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City of Kostroma is one of the oldest Russian cities and now administrative, cultural and industrial centre of the Kostroma Region. The city is located 330 km to North-East from Moscow on the confluence of Volga and Kostroma rivers. The area of the city makes 144,5 km². Number of resident population - 273,5 thousand citizens.

The history of the Kostroma Region as administrative and territorial unit of Russia has more than a two-centuries history. The city itself was based in 1152 by prince Jury Dolgoruki. Up to the middle of XVI^th century it remained an unique fortress on the left coast of Volga and several times took up impacts of enemies of Russia. Kostromites have played an appreciable role in struggles against Mongolian aggressors and in the events of the Time of Troubles. 1613 in Kostroma was left on reign Michael the founder of the Tsar Dynasty Romanovs. In the middle of XVII^th century Kostroma became on size and value the fourth city after Moscow, Yaroslavl and Kazan. To the beginning of XIX^th century province Kostroma took the second place in Russia on manufacturing of linen products and unconditionally took priority over their export abroad.

In 2007 our city has noted the 855-anniversary from the date of the basis. Kostroma is part of a popular tourist route «Gold ring of Russia». The important place in a tourist infrastructure of city occupies well known architectural ensemble Ipatievsky Monastery based at the end of XIII^th century. Before election on an empire here lived 1613 Michael Romanov. Ipatievsky Internaly in Russia the monastery is known also for the patrimonial tomb of boyars Godunov and well-known Ipatievsky annals. The Resurrection Сhurch in the Forest, as a masterpiece of the Kostroma architecture of XVII^th century, is by the right considered a pearl of the Top Volga region. Totally Kostroma counts 535 history and culture monuments including 60 monuments of all Russia value. In the city there are five museums, three theatres, six exhibition halls.

To Kostroma are inextricably related names of many outstanding historic figures. In Kostroma worked the great Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky. Our city is the native land of the founder of the first Russian theatre Fyodor Volkov. Many memorable places, history events in the city are connected with the stay here of poet Nicolai Nekrasov, artist Boris Kustodiev, general A. Yermolov, patron of art and creator of the Tretyakovskaya Gallery in Moscow Pavel Tretjakov. Writer Alexey Pisemsky, philosopher Vasily Rozanov, polar researcher A. Zhokhov were pupils of the Kostroma grammar school. In Kostroma began his career playwright Viktor Rozov.

Kostroma has a high scientific and educational potential. In the city there are higher educational institutions - Kostroma State University "N. A. Nekrasov", State Technological University, State Agricultural Academy, ABC-Protection Military Academy. Some university faculties from other cities are presented in Kostroma. City own technical schools, colleges, technical training colleges successfully work here.

Being in the past traditionally textile producing region our city is today a modern multi-industrial center. Mechanical engineering and metal working, electronics and instrument making, furniture and light industry, electric power industry, manufacture of building materials, wood-working industry, jewellers' plants - all them are branches describing new industrial shape of Kostroma.

Kostroma is an important transport node. Through Kostroma there passes the automobile road of federal value Moscow - Yaroslavl - Kirov - Perm - Ekaterinburg. A riverport and an airport operate in the city.

Our city has extensive connections with municipalities abroad. Twinned relations are established with the County Durham in Great Britain, the Land Northern Rhine - Westfalia (Germany), with the cities Hyvinkää (Finland), Samokov (Bulgaria), Cetinje (Montenegro), Durham (North Carolina, USA), Dole (France), Aachen (Germany), Piotrków Trybunalski (Poland). In 2005 for special merits in distribution of the European thinking City Kostroma is awarded with a Honour Flag of the Europe Council.

Kostroma: A Jewel in Russia's Golden Ring
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