History
Founded: 16 (27) May, 1703
City’s birthday: Celebrated each year on May 27
Figures
Population: 4 581 854 (as of January1, 2009)
Area: 1400 square kilometers
Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland), in the North-West of Russia, 2 hours by car from Finland or Estonia, and about 4 to 8 hours by train from Moscow.
Latitude: 59 degrees 57’ North
Longitude: 30 degrees 19’ East
Weather: Average weather in Petersburg (Celsius): January -6 | February -6 | March -1.5 | April +4.5 | May +11 | June +16 | July +18 | August +17 | September +11 | October +6 | November -1 | December -4
Time Zone: GMT +3, Eastern +8
Main river: Neva. The city is located in the delta of the Neva River on numerous islands, a fact which prompted some observers to call it “The City on 101 Islands”
Interesting facts
How does St. Petersburg compare? The most Northern city in the world with a population over 1 million
Main natural phenomena: White Nights, Floods
Origin of the name: Named in honor of St. Peter and not Peter the Great, the founder of the city. The name can be translated as “The City of St. Peter”.
Name changes:
St. Petersburg May, 1703 — August, 1914
Petrograd August, 1914 — February, 1924
Leningrad February, 1924 — July, 1991
St. Petersburg July, 1991 — Present
Nicknames: “Venice of the North”(referring to St. Petersburg’s many rivers and canals) “Palmyra of the North” “Northern Capital of Russia” (referring to the centuries-old rivalry between St. Petersburg and Moscow)
Symbols: Angel with a Cross (weather-vane on top of the Peter and Paul Cathedral) Little Ship - Korablik (weather-vane on top of the Admiralty tower)
Seal: A sea anchor and a river anchor with a scepter - a symbol of royal power - on a red field.
Infrastructure
Local government: The Governor and the Governor’s Office, The Legislative Assembly
Money: Russian Rubles. Many stores accept credit cards, and all stores accept only rubles that you can buy at a number of conveniently located currency exchange points (obmenni punkti) throughout the city. You’re likely to get the best exchange rates on Nevsky Prospekt, but be sure to bring along your passport. Without a passport you can not change money. Most obmenni punkti charge about 50 cents to change money.
Zoning: 20 administrative districts, including satellite towns under St. Petersburg’s jurisdiction
Transport: Metro. There are 5 subway lines. The one subway fare is 20 Roubles and the open ours are from 5.30 a.m. to 0.00. One can also buy a ticket for ten or more rides. Bus: Passage fare for bus, trolley, tram is 18 Rubles - To be paid to the conductor. Taxi
Airports: Pulkovo-2 International Pulkovo-1 Domestic
Sea port: Passenger terminal on Vasilievsky Island