Togliatti

The city of Togliatti has more then 250 – year history. The city of Stavropol (Togliatti from 1964) was founded in 1737 as a fortess build to protect the Russian land from the raids of the Crimean Tartars and Nogai nomads. Its founder was Vassily Nikitich Tatischev (Василий Никитич Татищев), one of the fathers of the Russian Science of History and associate of the Russian emperor the Great [Петр I].

With the construction of the Volga Hydroelectric Power Station (Волжская ГЭС), Stavropol turned out to be in the flood-zone and was transferred to the left bank of the Volga river. At present Togliatti covers at total area of about 29 thousands hectares. In 1995 its multinational population was about 720.000 people. Togliatti is the largest industrial centre of the Middle Volga due to the resources of the Zhiguli Mountains : limestone(известняк), gypsum, phosphorites. The demand for oil and sulphur(сера) is satisfied by the locally procurable resources. The Zhiguli Mountains is the “Pearl of Russia”, the most unusual and beautiful place on the great Russian Volga river. The Zhiguli is a mountain chain stretching for 75 km along the bank of the Volga river. The Zhiguli Mountains are from 300 to 370 miters high and the range(горная цепь) is from 5 to 7 km wide. There is a national park which is called “Samarskaya Luka” (Samara Bend).

The moderate continental climate is warm with the average temperature in July of +20C. Because of this climate there are unique beautiful places for recreation. There is also an availability of mineral springs which allowed to construct Health Resorts and Health Preventive Complexes and recreation camps for children and adults. The city of Togliatti is included in the administrative structure of Samara Region. The Mayor of the city is the Head of the local government, he is elected by popular vote. The legislative branch is represented by the City Duma consisting of 16 deputies. The executive branch is represented by the City Administration headed by the first Vice – Mayor. The people of Togliatti have many opportunities for education. There are five universities, schools for general and special education, professional and technical specialised schools, lyceum and also a network of private school where young people can get their education.

Togliatti has five sport complexes, four stadiums, two sport palaces, 139 sport halls, swimming pools, with saunas, ski bases, nordic skiing trails, yacht clubs and tennis courts. The culture sector is represented by four professional theaters: the State Drama Theater „Koleso“, municipal pupped-show „Piligrim“, Young Spectatos Theater and VAZ studio-theater.

In the city there are municipal symphony orchestra, an art gallery, a museum of regional studies (ethnography), Expo Complex, 7 Cultural Centrs, 6 movie theaters and a vast network of library complexes. Togliatti has its own architectural image. Modern buildings prevail. The most well – known ones are the trade Center "RUS'", the market in Autosavodski district and the VAZ Culture and Technology Center. The citizens of Togliatti are proud of these buildings constructed by the workers of Joint Stock Company "Gidromontazh"(Гидромонтаж). At present they are constructing the Cathedral Complex.

The external transportation system is represented by two railway stations (cargo(грузовая) and passengers), a terminal on the Volga River which has facilities for river – marine vessels and the airport Kurumoch. They provide transportation within Russia, the CIS and to the foreign countries. Regular and charter flights are serviced by Russian Airlines and the German AirLines "Lufthansa" [1].

Togliatti is well-developed industrial center mainly known for its Volga Automobile Associated Works (Auto VAZ). The city has different types of industrial enterprises: machine building, chemistry, construction, light & food industries. Togliatti‘s industrial exports total to 1 billion USD. They are exported annually to more then 85 countries world-wide.

Togliatti is a city with much business activity. Dozens of banking institutions, joint ventures, representative offices of foreign companies are in operation here. Togliatti has successfully developed business and cultural relationships with its Sister Cities, Wolfsburg (Germany), Flint (Michigan, USA) and Kazanlyk in Bulgaria. The Russian\American Cultural Center and other International Clubs and Associations are operating in the city.

Favorable geographic location, availability of rich mineral recourses, highly developed transportation infrastructure, highly – qualified personnel and social\political stability – all these make Togliatti a pleasant place for leisure activities and a prospective partner for business and cooperation..