Introduction to Geography of Moscow
Moscow, (Russian: Moskva), Russia, the nation's capital and largest city. It lies on both sides of the Moscow River, in west-central European Russia.
Description
Moscow is built on fairly flat land about 500 feet (150 m) above sea level and is roughly oval in shape. The street pattern in the old section of the city resembles a spider's web; radial streets lead outward from the city's center and cross thoroughfares that roughly form concentric rings.
On the north bank of the Moscow River in the center of the city stands the Kremlin, an old citadel with historic buildings enclosed by towered walls. It was once the residence of the czars and is now the center of the Russian government. Surrounding the Kremlin are the old sections of the city, which were formerly enclosed by walls. They contain many of Moscow's chief institutions and buildings.
Farther from the city's center are large parks and sports facilities, a circular railway belt, large industrial areas, and vast housing projects. Moscow's boundary coincides with a modern expressway around the city, beyond which is a forested belt containing old and new communities and several large municipal airports.
Low buildings are prevalent throughout Moscow—few structures rise more than 25 stories. Typical of postwar construction are government buildings and giant apartment complexes ranging from about 10 to 20 stories.
Places of Interest
Within the Kremlin are the offices of Russia's president and other high government officials. There are also churches and old palaces, some of which are now museums displaying czarist treasures. Archangel Cathedral contains the tombs of numerous czars; Assumption Cathedral was the site of czarist coronations.
Red Square—a rectangle 760 yards (695 m) long and 142 yards (130 m) wide—lies immediately east of the Kremlin. At various times in the past it was used as a camp site by Mongol invaders; as a forum by Russian princes and czars; as an execution ground for criminals; and as a marketplace. It is now used mainly for parades and political rallies. On or facing Red Square are St. Basil's Cathedral, the Lenin Mausoleum, the Historical Museum, Kazan Cathedral, and GUM, a huge department store. Nearby is the 3,150-room Rossiya Hotel.
Along Petrovka Street, near the Bolshoi Theater, are many of Moscow's most fashionable shops. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior, located next to the Moscow River southwest of the Kremlin, is Russia's largest cathedral. Most popular of the city's many parks is Gorky Park on the banks of the Moscow River.
Numerous sporting events are held in the huge sports complexes built around Lenin and Dynamo stadiums. Moscow's circus and zoo have long been popular attractions. The subway stations are among the most ornate in the world.
Education and Culture
With scores of higher educational institutions, research institutes, museums, and libraries, Moscow is Russia's leading education and cultural center. Moscow State University is the largest and oldest university (1755) in Russia; the Academy of Sciences is the most prestigious scientific and research organization in the nation. There are similar national academies for agriculture, arts, medicine, and education.
Outstanding among the many museums are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Ceramics, Historical, Literature, Oriental Art, and Polytechnical museums. The Bolshoi Theater is the home of world-renowned ballet and opera companies. Moscow has several symphony orchestras, including the Moscow Philharmonic. The Russian State Library is one of the largest libraries in the world.
Economy
Many Muscovites work in government offices; many other Muscovites work in industrial plants and factories. In total production, Moscow is the largest and most important industrial center in Russia. Among the chief industries are machine-building; metalworking; the manufacture of transportation equipment, chemicals, building materials, textiles, and clothing; and the processing of foods. Moscow is also Russia's chief center of printing and publishing, motion picture production, and communications, including radio and television. Radio Moscow broadcasts to all parts of the world.
Moscow is the principal hub of railway, highway, and airline systems in European Russia and is directly linked to Siberia and Central Asia. Several large airports, including Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, and Domodedovo, serve the city. Moscow is also a river port linked to the upper Volga by the Moscow-Volga Canal.
History
Moscow was first mentioned in a Russian chronicle in 1147, which is the official founding date. It was soon enclosed in wooden walls and became the nucleus of the growing principality of Muscovy. Moscow took the lead in liberating Russia from the Tatars by a military victory at Kulikovo in 1380. By the late 1500's Moscow's rule extended over most of European Russia. Many czars ruled from Moscow before St. Petersburg was made the capital in 1712. Moscow was burned during Napoleon's invasion of 1812, and many old buildings were completely destroyed.
Moscow became the capital of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in 1918 and of the Soviet Union in 1922. From this time until 1939 the population was swelled by peasants flocking to the new factories. The city suffered only minor damage during World War II. In 1960 the city's limits were greatly extended. The 1980 summer Olympic Games were held in Moscow. In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moscow once again became the capital of an independent Russia. In 1993, the city was the site of an unsuccessful armed rebellion against the government of President Boris Yeltsin.