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STAVROPOL
Stavropol was founded in 1777 as a fortress on the southern boundaries of Russia under the decree of Empress Ekaterina II. The first settlements around the Stavropol fortress were formed by Khoper Cossaсks. The fortress turned into a town in 1785.
Originally it was founded as a strategic point, but later the town became a cultural centre of the North Caucasus. The word «Stavropol» is a Greek word meaning «а city of a cross». The first street, which is now called Karl Marx Prospekt, was built in 1785.
The town is located in the center of the Forecaucasus. It is on the east side of the extensive picturesque Stavropol plateau. It is like a green island, surrounded in woods and located among endless steppes. Stavropol is one of the greenest towns of Russia. Beautiful parks attract visitors, opening shady alleys in front of them. Among them are: «Victory Park», «Alexandrovsky Park», «Central Park» and others.
Now Stavropol is a town of students and science. There are many colleges and higher educational institutions in the town such as: the Stavropol State Medical Academy, the State Stavropol University, the North Caucasian Technical University, the Stavropol State Agricultural University and many others.
There are some museums, for example: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Lopatin Home-Museum and the Grechishkin Museum of Paintings. The largest museum of the town is the Regional Museum. Its collection includes over 200 000 exhibits.
Stavropol is the centre of cultural life. There is the Lermontov Drama Theatre, the Concert Hall and a big library, many schools and kindergartens, a good Palace for Children, where children can go and do many interesting things. Young people can visit different night clubs and cinemas. They can dance, listen to the music, meet their friends and chat with them there.
Stavropol is an economic and industrial center of the Region. The machine building and agriculture are especially strong branches of the economy.
There are many historical monuments which reflect the outstanding events of the town. They are: the Lenin Square, the Komsomol Hill, the Central Flame and the Monument for Unknown Soldier.
The town is also the centre of the Stavropol and Vladikavkaz Eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church. There are many churches and cathedrals in the town.
In the streets there are a lot of trees and flower-beds. From early spring till late autumn visitors may enjoy the sights and the scenes of exotic flowers in blossom. In spring and summer the flower-beds strike with their diversity. Stavropol is a fast growing town. Its population is over 450 thousand people. More than 130 nationalities and people of different religions live in friendship and they are always willing to help each other.