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Rostov-on-Don

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Rostov-on-Don is a large and busy port city in southern Russia.

European Russia location map (2014–2022, Crimea disputed)
European Russia location map (2014–2022, Crimea disputed)

It sits on the banks of the Don River. The city is part of the East European Plain. It is located about 32 kilometers from the Sea of Azov.

Rostov-on-Don, Don River, Russia
Rostov-on-Don, Don River, Russia

The city serves as a center for culture and education. It is also a major hub for trade and transport. More than one million people live there today.

Rostov-on-Don, Iconic view, Russia
Rostov-on-Don, Iconic view, Russia

This makes it the 11th largest city in the whole country.

The city works as a gateway for many different types of ships.

Rostov-on-Don, Panorama of Rostov-on-Don and Don River, Russia
Rostov-on-Don, Panorama of Rostov-on-Don and Don River, Russia

Because of the Volga-Don Shipping Canal, it is called a "port of five seas." Ships can travel from here to the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. They can also reach the Sea of Azov, the White Sea, and the Baltic Sea. The river carries many goods like wheat, timber, and iron ore. Local farms also produce a lot of sunflower oil here. This makes the city a very important place for the economy.

History has shaped Rostov-on-Don for a very long time.

Coat of Arms of Rostov-on-Don
Coat of Arms of Rostov-on-Don

Long ago, tribes like the Scythians lived in this area. In 1749, a custom house was built to manage trade. A fortress was also made to protect the area. The city was officially named Rostov-on-Don in 1806. During the 1800s, many new railways were built to connect the city. These tracks linked Rostov to places like Kharkiv and Voronezh. This helped the city grow into a major center for business.

The weather in the city changes quite a bit through the year.

Rostov-on-Don, Don River at night, Russia
Rostov-on-Don, Don River at night, Russia

Summers are usually warm and can feel very humid. In July, the temperature often averages around 23.4 degrees Celsius. Sometimes, it can get as hot as 40.2 degrees Celsius. Winters are moderately cold for the region. In January, the average temperature is about minus 3 degrees Celsius. The city has seen very cold days reaching minus 31.9 degrees Celsius. The air is often quite moist throughout the seasons.

Today, people use many ways to move around the city.

Rostov City Hall, Administration, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Rostov City Hall, Administration, Rostov-on-Don, Russia

You can ride on buses, trolleybuses, or trams. There are also small minibuses called marshrutkas. For long trips, people use Platov International Airport. This airport was opened in 2017 for the FIFA World Cup. The city also has big railway stations like Rostov-Glavny. Many major highways pass through or near the city too. This helps keep the city connected to the rest of Russia.

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