Novosibirsk considered the "capital of Siberia", is a home for 1.4 million citizens. It is the third-largest city in Russia (after Moscow and S. Petersburg), and the biggest city of Western Siberia. Siberia is a vast region comprising the Asian portion of Russia.

Novosibirsk has the largest railway station along the trans-Siberian route, the biggest library in Siberia, and the largest opera-ballet house in all of Russia - even larger than Moscow's Bolshoi. Novosibirsk is the educational hub of Siberian Russia. It ranks second in the world after Chicago in growth rate. Gorbachev's Perestroika was initially conceived here, by economists who where then relocated to Moscow to author the economic revolution.

Considered the business center of Siberia, Novosibirsk is the home to the largest Siberian banks, as well as the Siberian Stock and Commodity Exchanges.

Aside from business, Novosibirsk has a rich cultural life. Six theatres, a philharmonic orchestra and a musical conservatory are located in the city. The Novosibirsk Opera House, an architectural marvel in itself, houses two permanent ballet and opera companies known throughout the world. However, due to the economic situation in Russia, almost 80 percent of this magnificent city's citizens live below the poverty line. During the winter, temperatures fall below -50F (-20C). read more