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Petrograd

Saint Petersburg
Санкт-Петербург (Russian)
—  Federal city  —

Clockwise from top left: Peter and Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island, Smolny Cathedral, Bronze Horseman on Senate Square, the Winter Palace, Trinity Cathedral, and the Moyka river with the General Staff Building.

Flag

Coat of arms
Coordinates: 59°57′N 30°18′E / 59.950°N 30.300°E / 59.950; 30.300Coordinates: 59°57′N 30°18′E / 59.950°N 30.300°E / 59.950; 30.300
Political status
Country Russia
Federal district Northwestern
Economic region Northwestern
Established May 27, 1703
Federal city Day May 27
Government (as of March 2010)
 • Governor Georgy Poltavchenko (UR)
 • Legislature Legislative Assembly
Statistics
Area 
 • Total 1,439 km2 (556 sq mi)
Area rank 82nd
Population (2010 Census)
 • Total 4,879,566
 • Rank 4th
 • Density 3,390.94/km2 (8,782.5/sq mi)
 • Urban 100%
 • Rural 0%
Population (2015 est.)
 • Total 5,191,690
Time zone(s) MSK (UTC+03:00)
ISO 3166-2 RU-SPE
License plates 78, 98, 178
Official languages Russian
Official website

Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, tr. Sankt-Peterburg; IPA: [ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk]) is Russia's second-largest city after Moscow, with five million inhabitants in 2012, and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea. It is politically incorporated as a federal subject (a federal city). Situated on the Neva River, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, it was founded by Tsar Peter the Great on May 27 [O.S. 16] 1703. In 1914, the name was changed from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd (Russian: Петрогра́д; IPA: [pʲɪtrɐˈgrat]), in 1924 to Leningrad (Russian: Ленингра́д; IPA: [lʲɪnʲɪnˈgrat]), and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg. Between 1713–1728 and 1732–1918, Saint Petersburg was the imperial capital of Russia. In 1918, the central government bodies moved to Moscow.

Saint Petersburg is the most Westernized city of Russia, as well as its cultural capital. The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saint Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world. A large number of foreign consulates, international corporations, banks, and businesses have offices in Saint Petersburg.


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