General Information

Rostov on the Don (sometimes translated from Russian as Rotov-na-Donu) is the capital of Rostov region of Russian Federation and the administrative center of the North Caucasus district. It is located in South Eastern part of the central Russia, on the Don River near the Sea of Azov. With more than 1 million residents, Rostov is a major port, rail hub and an important industrial, cultural and scientific center. Located on the crossroad of the North Caucasus, Central Russia and the Ukraine, it is often called "The Gates of the Caucasus".

Time: Moscow time

City telephone code: +7 8632

Climate

The climate in Rostov is temperate continental. Winters are not very cold; the average temperature in January is -7°C. Summers are warm and relatively long. The average temperature in July is +23°C.

History

The city was founded in 1749. First, Temernik custom house on the Don was built, but soon it became a large fortress that evolved into a settlement. In 1797 it was named Rostov-na-Donu as opposed to the older town of Rostov which is presently a part of Yaroslavl region.

The town grew rapidly after opening of the port in 1834. It had been a major grain-exporting center throughout the XIX century.

Apart from being a major port, where the vessels of Russian, Armenian, Greek, Italian and Turkish merchants tied up, it was an important strategic point; in the XVIII century Rostov fortress with its redoubts, bastions and cannons was the largest on the South of Russia.

Being a center of trade between the European Russia and the Caucasus area, it was called the ‘Gateway to the Caucasus.’

The city suffered much in World War II and was rebuilt in 1950s.

Economy

Rostov is one of the biggest industrial centers in Russia. Today the city produces combine harvesters and transport helicopters, furniture and refrigerators, cultivators and footwear, champagne and tobacco, furniture, clothing, footwear, and leather goods.

Rostov on the Don experienced considerable economic growth in recent years, as the Russian economy recovered nationwide. The income of people increased, and the city became a modern, industrial and technology-rich hub.

Transportation

Rostov on the Don is known as the "Gateway to the Caucasus" due to its location. The Don River that the city is named for is a major shipping lane connecting southwestern Russia with the regions on the north, and Rostov on the Don is an important river port in both passenger-oriented and industrial shipping.

After the construction of the Volga-Don navigation canal, Rostov became a five-sea port accessible from the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Baltic, White and Caspian Seas. Russian river-to-sea-going motor vessels now make regular runs from Rostov to many Mediterranean ports.

Places To See

The residents and visitors of Rostov on the Don have a choice of four theatres, a philharmonic, a Sports Palace and over 900 libraries, including the Central City Public library. The Rostov region is the native land of the famous Russian writers Anton Chekhov and Mikhail Sholokhov.

The city also boasts a fine Local Lore Museum, which gives visitors a good idea of Rostov and its history and terrain.  The Rostov Museum of Fine Arts offers different exhibitions, including some genuine works by Russian artists Repin, Surikov, Perov and Levitan.

Rostov has plenty of parks, boulevards and flower gardens — October Park, Student Park, First of May Park, Pioneer Park, University Park, Gorky Park.

The people of the city are proud of their botanical garden, which features a large selection of trees and bushes from East, South and Central Asia, South Europe, the Caucasus and the Crimea.

Hotels

Congress Hotel Intourist***. Address: Bolshaya Sadovaya Str., 115. Phone: +7 8632 639065, 639054; +7 8632 639007.

Airport Hotel. Address: Sholokhov Ave., 270/1. Phone: +7 8632 589805, 589845,589216,589273.

Don Hotel. Address: Gazetny Pereulok, 34. Phone: +7 8632 661501.

Gostsirk Hotel. Address: Ostrovsky Str., 44. Phone: +7 8632 665652, 402652; +7 8632 441382.

Rostov-Don Hotel***. Address: Budyonnovsky Prospekt, 59. Phone: +7 8632 907666, 907690, 391218; +7 8632 907670, 391218.

Rostovsky Hotel. Address: Vtoraya Pyatiletka Str., 23. Phone: +7 8632 314093.

Tourist Hotel**. Address: Prospekt Nagibina, 19. Phone: +7 8632 324309, 325427; +7 8632 325823.

Uyut Hotel. Address: Kashyrskaya Str., 8. Phone: +7 8632 288942.

Evgeniya Stroganova