Moscow is the capital of Russia. It was founded eight centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow's history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1712. Moscow remained the heart of Russia. Three quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. The population of the city is over 8 mln people. Moscow is the seat of our Government. President of Russia lives and works there. The Moscow Kremiin , St. Basil's Cathedral are the most beautiful masterpieces of Russian architecture. For those who are fond of art, the best piace to visit is the Tretyakov Gallery or the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best- known of them are the Bolshoi. Maly and An Theatres. Moscow is a scientific centre. The Academy of Sciences of Russia, the oidest university, many schools of higher education and colleges are located there. Traffic in Moscow is very heavy. There are the underground . busses, trolley-busses, trams and taxis in Moscow. Moscow is the port of five seas. Four main airports connect Moscow with other parts of- our country and many other countries. There are nine railway stations in Moscow.
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