Kazan is a big industrial center with the population over 11 million people, there is a railway, motor-way and international airport junction, as well as the largest river port on the Volga.

The Kazan is one of the most acknowledged centers of science, culture and education. There are 14 higher education institutions in Kazan, among them is the well-known Kazan State University, Academy of Science of Tatarstan and the of Scientific Center of the Academy of Science of Russia; 7 professional theaters; philharmony; symphonic orchestra; museums and libraries. Kazan is connected with the names of famous thinkers, writers and scientists, such as L.N. Tolstoy, A.M. Gorky, G. Tukai, N.I. Lobachevsky, A.M. Butlerov, F.I. Shalyapin and many others. Shalyapin International Opera Festival, Nuriev Festival of Classical Ballet, Jazz Festival are the cultural events traditionally take place each year.