1000TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF KAZAN
(REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION)

There are many historical events of world-wide importance. Every city, every country and every nation has this kind of memorable historical dates. But there are few cities in the modern world, which are more then millennium years old.

One of this kind of cities is the city of Kazan - the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. On August 30, 2005 Kazan will turn 1000 years old.

In accordance with the RF President's Decree of September 1, 1999 #1141 the State Commission for preparation of Kazan's 1000-th anniversary celebration chaired by RF President Vladimir Putin was created. By the anniversary a range of programmes and construction projects of great importance will be completed in Kazan, for example, Programme for obsolete housing liquidation, Programme for Kazan Kremlin reconstruction, construction of the first underground line.

1000th Anniversary of the city of Kazan is an event of global importance. This date has a deep historical meaning not only for the citizens of Kazan, but also for the Republic of Tatarstan, the Russian Federation and the entire world.

Kazan is a multinational city. It is a place of peaceful coexistence of more than 100 nationalities and large religions of the world. The historical and cultural sights of the city of Kazan rightfully claim to be included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Once a prominent Muslim city, Kazan remains a center of Tatar culture. It is the site of Kazan State University (founded in 1804), where many prominent figures of Russian history studied, such as Leo Tolstoy and Vladimir Lenin.

Notable historical sights of Kazan include The Kazan Kremlin (citadel), the oldest part of which dates back to 15th century, a 16th century church and two 18th century mosques.

Kazan was founded in the late 14th century. The Population of Kazan at present is estimated at around 1 104 000 people.

At the place where the Kazanka River flows into a powerful Volga, a city with mysterious name and surprising history has been existing for nearly 1000 years. "Kazan" in Tatar means "cauldron". Its name reflects the raging and dynamical history of the city.

The city keeps indelible traces of the last centuries events. Historical monuments are carefully saved and revived. Kazan architecture combines different styles hinting at the pretentious late Italian Baroque and refined Antiquity, magical Moorish bliss, an oriental cloud cloaking rich merchants and nobility private residences, and ancient skill of a traditional Tatar stone art originating in bas-reliefs.

Geography and Climate

Kazan - the city with highly advantageous geographical position - from the ancient times was a mediator between East and West, and today plays a great role in political, economic and international relationships.

Tatarstan is situated in the center of the Russian Federation on the East-European Plain at the confluence of the two greatest rivers - the Volga and the Kama. The overall territory of the Republic is 67, 836.2 sq. km. The Republic extends some 290 km noth to south and 460 km west to east. Tatarstan has no borders with foreign states.

The territory of the Republic is a plain which lies in forest and forest-steppe zone with small hills on the right bank of the Volga and the south-east of the Republic. 90 percent of the territory is 200 m above sea level.

The major part of Tatarstan lies in the forest zone with only its south regions located in the forest-plain zone. Local fauna is represented by 430 species of vertebrates and hundreds of species of invertebrates.

The climate is moderate-continental. Droughts are occasional. Average temperature of the coldest month (January) is -13C, of the warmest (July) +19C. Annual average amount of precipitation is 460-520 mm. Vegetation period is about 170 days.

The territory of Kazan City stands at 425 km2 populated by about 1,200,000 people. The citizens of the capital are representatives of more than 101 nationalities.

7 state theatres, 8 cinemas, 29 institutions of high education, Academy of Sciences, a network of scientific research institutes, 27 musical and 2 art schools, National library, 4 republican, 64 municipal libraries, State united museum of the Republic and its branches are situated there. Kazan State University was the third to be founded in Russia.

Sightseeing and Culure

Passing by ancient streets of the city we realize that the main wonder is Kazan itself, destroyed and burnt for many times, rebuilt and restored, ancient and eternally Young City.

Rich and populous city, with peacefully co-existing Muslim mosque and Orthodox Church, Polish Roman-Catholic church and synagogue, whence light of knowledge and culture got into the most distant corners, was known abroad of Russia. It was known by its goods, whence in many Muslim countries came religious and secular books in Arabic, Persian and other languages, city, which was rightfully called "East capital" of Russia.

One who visited Kazan at least at once will remember this city forever. He will remember its open-work lattices, cobblestone causeway, harmonious maiden priory, necklace of Azimov mosque minaret, air Sandetsky Palace, smooth and calm Kaban lake, snow-white and strict University, Volga river at a distance, beautiful and always young Kremlin.

