St. Petersburg, Russia

The Los Angeles- St. Petersburg Sister City Committee is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the flow of culture, ideas, and capital between Los Angeles and St. Petersburg. For some 12 years, the committee has promoted and supported cultural, educational, business, and technological co-ventures by these extraordinary cities. A partial list of activities include an impressive schedule of cultural events in honor of the 300th anniversary celebration of St. Petersburg, a journalism exchange program between the college news publications at UCLA and St. Petersburg University, a book exchange with St. Petersburg Library, an international medical seminar at Pavlov University, and a partnership with the Society of Cultural and Business Contacts with the US and Canada. Throughout the year, the Committee proudly presents a wide selection of Russian-themed cultural events, including film festivals, exclusive premieres, world class ballets, art exhibits, and musical evenings with some the Russia's most established and emerging musical artists. Our annual Russian Winter Ball is the highlight of our events schedule and a favorite among our membership. Two thousand and three marks the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg. The Committee is already well underway with the festivities surrounding this global celebration. Last year, the Committee and The Mayor's Office of Los Angeles co-hosted a magical evening with the world renowned Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. As we approach 2003, the Committee is planning numerous special events, including musical soirees, exhibits, film screenings, and receptions. The Committee is dedicated to the children of Russia, and has made fundraising a major priority. Through its ongoing fundraising efforts, the Committee has had a dramatic impact on the lives of the children of St. Petersburg by making substantial donations to the Sestroretsky Orphanage and Children's Hospital of St. Petersburg. For membership inquiries or more information about the Los Angeles-St. Petersburg Sister City Committee, please call: 310-393-8100

Population: The population of Russia is 146, 001, 176.

Location: St. Petersburg is located in North West Russia on the Baltic Sea. Russia is located in Northern Asia (the part west of the Urals is sometimes included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean.

Climate: The climate of Russia tends to range from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast.

Local Time: The local time of St. Petersburg is Greenwhich Mountain Time +3 which is eleven hours ahead of Los Angeles.

Capital of Russia: The capital of Russia is Moscow.

National Day of Russia: Independence Day, 12 June (1990)

Flag of Russia: The flag of Russia has three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red.

Currency: The currency of Russia is 1 ruble (R).