Rostov Veliky

 Rostov Veliky is one of the oldest Russian cities, which was mentioned in the ancient chronicles of the IX-th century as the city, which had been existed on the shores of Nero Lake for a long time before. At the beginning of the XIII century Rostov became a part of the Rostov principality, sooner one of the most important political, economical and cultural centers of Russia. During the Tatar-Mongol Invasion the city was almost totally destroyed. At the end of the XV-th century the city with surroundings became a part of Moscow principality, but Rostov continued to be one of the largest religious centers of Russia and so it is today. The majority of architectural monuments were built in the XVI-XVII centuries and preserved till nowadays: the Kremlin, Uspensky Cathedral and a variety of old monuments and churches attract thousands of visitors from all over the world.

	Area:		354 sq km
	Location:		The city is located on the shores of Nero Lake in Yaroslavl Oblast
	Geographic coordinates:		47 16 N, 39 43 E
	Population:		35.6 (2005 est.)
	Foundation:		IX cent.
	Climate:		The climate is temperately continental.
	UTC/GMT Offset:		UTC/GMT + 3 hours
	Area code:		863
	Major attractions:		The Rostov Kremlin, the Usoensky Cathedral