Novosobirsk claims to be both the geographical centre of Russia and the informal capital of Siberia. A million and a half populated metropolis, it's territory third to Moscow and St.Petersburg was founded in 1893 and later named Novonikolayevsk ( the new city of Nikolas) after the ruling monarch . With nothing antique to boast about, Novosibirsk takes pride in the rate of growth, which allowed a small settlement at the crossing of river OB by TransSiberian Railway to become, in just a hundred years, an ambitious industrial and commercial, transportation, scientific and cultural center of Asian Russia.
Its almost total luck of natural resources is offset by relatively well-developed infrastructure and educated, mobile population, mainly consisting of enterprising migrants from the European part of the country. A combination of eclectical urbun planning military industrial Puritanism makes the style of the city fairly distinct, if not unique.
The traditional political creed here is moderate conservatism, sound prudence about all things new and slight jealousy of Moscow.
But as for art and culture Novosibirsk prefers avant-garde, modern style. There is no boredom for those who like bogemian parties and artistic style in life. Novosibirsk is well known by good jazz musicians. There are many things worth to see for artists, on can always find good company enjoying contemporary art and alternative teatre.
Among the few attractions of Novosibirsk primarily are Opera and Ballet Theatre, Picture Gallery, research centre Akademgorodok and certainly West -Siberian Film Studio, where many of good documentaries had been made and where is a storage of the unique newsreels .
For those who like to travel Novosibirsk is suitable as a way to Altay . There had been an ancient fabulous Silky Way to Asian countries in this region in former times. Within 8 ours by car you can reach places near the border of Mongolia and to enjoy landscape of the beautiful mountains and lakes of Altay.
