Vladivostok

 Founded in the second part of the 19th century, Vladivostok is the capital and the largest city of Primorye region. It is located less than 100 km east of the Chinese border and just across the Sea of Japan from the main Japanese island of Honshu. Due to its favorable location Vladivostok became Russia's main naval base in the East in 1905, after Port Arthur fell during the Russian-Japanese War. Since its foundation in 1860 and up to 1958 Vladivostok was indeed a cosmopolitan city. In the early part of the 20th century, Russians were actually outnumbered by Chinese in Vladivostok, and during the years following the Revolution, there were large Japanese and US populations. In 1958 the Soviet authorities closed the city as a strategically important port to the all non-Soviets and this ban was annihilated only in 1991. But now anybody is welcome to visit this wonderful city. 

	Area:		over 600,00 sq km (231 sq miles).
	Location:		Vladivostok is the city in southeastern Russia, administrative center of Primorye Territory, located on Bukhta Zolotoy Rog (Golden Horn Bay). Vladivostok is the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, Russia's major Pacific seaport, and the main base of its Pacific fleet.
	Geographic coordinates:		43 09 N, 131 53 E
	Population:		approx 587,000 (2005 est.)
	Foundation:		1860
	Climate:		Vladivostok is in the monsoon area of the temperature zone. Seasonal changes of air streams occur under the influence of temperature changes between the mainland and the ocean. The mean annual temperature is +5°C. The average temperature in January is -14°C, the average temperature in August is +24°C.
	UTC/GMT Offset:		UTC/GMT + 10 hours
	Area code:		4232
	Major attractions:		Maxim Gorky Drama Theater, Vladivostok State Picture Gallery, Vladivostok Fortress.