Informatics & Computer Engg.

            Saratov is located in the heart of Volga River Valley Region. Once the capital of the Lower-Volga region, it is now the center of one of the biggest provinces in Russia. Saratov province is in the southeast of the East-European plain in the Lower Volga region, in the latitude between 49 48' and 52 49' north. The province's area equals to the total area of such states as Belgium, Switzerland and Albania. The province extends 575 km from the west to the east, and 240 km from the north to the south.

            Saratov has a size of close to 380 square kilometers and a population of about nine hundred thousand people. An additional two million people live in the surrounding area.

            The city's architecture has been influenced by both European and Asian cultures. The downtown has a large number of buildings built at the turn of the centuries in provincial modern, pseudo-gothic and Moscow baroque style. The university campus, the Covered market, the conservatory, Trinity (Troitsky) and The Spirit Coming Down (Dukhososhestvensky) cathedrals are some of the best examples of these styles. Among the modern landmarks of Saratov is the 2.8 kilometer bridge which connects Saratov with Engels.

            Saratov's climate is much like the climate of Chicago. The average winter temperature is 11 degrees Fahrenheit and the average summer temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

            Saratov was famed for the longest straight street in Europe, Moskovskaya (Moscow) street. Among the landmarks of modern Saratov is one of the longest bridges in Europe, 2.8 kilometers long.

            Saratov is the educational center of Central Russia, with 9 institutions of higher education and 21 of research & science. Saratov's scientific societies, amoung the oldest in Russia, laid the foundation for the city's academic life. Saratov University is one of the oldest and best respected universities in Russia. Currently there are four institutes affiliated with the Russian Academy of science conducting research in Saratov: Most of Saratov's institutions offer classes in accounting, economics, computers and other needed business skills. Saratov offers a highly skilled and well educated labor base. It also has facilities for worker retraining.

            Saratov offers many of the advantages of a larger city, but has the moderate prices of a smaller city. It has: a drama theaters, a children's theater, a puppet theater, Russia's oldest active circus, an opera, ballet, philharmonic orchestra, musical conservatory, and professional basketball, hockey and soccer teams. There are also has several beaches, Lipki Park, several Art Galleries, many fine cafes and restaurants, a good disco, supermarkets with foreign foodstuffs, two casinos and several delicatessens.

            Saratov is situated on the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The airport, highways, railway system and the Volga River connect Saratov with the West as well as the Urals, Siberia, and Asia. The transportation infrastructure in Saratov is amoung the best in Russia.

     Transportation

            Saratov is connected with Moscow by air and by trains. The Saratov Airport is located in the city proper and is very accessible. It can be reached in less than 15 minutes from downtown It offers air service though out Russia, including Siberia and some of the former republics. It has service to most of Russia's major cities with frequent flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg. An Aeroflot office is located in the downtown region as well as at the Airport.

            The city's public transportation system includes a trolley line and bus system. The roads are better maintained than is normal in Russia. All of the cities in the Volga region can easily be reached via the national highway system.

            Saratov has a developed public transport network, Every day more than 300,000 passengers take all kinds of transport. Saratov's stock of trams and trolleybuses is one of the largest in Russia. The total length of municipal transport routes is over 701 kilometers.

       Entertainment and foreign Culture centers

            The Russian American Center has a large selction of both fiction and nonfiction books in English. It also has a collection of video tapes in English. Movies are shown once a week and an American Club that meets weekly.

            There are also a French cultural center and the German Council/House cultural center Areas of Interest

            The Central Shopping district is downtown on German Street. It is a beautiful walking street with many outdoor cafes, restaurants and stores. The walking street begins at the Circus Square and runs the length of 10 city blocks to Lipki Park.

            There are several art galleries in Saratov. The most renowned is the Radishchev Art Gallery. It possesses an extraordinary collection of old Russian, European, Russian avant-garde and modern art. Art experts have called the gallery the "Volga Hermitage".

            The best way travel to Saratov is from Moscow.

        Sports

            There are several gyms for weight lifting and aerobics. There are also several tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts. Both cross country and downhill skiing are popular.