Saratov is located in the heart
of Volga River Valley Region. Once the capital of the Lower-Volga
region, it is now the center of one of the biggest provinces in
Russia. Saratov has a size of close to 380 square kilometres and
a population of about nine hundred thousand people. An additional
two million people live in the surrounding area.
Saratov was founded in 1590. The name of the city comes from the
Tatar word Sary-Tau (Yellow mountain). During its 400 year history
Saratov has served as the crossroads for many historical events
and outstanding people. In the late 19th century Saratov became
a regional center for industry, trade, and culture. By that time,
Saratov had become famous for its agricultural products, fishing
and salt industries, as well as for manufacturing and metal processing.
The city's architecture has been influenced by both European and
Asian cultures. The downtown has a large number of buildings built
at the turn of the centuries in provincial modern, pseudo-gothic
and Moscow baroque style. The university campus, the Covered market,
the conservatory, Trinity (Troitsky) and The Spirit Coming Down
(Dukhososhestvensky) cathedrals are some of the best examples of
these styles. Among the modern landmarks of Saratov is the 2.8 kilometer
bridge which connects Saratov with Engels.
Saratov's climate is much like the climate of Chicago. The average
winter temperature is 11 degrees Fahrenheit and the average summer
temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Saratov was famed for the longest straight street in Europe, Moskovskaya
(Moscow) street. Among the landmarks of modern Saratov is one of
the longest bridges in Europe, 2.8 kilometres long.
Saratov offers many of the advantages of a larger city, but has
the moderate prices of a smaller city. It has: a drama theatre,
a children's theatre, a puppet theatre, Russia's oldest active
circus, an opera, ballet, philharmonic orchestra, musical conservatory,
and professional basketball, hockey and soccer teams. There are
also several beaches, Lipki Park, several Art Galleries, many
fine cafes and restaurants, a good disco, supermarkets, two casinos
and several delicatessens.