyarsk was host of the Winter Games of Peoples of the USSR, the biggest mass competition of the country. Nine Krasnoyarsk men were the champions and prize-winners at the Olympic games. The Central Palace of Sports of the city was named in memory of an honorable citizen of Krasnoyarsk, Ivan Yarygin, the champion of the Olympic games in free-style wrestling. Names of prize-winners of the Russian, European and World championships in biathlon Olga Pyleva and Pavel Rostovtsev, pupils of the ‘Yenisei' bandy team Lomanov father and son, Ivan Maksimov, Olympic champions in free-style wrestling Saytiev brothers, as well as Alexey Shumakov are known all over the world. The "Everybody Starts" jogging competition which is headed by the mayor of the city Pyotr Pimashkov has celebrated its 6th anniversary and the number of participants grows year after year. Over 16 000 citizens take part in it every year.

Krasnoyarsk is a city of innovations, partnership and accord. Krasnoyarsk has entered the 21st century as a city of rights, where rules of long-term and mutually advantageous cooperation between authorities, businesses and citizens are precisely prescribed and these rules take into account individual, corporate and public interests.

Krasnoyarsk confidently conquers the international market, actively 

advertising itself in many countries of the world. Krasnoyarsk strengthens participation in political dialogue on the international scene. Krasnoyarsk represents Russia in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Our city, one of three in Russia, together with 

St Petersburg and Kazan became a member of the Council of the World Organization of the United Cities and Local Authorities.

Of course it is not possible to get acquainted with the city during one day. There is too much to see. The tourists are welcome to take part in theme excursions to museums, religious places, theatres, fountains, to the nature reserve "Stolby", Karaulnaya cave, the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station and many other interesting places.

GMT +8 hours

City official website: http://www.admkrsk.ru