Jekaterinburg

Jekaterinburg, also spelled Yekaterinburg, is one of the largest cities in Russia and the administrative center of Sverdlovsk Oblast. It lies on the Iset River at the western foothills of the Ural Mountains, making it a major industrial, scientific, and cultural hub in the Ural region. The city functions as a key transport and economic link between European Russia and Siberia.

Founded in 1723 by Vasily Tatishchev and Wilhelm de Gennin, the city was named after Empress Catherine I of Russia and quickly developed as a metallurgical center leveraging Urals ore. In the Soviet era it was renamed Sverdlovsk (1924–1991) and was later restored to its historic name after 1991. A notable historical event associated with the city is the 1918 execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family at the Ipatiev House; the Church on the Blood in Honor of All Saints Resplendent in the Ipatiev Monastery now stands on the site.

Economy and education play central roles in Jekaterinburg. The city remains a major center for heavy industry, machine-building, metallurgy, and chemicals, while also hosting several universities and research institutions. The Ural Federal University (URFU) and other institutions form a strong educational and scientific landscape, complemented by nearby Koltsovo, a science city known for life sciences and biotech research.

Culturally, Jekaterinburg offers theatres, museums, and historic architecture, including the Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts and the Sverdlovsk Drama Theatre. The city hosted several matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, aided by the modern Ekaterinburg Arena. Transport links are robust: the city is a major rail hub on the Trans-Siberian Railway and is served by Koltsovo International Airport, with extensive road and rail connections to Moscow, the Urals, and beyond.

The climate is humid continental, with cold winters and warm summers. The city blends European and Asian influences and serves as a gateway between continents.