Samara

Samara (Russian: Самара; IPA: [sɐˈmarə]), known from 1935 to 1991 as Kuybyshev (Куйбышев; IPA: [ˈkujbɨʂɨf]), is the sixth largest city in Russia and the administrative center of Samara Oblast. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russiaat the confluence of the Volga and Samara Rivers on the east bank of the Volga. The Volga acts as the city’s western boundary; across the river are the Zhiguli Mountains, after which the local beer (Zhigulyovskoye) is named. The northern boundary is formed by the Sokolyi Hills and by the steppes in the south and east. The land within the city boundaries covers 46,597 hectares (115,140 acres). Population: 1,164,685 (2010 Census);1,157,880 (2002 Census);1,254,460 (1989 Census).

City will host will host 2018 FIFA World Cup matches.

The metropolitan area of Samara-Tolyatti-Syzran within Samara Oblast constitutes the population of more than three million people. Formerly a closed city, Samara is now a large and important social, political, economic, industrial, and cultural center of European Russia, which in May 2007 hosted the European Union—Russia Summit.

Samara has a continental climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters.

The life of Samara’s citizens has always been intrinsically linked to the Volga River, which has not only served as the main commercial thoroughfare of Russia throughout several centuries, but also has great visual appeal. Samara’s river-front is one of the favorite recreation places for local citizens and tourists. After the Soviet novelist Vasily Aksyonov visited Samara, he remarked: «I am not sure where in the West one can find such a long and beautiful embankment. Possibly only around Lake Geneva».

Climate

Samara experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb). Samara’s humidity levels are higher in the summer than many Russian cities thanks to the precipitation levels and the close proximity to the Volga. The humidity levels usually range from 29% to 98% humidity over the period of a year.

In really hot summers temperatures easily climb up to 40 degrees.

Culture

Samara has an opera and ballet theater, a philharmonic orchestra hall, and five drama theaters. There is a museum of natural history and local history studies, a city art museum, and a number of movie theaters.

There is a zoo and a circus in the city.