Yaroslavl

 Yaroslavl is a unique city on the Volga River where the breathtaking beauty of the nature, the splendor of ancient architecture and the modern industry are so harmoniously combined together. The town was firstly mentioned in Russian chronicles at the beginning of the 11th century. As the ancient legend goes, on this very place Great Kiev Prince Yaroslav the Wise killed a bear and ordered to found a fortress there. Another legend says that the Prince with the retinue conquered a small pagan settlement and with a pole-axe cut up a heathen picture of bear. Anyway, these legends have given the emblem to the town - a bear with a pole-axe represented on a silver shield. The fortress featuring favorable location at the crossroads of the important commercial ways soon turned into a large center of commerce and handicrafts. At present it is the largest city of the region with the population of 650 thousands.  

	Area:		more than 143 sq km
	Location:		Capital of Yaroslavl region, Eastern European part of Russian, on the upper Volga River.
	Geographic coordinates:		57 34 N, 39 52 E
	Population:		approx 605,000 (2005 est.)
	Foundation:		1010
	Climate:		The climate in Yaroslavl is moderately continental with relatively cold winters and warm summers. The mean temperature for January, the coldest month, is -10.8 0C and the mean temperature for July, the hottest month, is 18.2 0C.
	UTC/GMT Offset:		UTC/GMT + 3 hours
	Area code:		0852
	Major attractions:		Spassky Monastery, Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, the Kremlin.