Cities of Russia Multiple Choice Quiz | Europe

Answer: Moscow

Moscow is the center of politics in Russia. It is where the Duma meets. In addition, it is the most populous city entirely in Europe, the largest European city by area and the northernmost megacity on Earth.

As Russia's capital, Moscow is considered the premier city of Russia. The most iconic location in Moscow is the Red Square, home to the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral and its onion domes. The Kremlin, a former fortress, is located nearby Red Square and is home to the President of Russia.

Some of Moscow's other famous locations are the Ostankino Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in Europe; the Bolshoi Theatre, home of the famous Bolshoi Ballet; and the GUM Department Store.

Answer: St. Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is considered Russia's second city as it is second in importance to Moscow. The city served as the capital of Russia from 1713-1728 and again from 1730-1918 until the capital was moved to Moscow. It was founded by Peter the Great. It is located much closer to the rest of Europe than Moscow is and it was intended to rival the great cities of Europe.

The most famous location here is the Hermitage Museum which is home to a vast collection of art and artifacts from ancient history to the present day and from all around the world. Other icons of the city are Peter and Paul Fortress which was once a prison, Lakhta Center, Europe and Russia's tallest building and Palace Square which was the location of the Bloody Sunday Massacre as well as one of the places where the Russian Revolution sparked.

Answer: Perm

Perm is located near the Ural Mountains. The Urals are traditionally the dividing line between Europe and Asia. This made Perm a frequent stop for traders heading in either direction. In addition, Perm is seen as a melting pot of sorts since it is influenced by both Asian and European cultures.

Perm is heavily reliant on industry and manufacturing. Many Russian aircraft companies are located here. It is less focused on culture than other major Russian cities but there is still an opera house and museums. In addition, the steel tongue drum was invented here.

Answer: Krasnoyarsk

Krasnoyarsk is located on the Yenisei River in Siberia. It is one of the region's most important cities. Krasnoyarsk is surrounded by mountains and forests that give the city a natural beauty. One of the most famous of these mountains is the Stolby Nature Reserve known for its rock cliffs.

The Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Dam was the largest power plant in the world from its construction in 1971 until 1983. Because of the plant's energy production, the Yenisei River no longer freezes in the winter. Like other cities in Siberia, Krasnoyarsk is heavily into manufacturing. Industry moved into the city during World War II because it was secluded and thus considered safe from Axis powers.

Answer: Yekaterinburg

Yekaterinburg was founded in the Iset River in Western Siberia. It was named after Catherine I, Empress of Russia, whose Russia name was Yekaterina. The city is nicknamed the Window to Asia because its location is about halfway between the Ural Mountains and the other major cities of Siberia like Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk.

Historically speaking, Yekaterinburg is most famous internationally for being the city where Czar Nicholas II and his family were murdered during the Russian Revolution. The Romanovs were imprisoned at Ipatiev House before their execution. Today, the Church on the Blood now stands where Ipatiev House once did.

Answer: Omsk

Omsk is located near the Russian border with Kazakhstan. It is thus a major trading center both by rail and waterway with that nation. Oil is the big commodity that is transported through Omsk.

One of the most famous places in Omsk is the Dormition Cathedral. It was originally built by Nicholas II in 1891 (the tzar laid the first stone) but it was demolished in the 1930s after the Revolution. It was rebuilt in the Russian Revival style in 2000s. The Dormition Cathedral is dedicated to Bishop Sylvester, an ally of the czar who was murdered in 1920.

Answer: Ufa

Ufa is notorious within Russia for its pollution. The main industries in the city are oil refining, chemical manufacturing and engineering. It has been noted that a strong chemical smell besieges the city at regular intervals.

Ufa is one of the most diverse cities in Russia. It has a large population of Russian Old Believers and Sunni Muslims. One of Russia's largest mosques can be found in Ufa. It is called Lala Tulpan and resembles budding tulips on the top of its minarets. Ufa is also racially diverse. A substantial population of Tartars and Bashkirs live in the city, although it is plurality Russian.

Answer: Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk is the most populous city in Siberia. At its founding, the city was originally called Novonikolayevsk. Like many cities in Siberia, it was in rapid decline from neglect, disease and other issues until World War I and World War II saw an influx of people and industry fleeing other places in Russia for safety and seclusion.

Novosibirsk is probably best known for its zoo. The Novosibirsk Zoo is widely known for its work with endangered species especially big cats and marine mammals. Another famous place in the city is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The church is dedicated to Saint Alexander who was once Prince of Novgorod. The church was shut down by Soviets in 1937 but reopened to celebrate the region's thousandth anniversary of Christian conversion in 1988.

Answer: Rostov-on-Don

Rostov-on-Don is located in the southern part of European Russia on the Don River and along the Sea of Azov. It is one of the warmer cities in Russia and a popular summer destination.

Historically speaking, the city is known for its warring past. It was occupied by German forces in both World Wars. In particular, World War II caused the city much strife. Rostov-on-Don was an important city strategically near the Caucus Mountains because it was a stop along the oil trade. Nazi forces besieged the city for two weeks before the Soviets declared victory at the cost of 33,000 soldiers. An estimated 27,000 Soviet Jews were massacred in the city. An additional several thousand ethnic Polish Russians were also killed.

Answer: Vladivostok

Vladivostok is located in the far eastern, southern corner of Russia along the Pacific Ocean near the border of China and North Korea. It is the end terminus for the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. Its location on the Pacific Ocean makes it a popular port for the Russian Navy and international trade.

Vladivostok is heavily Europeanized despite having a large Asian population. This is because the formerly segregated divisions of the city have long since merged and assimilated.