Voronezh

Located on the Voronezh River, twelve kilometers from its inflow into the Don River, Voronezh today is a major administrative, industrial, and cultural center of the Central Black Earth Region. It was founded in 1585 by Tsar Fyodor as a fortress for protecting Russia from the invasion of Crimean and Nogay Tatars. It was Voronezh, where the first Russian fleet, a great surprise for Europe, was built by order of Peter I. After that, being the center of Russian shipbuilding the city functioned as almost a Russian capital, where Peter I with his courtyard lived. A favorable geographic position at the cross-roads of important transport routes, a powerful industry, a strong scientific potential and productive agricultural base let Voronezh stay a leader among the cities of the Central Black Earth Region. 

Area:		595 sq km
Location:		The city is located on the Voronezh River, twelve kilometers from its inflow into the Don River.
Geographic coordinates:		51 39 N, 39 10 E
Population:		909,3 (2005 est.)
Foundation:		1585
Climate:		The climate is temperately continental.
UTC/GMT Offset:		UTC/GMT + 3 hours
Area code:		473
Major attractions:		Museum of Ivan Kramskoy, Monument of Peter I, Chernavsky Bridge