By Heather Hopkins Clement
Vladivostok’s advantageous location in close proximity to China, Korea, and Japan was recognized quite early. It was founded as a military post in 1860 and celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding last year. From the beginning it has played an important role in the history of Russia.
Vladivostok became the main Russian port on the Pacific Ocean in 1873 and received city status in 1880. It soon became a center of international trade.
For much of the Soviet period, the city closed not only to foreigners but also to all Soviet citizens without special permits. An exception was made when President Gerald Ford met with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1974 for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).
After Gorbachev introduced perestroika and the Soviet Union fell, the city was officially “opened” again in January 1992.
Today it is the capital of Primorye--the Maritime Territory of the Russian Far East, Russia’s largest port city on the Pacific Ocean, and a key commercial hub.
The city’s other claims to fame include being the birthplace of actor Yul Brynner, being home to the Russian Pacific Fleet, and being the terminus of the Trans-Siberian railway--the longest railway in the world.
This unique city in the Russian Far East is vastly different from Moscow or St. Petersburg (which are seven time zones away) and is sometimes compared to San Francisco for its views, steep hills, streetcars, and turn-of-the-century buildings.
The city has maintained its diversity and pioneering spirit, and Vladivostok reflects the history and culture of its own unique location commemorated in the numerous monuments throughout the city.
The city is proud of its Soviet/Russian heritage, but it also recognizes the opportunities that lie ahead for it in the Pacific Rim as it prepares to host the APEC Summit in 2012.
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