Saint Petersburg is a modern metropolis in the classic style of Peter the Great, the famous Russian czar who started the modernization of Russia about 300 years ago. Saint Petersburg is one of the most actively developing regions in Russia. Located on the shore of the Baltic Sea, Saint Petersburg is contiguous with countries of the European Union.
The city offers plenty of hotels, a beautiful and efficient metro system and a modern airport with good connections to the city center. Saint Petersburg is less than a three-hour flight from most European capitals. With its large geoscience community, excellent facilities and beautiful architecture, Saint Petersburg has become a recognized city for holding large-scale international events. The city is renowned for its hospitality, outstanding research institutes and universities.