:*:*:*: NOVOSIBIRSK - RUSSIA :*:*:*:

Novosibirsk is the third largest city of Russia (after Moscow and St. Petersburg) and the main city of Siberia. Established in 1893 as the future site of a railroad bridge crossing the great Siberian river Ob (it is crossed by the famous Trans-Siberian Railroad built in 1890s - 1900s), it officially became a town in 1903.

Novosibirsk has become the chief industrial, cultural and academic center of Siberia. Manufacturing includes mining equipment, turbines, textiles, chemicals, heavy machine tools, metallurgy production. It is the home of one of Russia's best universities, a number of institutes and a scientific research center. Novosibirsk boasts opera and ballet companies, several theaters, museums, and art galleries, and numerous sports facilities. Novosibirsk is the third city in Russia (after Moscow and St. Petersburg) in which a subway system was established (The Novosibirsk Metro, opened in 1985).

















































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