Vladivostok

For many Russians, especially for those living in the European part of the country, Vladivostok is the end of the world, where the continent ends and the great ocean begins. The city is situated on the peninsula, which seems to be deeply rooted into the sea.

Vladivostok is washed by two gulfs: the Amursky Gulf and the Ussuriysky Gulf, in addition to five bays that bear the classical names of Patrocles, Diomides and Ulysses. The names of the bays originate from those of the first ships that once called at them.

Vladivostok is a frontier city. Here Russia and Asia meet. At this place, where the continent ends, there is a conjunction of the border of several countries.

The coast of the Southern Primorye became known to Russian explorers in the 17 Century from tales of people, living at the Amur River. The first Russian map of Primorye coast line and rivers was published in 1759. Investigation of Primorye coast began in 1850s during the expedition to the northern part of the Sea of Japan under the command of Admiral G. I. Nevelskoy.

On the 20th of June (July 2) in 1860 the transport ship "Manjur" under the command of lieutenant-captain Shephner delivered to the Golden Horn Gulf a company of 31 soldiers. The settlement was named Vladivostok. From the very beginning of its history Vladivostok was developing as an open multinational territory. Already in 1864 first foreigners arrived at the settlement.

In 1880 there were about 9,000 residents in Vladivostok, including 5,000 Chinese, Japanese and Koreans. Nicolay-II visited Vladivostok in 1891 and attended the foundation ceremony of Vladivostok - Khabarovsk railroad construction. By 1917 the United States, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy and many other countries opened its consulates and commercial agencies.

During the Golden Age of Primorye business, social and cultural life was in full swing in the area. Adventurers and enterprising people rushed here to find wealth and happiness. The very Fate was giving to the region a role of commercial and cultural center in the Primorye.