Kazan Kremlin is a holistic architectural ensemble. The main and the brightest sight of the Kremlin is a seven-tier Suyumbika tower, spiritual symbol and historical pride of Kazan. It was named after the last Kazan tsarina, who, according to a legend, had thrown herself from the very top of the tower after Kazan was seized by Muscovite troops.

Silhouettes of old minarets, cathedrals and ancient buildings are inseparable from new buildings.

City never stopped in growing, and the 20th century buildings stand as eloquent landmarks of its development. For instance, new building of the Tatar Academic Theatre n.a. G. Kamal reflecting in the Kaban lake and RT Big Concert Hall - a stylish building housing the beautifully sounding organ; the Kazan Circus resembling a "UFO", the Cultural Centre "Kazan" housing the Museum of National Art and the Gallery of modern art, the reconstructed buildings of Railway Station and Sport Palace - capitals' pride - and new mosques and churches changing the capitals' image.

The capital of Tatarstan is of the "A" class (like Moscow and Saint-Petersburg) according to its historical and cultural value and heritage preservation. The border of the city's historical centre almost coincides with the city border of Kazan in 1890 and amounts to 1700 ha, or about 6% of the territory.

Since 1996 the Presidential programme for obsolete housing liquidation has been successfully fulfilled, which includes planned until 2004 step-by-step reconstruction of the residential fund, transmigration of 32 thousand citizens' families to new apartments with the following territories development, released by demolition of old and shabby buildings, constructing modern functionally-efficient buildings.

The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan is a students city. 73,000 students are educated here. Great deal of attention is devoted to the problems of youth. The municipal system of young talent support gains new forms. Nominal scholarships for students and graduate students, taking up the problems of town facilities and social scope of the city have been created.

Kazan has the twin-cities system of relations with Braunschweig (Germany), Bryan-College Station (USA), official, youth and sport exchange programs are fulfilled within its framework. The agreements on development of partnership relations with the province of Al-Menoufia (Arabic Republic of Egypt), on friendship with the cities Eskishehir (Turkey), Astrakhan, Vladikavkaz, Ivanov, Nizhny Novgorod, Ulyanovsk, Minsk, Alma-Ata and others have been signed. The branch of UNESCO programmes support center has been opened.

Kazan is the city where such famous people as L.N. Tolstoy, N.I. Lobachevsky, A.M. Butlerov, N.N. Zinin, S.T. Aksakov, G.R. Derzhavin, M.A. Balakirev, M.S. Shepkin, V.V. Khlebnikov, F.I. Shalyapin, V.I. Kachalov, P.Lesgaft, A. Melnikov-Pechersky were born, studied and worked.

Kazan is a cradle of Tatar culture. Kayum Nasyri and Shigabutdin Mardjany, Gayaz Iskhaki and Sadri Mac-Sudy, Gabdulla Tukai and Khady Taktash have been walking down the streets of Kazan. Enchanting music of Salikh Saidashev, Farid Yarullin, Nazib Zhiganov and Rustem Yakhin cast over by the images of Kazan and its motives.

Kazan is the capital of original folk and polyethnic Republic. Its people have their own language, culture and ancient traditions, faith and holidays. Being a multinational cultural centre, modern Kazan arranges traditional International Opera Festival n.a. F. Shalyapin and Festival of Classical Ballet. Tatar national holidays such as Sabantuy, Nauruz and the Republic Day (August 30) are an inalienable part of spiritual life of the city. The Republic Day reflects ancient customs, holidays and new image of Kazan.

Kazan is a multi-confessional city. 23 mosques, 16 Orthodox churches, a Lutheran kirche, a Catholic chapel, a Jewish synagogue and other religion institutions are functioning here. Orthodox seminary and Russian Islamic University are active.

Day by day Kazan becomes brighter and better. Streets and gardens are changing; the number of modern buildings is growing.

Everyone, who visits Kazan, opens for himself an innermost essence and glamour of the city being an alloy of great historical past, glorious actuality and beautiful future.

Administrative system

The main body of legislative authority of the city is the Kazan City Council. Executive power is exercised by Kazan City Administration. Kazan is divided into 7 administrative districts.

