Saint Petersburg - is Russia's second-largest city after
Moscow, with 5,3 million inhabitants (2018). An important Russian port on the Baltic Sea, it has a status of a federal subject (a
federal city).
Situated on the
Neva River, at the head of the
Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, it was founded by
Tsar Peter the Great on 27 May 1703. During the periods 1713–1728 and 1732–1918, Saint Petersburg was the capital of Imperial Russia. In 1918, the central government bodies moved to Moscow.
Saint Petersburg is one of the most modern cities of Russia, as well as its cultural capital.
The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saint Petersburg is home to the
Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world. Many foreign consulates, international corporations, banks and businesses have offices in Saint Petersburg.