Vladivostok

Vladivostok is the second largest city in the Russian Far East and Russia's largest port to the Pacific Ocean. The name can be translated as Rule of the East, Lord of the East, or Conqueror of the East. Vladivostok is located on the Sea of Japan in the most southeastern part of Russia. The city has a population of around 600,000 people. Vladivostok was created as a naval base and is still home to the Russian Pacific Fleet. As a major sea port, Vladivostock has been a commercial center since its founding. The city is also home to nine universities, including one of Russia's larges universities the Far Eastern National University (FENU) . Industries include the import of automobiles, fishing, other imports, shipping and the maintenance of the Naval Fleet are major industries in the area, in addition to the export of petroleum, coal, and grain.

The city was established on July 2, 1960, though prior to this the area had been inhabited by Chinese and indigenous people. Previously the region was held by the Chinese Qing Empire, but was transferred to Russia in 1858 with the signing of the Treaty of Aigun. In 1873, the Russian Pacific Fleet was moved to the port, and in 1903 the Trans-Siberian railway connected to the city. The city went through troubling times with the civil war in Russia and also WWII, and was closed to visitors from 1958-1991.