Economy

Being the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan is Kazan - a large railway, highway and airway hub, the largest port on the Volga River. Kazan is the main economic centre of Tatarstan. 35% of population, employed in economic branches, concentrate in Kazan. 151 large and medium-size companies are situated in the city, including 98 JSC.

The representation offices of such overseas companies as "BASF" and "Bayer" (Germany), "McDonalds" (Canada) and "ÀBB" (Sweden, Switzerland) are based in Kazan. They provide a real ground and fine prospect for external economic contacts of the city.

Main branches of municipal industry are as follows: automotive, chemical and petrochemical, light and food industries.

48,6% of goods produced in Kazan, are sold inside the Republic of Tatarstan, 31% - in the territory of Russia, 20,4% - is exported to the CIS countries and countries of "far abroad".

The output of the automotive industry and metalworking make 65,24% of volume of sales to CIS countries and exports, chemicals and petrochemicals - 33,52%.

Export sales of JSC "Kazanorgsintez" form more than 30% of the total volume of enterprise's output. JSC "Kazan Helicopter Plant" exports 92,3% of its output. JSC "Kazan Optical-mechanical Plant" exports 36,6% of its output.

JSC "Kazanorgsintez" is one of the largest chemical enterprises in Russia. It produces more than a half of the whole polyethylene production of the country. It was included to the Russia's State List of associations and monopoly enterprises producing polyethylene, polyethylene pipes and details of pipelines. Enterprise is marked by a high management level and firm growth of output volume. Produce quality meets the European standards and is exported to many world countries.

"Kazan Automotive Industrial Enterprise" (KMPO) has more then 60 years experience in aircraft engine production. It has been producing 65% of all engines for civil planes (IL-62, IL-86, TU-104 and TU154), as well as the engines for bombers and helicopters. Today JSC "KMPO" is one of the defence industry enterprises capable to preserve stable financial-economic position. The production of aircraft engine AI-22, gas-pumping unit GPA-16 "Volga", automatic gas distribution station AGRS "Istok", automatic gearbox for buses has been mastered.

JSC "Kazan Helicopter Plant" is the largest producer of helicopters of M. L. Mil designer. The helicopters MI-8 and MI-17 have brought high popularity for the enterprise. Their reliability, versatility were highly appreciated. At present moment a light multipurpose helicopter "Ansat" production is being mastered.

A new aircraft TU-214, produced at the Kazan Aircraft Enterprise n. a. S.P. Gorbunov in March, 2000, got the AP-25 certificate of the second class, which confirms the full aircraft's adequacy to American and European standards. No other aircraft in Russia has such a certificate. At the moment, the Enterprise is mastering a new average main jet aircraft TU-324. The full-scale production will start in 2003.

During the many decades a branch of design and production of medical equipment including scientific, design and production groups has been developed.

A unique enterprise JSC "Kazan Medical-instrumental Plant" has been functioning in Kazan for nearly 70 years. It is a large and the one and the only enterprise in Russia producing more than 300 pcs of medical instruments and equipment practically for all branches of medicine.

Annually the enterprise KPHFO "Tathimfarmpreparat" produces and sells 400 million medicines of more than 130 appellations, including cardiovascular, pain-relieving, anti-fever, counter tuberculosis, ocular and antibiotics. The high quality and low price distinguish products of this company.

PO "Teplocontrol" was awarded "The Arch of European Golden Star" for perfect reputation and quality of its output. Nowadays, with the account of problems of thermal energy calculation, it has mastered production of radiator thermal regulators "Comfort", and started to produce, assemble, deliver and service the automatic calculation and regulation units of thermal energy for houses and plants buildings.

JSC "Kazancompressormash" is one of the largest producers of special compressor and freezing equipment. Its output is supplied to large plants and groups of enterprises of metallurgical, gas, oil, chemical and other branches of industry.

Small and medium-size businesses become a more important and dynamically developing part of Kazan economy. The total amount of small and medium-size enterprises in the city is more than 70,000. Today Kazan small business release high-quality furniture, polyethylene output, chemicals and other important products. Their output is regularly demonstrated during the specialized exhibitions. The former Exhibition of People's Economy Achievements changed its type having been transformed to the exhibition-information enterprise "Kazanskaya Yarmarka".

Kazan history - is the history of each person and family. Everything in Kazan had been and is being created by people, its main treasure and its main hope.