The first annalistic mentioning of Moscow as a settlement refers to 1147 and it is the start point of Moscow chronology. Officially Suzdal prince Yuri the Long–Arms was recognized as the founder of Moscow. The most well-known Moscow princes and kings such as grand prince Andrew Bogolubsky, Ivan Kalita, Ivan the Red, Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov, Mikhail Feodorovich and others were the continuators of Moscow state formation.
Right up to 1917 Moscow governors served faithfully to the city and all Russian State, many of them are well known to Muscovites until now. Since 1917 executive committee chairmen had performed duties of the first persons of local administration and recently – the Mayor of Moscow.
More than eight and a half centuries have passed. The city was repeatedly conquered, burnt out and risen from the ashes. Today it is one of the biggest cities in the world where deep social, political and economical proceses are taking place. Exclusively favourable position of Moscow called forth it’s advantages in other Russian cities and towns development.
Moscow is connected with Upper Volga by means of inflows system and portages and the direct way to Novgorod and further to the west starts from there. Down the Moskwa River there was the way to Oka and along Oka River to Riazan Lands. Down Yuza River with a small portage near Mytishy, it was possible to sail across to Kliazma River and down Kliazma River to Rostov, Suzdal and Yaroslavl lands. The way from Kiev and Chernigov south to Pereslavl-Zalessky and Rostov passed through Moscow. Great number of other land roads having gathered in Moscow, predetermined quickly developing settlements formation in places of their intersection. From the very beginning territorial development of Moscow was determined by constant and safe defence. Nomadic hordes presented a danger from the south and the east, Lithuanian and Poland conquerors – from the west. Moreover Vladimir, Tver, Novgorod and other retinue in due time demanded safe fortifications. After the victory on Kulikov field (1380) and “Ivan III staying at Ugra River” (1480) which put a stop for Horde Khan Ahmed’s attempt to come to Moscow, the power of the Moscow state started increasing very fast. By its territory and population in XV century, Moscow outnumbers London, Prague and other big cities of Europe. After serfage revocation (1861), during capitalism development in Russia, Moscow growth rates are increasing. It is forming to the largest commercial and industrial center. At the end of XIX century there were more than 20 thousand commercial and industrial establishments. Among them about 10 thousand were industrial enterprises with the number of employees more than 120 thousand. Small establishment prevailed with number of employees less than 16 people, only 2% of enterprises had more than 50 employees. In the Moscow industry prevailed textile industry (“Chintz Moscow“), construction industry, woodworking industry, food industry, stationary industry and leather industry, machine-building industry and gun industry.
During hundreds years Moscow has been the center of National Russian cutler. Here the most precious historical memorials are gathered: The Moscow Kremlin, New Maid Convent, Fili Church, Moscow Sate University, Triumph Arch, Victory Park on Poklonnaya hill. Revival Gates of the Kremlin with Iver God’s Mother Chapel, Kazan God’s Mother Icon cathedral, Christ the Savoir Cathedral have been restored and this process is going on.
At present Moscow is the largest economical, political and scientific center of Russia. The basis of Moscow economy makes the richest scientific, technical and industrial potential of the city.
Moscow is the cultural and scientific center of universal importance. The Russian Academy of Sciences and 90 scientific institutions are located in Moscow including 78 research institutes, and also particularized Academies of Sciences.
The world-famous Moscow theatres are the Bolshoi theatre, the Maly theatre, the Arts Theater, Theatre named after Y. Vakhtangov, theatre in Taganka Street. Painting, graphic and sculpture collections of the Tretiakov gallery, Museum of Fine Arts named after A. Pushkin are able to content with collections of many famous museums of the world. There are 72 theatres, 109 cinemas, 31 concert halls, 78 museums and 142 exhibition complexes in Moscow.
Moscow is the largest educational center of the country. Among 85 institutes and academies – 31 university and 19 academies including the well-known Moscow State University named after M. Lomonosov, Russian University of Peoples Friendship, Moscow State Technical University named after N. Bauman, Russian State Medical university and many others.
