Novosibirsk, the capital city of Siberia and the geographical center of Russia, was founded in 1893. Population - 1,5 million people. The city on the banks of the Ob river ranks third in Russia, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. Novosibirsk is the main business center of Asian part of Russia. This part covers the territory of 8 million sguare km. with a population of 26 million people: representation offices of major ministries of RF Government, headquarters of governors and mayors of Siberia, consulates of foreign countries are located here. The capital city of Siberia is characterized by the highest business activity and banking capital concentration in the region: more than 30 banks in force, Siberian Interbank Currency Exchange, 46 representation offices of foreign companies.

About 1/3 of scientific potential of Siberia is concentrated in its capital. Academic town, erected in the 60s, has become the first complex scientific center of Russia and served as a model for several organizations of the kind in Japan, France and South Korea. 7 International Research Centers, supervised by specialists from the leading institutes of Academic town, operate successfully. The capital city of Siberia has a well-developed guest infrastructure: 25 hotels, 60 restaurants and night clubs, 175 cafes, 10 casinos, 61 bars, 18 fitness centers with swimming pools, saunas, trainer facilities, 12 theatres, Philharmonic Society, circus, Academic Symphony Orchestra, chamber and folk chorus.

There are 40 colleges, 123 advertising agencies, 150 publishing and printing houses, 8 radio stations, 12 TV studios and 5 business centers in Novosibirsk, including WTC-Novosibirsk, which belongs to WTCA, an organization, acting in 100 countries worldwide. International business partnership connects the capital of Siberia with 85 countries. Twin-cities of Novosbirsk are: Minneapolis (USA), Sapporo (Japan) and Menjan (China). Novosibirsk is the main gateway of Siberia, the biggest industrial center behind the Urals. Somewhat unique industrial enterprises, such as Aeronautical Industrial Amalgamation named after Chkalov, the Novosibirsk Tin Factory, "Sibselmash", "ElSib", "Promsteelconstruction", Chemical Concentrates' plants, Metallurgical works and Radio Components' plant are situated in Novosibirsk. The output of these giants of industry is successfully exported.

OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE The building of Opera and Ballet Theatre can be with no doubt called a visit-card of Novosibirsk. The first performance in this theatre was staged on May 10, 1945 - right after the Victory Day of World War-II. Located in the very center of the city it attracts hundreds of spectators every day. This is one of the largest and most beautiful theatres in Russia and all the tourists who once visit it, like it even more than Bolshoi in Moscow. ABOUT THE CHAPEL In 1913, on the 300th anniversary of Romanov's house, by order of the Tsar Nikolai II, St.Nikolai's Chapel, symbolizing the center of Russian Empire, was erected. The chapel was destroyed in 1933, reconstructed in 1993 on 100th anniversary of the Novosibirsk city.

ABOUT "SIBIR" HOTEL Hotel SIBIR*** located in the downtown area of the city is considered to be the best one in Novosibirsk. It is one of the most beautiful constructions of the city. Hotel SIBIR was put into operation in 1991. Any of 240 rooms of the hotel is at your disposal. You can choose either a single room or a suite or a double room. All these rooms are equally comfortable and cozy. High standard and efficiency of service are characteristic of the hotel. The numerous facilities of Hotel "Sibir" are enough to meet all your demands and wishes. Here are 2 restaurants of European and Russian cuisine, 2 bars, a banquette-hall, a shop, a beauty saloon and a barber's shop, a sauna and a swimming-pool, a casino and currency exchange. Besides, in this hotel you can hire a car, make a train or flight reservation. The fee for single room (per night, breakfast included) - USD 44 Registration fee at the hotel (paid on the first day of the arrival) - USD 9,2 Hotel reservations are accepted by fax issued by the inviting party in Novosibirsk and sent to the hotel 2 weeks prior to the arrival.

ABOUT NOVOSIBIRSK METRO Novosibirsk metro (underground) is the only one in the Asian part of Russia and in the whole Siberia. It was put into operation in 1986. It includes 11 stations and a metro bridge across the Ob river 2145 meters long. Novosibirsk metro is the third in Russia in passengers throughput (250 thousand passengers a day). It is safe to say that Novosibirck metro is the cheapest and the easiest way to move to different parts of the city. Unlike stuffy and always overcrowded underground in other cities, it is very clean and has not so many people inside. Most of the stations have marvelous genuine marble interior which is worth seeing. The originality of Novosibirsk metro is also proven by the fact that most of the trains are equipped with TV-sets placed at top in front of the seats and showing commercials and the entertainment stuff for the passengers.