If you wish to see the unique northern nature, to learn the good deeds of modest and talented people who live and work on the land of Russian North - welcome to the land of Vologda.
Vologda region is situated in the North-West of Russia, about 500 kilometers from Moscow. Its area is 145, 700 square kilometers. The region has an advantageous economic and geographical position. It is close by large industrial areas and cities, main transport lines linking the Central Russia to the Urals and Siberia that makes it easy for Vologodians to establish business relations with any Part of Russia. The rivers flowing in the territory of the region are bringing their waters to the Baltic, White and Caspian seas. The Volgo-Balt canal - the "blue artery" of the region - links together the basins of six seas. And it is the Vologda region that connects the Ports of the Baltic, White, Barents, Caspian, Azov and Black seas and industrially developed region of the Volga and the Urals which makes for the effective development of the region's economy.
The population of the region amounts to 1,362 million people. The administrative center of the region - the Vologda city - is the same age with Moscow. Vologda is the largest one in the region and one of the most important in the North railway, motorway and airway junctions. It is a river port on the river of the same name.
The population in Vologda totals at present 304,000. One hundred forty-one thousand people among them are engaged in numerous fields of industry, service, education, medicine and fine arts. Over 6000 plants, factories and commercial structures with various forms of property are operating now in Vologda.
Founded in 1147, Vologda has gone through ups and downs in its development. The role of Vologda in the Russian History changed from time to time. In the chronicles of the 13-15th centuries Vologda was described as the important, strategic, administrative and commercial center of the Russian North. It was thriving at that time. But in the middle of the 18th century the significance of Vologda gradually decreased and it became a typical provincial town. Despite this, the majestic Sofian Cathedral, the ensemble of the Vologda Kremlin, and numerous monuments of ancient Russian architecture remind us of the grandeur of the northern uncrowned capital in bygone days.
The 20th centure changed the appearance of Vologda and its economic importance as well. Instead of small workshops and handicrafts there are now huge plants and factories. In the suburbs, where once-storeyed wooden huts used to huddle, there are now new dwelling houses being built. In a word Vologda today is a major transportation, industrial and cultural center of the Russian North.
The Vologda region is an oasis of stability in Russia. There are no strikes, religious or ethnic wars. Close industrial and trade relations with many of regions of Russia, CIS states and foreign countries provide for a healthy economic situation. A vast potential market, rich stocks of natural resources, qualified work-force, a developed scientific and technical base and advantageous geographical situation at the cross-roads of the main transport ways: Moscow - Archangelsk and St. Peterburg - the East are the objective conditions for the profitable investment of home and foreign capital to our region. There is successfully operating infrastructure. The Vologda region provides great opportunities for the technology transfer.