Republic of Tatarstan

Tatarstan is situated in the centre of Russian Federation on the East European plain, in the conjunction of two largest rivers of Europe - Volga and Kama. It is a sovereign state, subject to international law associated with the Russian Federation on the basis of Treaty about mutually delegated rights and objects of treatment. The territory of the republic is about 67 836.2 km. The capital of the republic is the city of Kazan.

More than 70 nationalities live here, the most numerous of which are Tatars and Russians. The state languages are Tatar and Russian. The population of the republic is about 3 773 800 people. From the economic point of view, Tatarstan is one of the highly developed republics of the Russian Federation. The basic resources are oil, land, water resources. The republic has powerful scientific and intellectual potential. The leading branches of the industry: oil extraction and oil chemistry, aircraft, machine-building and device-making

Kazan City

Kazan, sometimes spelled Kasan, is a city of west-central Russia on the Volga River east of Moscow. Founded in 1401, the modern city became the capital of a powerful Tartar khanate in 1455 but was conquered by Czar Ivan IV in 1552. Kazan, is the capital city of Tatarstan, Eastern European Russia, on the Volga River. Kazan's port and shipyards on the Volga make it an important water transport center. Founded in 1401, Kazan became the capital of a powerful, independent Tatar khanate (1445), which emerged from the empire of the Golden Horde.

Tolstoy and Lenin studied at the University of Kazan, founded in 1804. The city also has a branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, an ancient cathedral, several monasteries, mosques, and the Russian Islamic University Medrese, founded 1998. Kazan is also famous for it's museums, theaters, restaurants and breathtaking views.

How to get to Kazan

Kazan is an attractive city to Russians and foreign tourists, which like to come more and more every year. The city is famous for its Opera and Ballet theaters, Art museums, International festivals, libraries the newest technologies and strong scientific potentials. During the last few years the city has noticeably changed - there are new parks, hotels, casinos, bars, cafes and restaurants. The world Famous Hermitage museum will also locate a branch in Kazan in the coming year. 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 central location of Kazan makes the trip shorter and easier for a traveler.

Air Travel Kazan has an International Airport and a new business terminal which opened in 2005 as part of the Millennium Celebration. Flights arrive regularly from inside and outside the country with limited airlines making direct connections to Kazan. Lufthansa is the dominant airline for International Flights direct to Kazan. Other airlines require transfers in Moscow between Sheremetevo and Domodedovo airports. Travel By Train As an alternative to airport hopping you can take an evening train from Moscow to Kazan. This requires a little comfort with the Russian Language as you will need to purchase your ticket at Kazanskii Train Station before departure. The trip lasts around 12 hours but is designed to let you sleep overnight and wake up in Kazan at 7 in the morning the next day. If possible book a private car so you can relax, sleep and have time to eat in the dining car. To book your tickets in advance (recommended) you can visit Poezda.net and browse available times and price ranges. Taxi in Kazan Kazan Metro Subway Kazan opened it's new subway system in 2005 as part of the millennium celebration. The modern system includes several features to make getting around Kazan easy and enjoyable. Opening of a new business terminal in Kazan International Airport ::more>

Upon Arrival Once you pass boarder and custom controls at Moscow Sheremetevo2 (SVO2) airport, received your migration card and get your luggage, head directly to an exit for a taxi. To make your trip more affordable plan your transportation or "transfers" before you arrive.  Book a taxi on-line or get information about taxi and bus services from Information booth. If you accept a taxi driver form the front lobby you WILL be overcharged. Most flights to Kazan are operated from Domodedovo (DVO) airport. It will take 1-2 hours to get from SVO2 to DVO airport depending on the time of the day. Tatarstan and Sibir airlines  offer their services to bring you to Kazan. They are both evening flights. Visa Requirements In order to enter Russia, you will need Russian Visa which you can obtain by submitting an official invitation and documents to a Russian Consulate. Be sure to plan ahead and apply for your visa well in advance. For assistance, you would be well-advised to consult an experienced travel agent or visa service. Within three days of your arrival, you are required to register your visa. Hotels typically do this automatically; if you will not be staying in a Hotel , the inviting organization is responsible for taking care of this. If your visa is not registered, you may be prevented from leaving the country or forced to pay a large fine. Arrival in Kazan Upon arrival you can take a taxi form the front entrance of the airport but few of the drivers speak English. There is also a shuttle bus from the Main Bus Station (near the International Arrivals) to the centre of Kazan. The information center can provide the local schedule times but you should anticipate between 1 and 1 1/2 hours, depending on the time of day.

Naberezhnye Chelny

Naberezhnye Chelny is the second largest city in Tatarstan. It is situated on the left bank of the river Kama. It has 560 thousand inhabitants. Its rapid growth began in 1970 with the building of motor factory on the Kama. Nizhekamskaya electric power station is not far from the town

Kamaz. The former Soviet Union was greatly in need of lorries and in 1969 a decision was taken to build a great motor-car factory producing lorries for the building a small town on the Kama Naberezhnye Chelny was chosen because of it's advantages.

Geographically it was situated in the very center of the former Soviet Union. Navigable rivers (the Kama and the Volga) and close railway answers all the problems of the raw materials, equipment and later with the transporting trucks to the customers.

The construction of the KAMAZ was one of the most grandiose in the USSR.

The workers and specialists from all parts of the Soviet Union and of more than 70 nationalities came to Naberezhnye Chelny. More than 2000 enterprises, all ministries supplied it with the items and equipment. More than 100 thousand people worked there. The building began on December, 13, 1969. The Kamaz was planed to produce 150,000 lorries and 250,000 engines a year. On February, 16, 1976 the first lorry was produced. Nowadays "KAMAZ" lorries make the fourth part of the whole car park of the country. The territory of the motoroar factory is 22 sq. miles.

At the same time Naberezhnye Chelny grew bigger and bigger. Every year 30-40 thousand people came there. By the 1995 the town has had more then 530,000 people of different nationalities and religious though it had only 27,000 citizens before the Kamaz had been started building.

Money in Russia

The ruble is the only legal tender. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars except at authorized retail establishments. Worn U.S. bills or bills marked in any way are often not accepted at banks and exchange offices, even though this constitutes a violation of currency laws. Travelers may sporadically experience some difficulty in obtaining or exchanging dollars outside of major cities in Russia.

Other Facts:

Language: People that live in Kazan speak both Tartarian and Russian languages with the majority of citizens as Kazan Tatars.

Airport Code: KZN