Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 by Grand Prince Georgy Vsevolodovich of Vladimir as a major stronghold border protection of Russian principalities against invasions of militant tribes and an eastern point for development of trade. The city is located at the confluence of two great rivers, the Volga and the Oka, 400 km east of Moscow. The express train form Moscow takes about 4 hours.
Nizhny Novgorod (colloquially shortened as “Nizhny”) is an ancient Russian village grown into one of the biggest and best-developed cities of the country. Nizhny has always played an important role in the political and commercial life of the East-European Plain Russia. As an industrial hub of major importance and a leading economic centre Nizhny Novgorod enjoys dynamic social and cultural life, with its lively downtown in the heart of a metropolitan region of over 1 million people. It is also a major port.
There are more than six hundred unique historic, architectural, and cultural monuments in the city. UNESCO has included Nizhny Novgorod in the list of 100 cities of the world which are of great historical and cultural value.
The city is home to 8 theaters, 5 concert halls, 8 museums, 97 libraries, 27 hotels and 15 parks
Besides its historical heritage and industrial advancements Nizhny represents an excellent place for education and research boasting a peaceful provincial environment. Unlike Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Nizhny is a big city with a small-town feel.
The city has a humid continental climate with cold snowy winters and moderate hot summers.