Now Rostov-on-Don is a southern capital of Russia with the population 1,5 million people. At the beginning of the last century only 120,000 people of different social groups lived here: nobility, clergy, peasantry, petty bourgeois, Cossacks, foreigners and, of course, merchants. It was the influence of the merchants that set conditions for the cultural and economic development of the city and to a large extent the modern image of the city. Merchants managed 92 manufacturing enterprises, about 3000 handicraft shops with 15,000 working people. Today the Rostov industry is highly developed. Its main branches are engineering, food manufacturing, light and chemical industry. The city’s enterprises produce more than half of all Russian grain combines (LLC “Rostselmash”) as well as tractor cultivators, helicopters, bearings, manufacturing equipment, compression-type machines, radio navigation technique, watches, electrical household appliances, electric tools, river boats, gas-fitting and office equipment. The main part of goods turnover of the Rostov port (according to tonnage) belongs to wood, metal ores, mineral-building matters, provisions, manufactured and agricultural products.

Rostov-on-Don is a scientific centre of the southern region of Russia. In the city there is a North Caucasus High School Scientific centre: research institute of biology, neurocybernetics, physical and organic chemistry, mechanics and applied mathematics, hydrochemistry, research institute of roentgenology, oncology and others.

Rostov-on-Don is a cultural centre. Art and education was developing to a large extent due to activities of generous merchants. Even in the 19th century the literacy percent in the region was four times higher as compared to the rest of the country! Educational establishments (trade, nautical and painting schools) were opened and successfully operated in the city. In 1915 Warsaw University was evacuated to the city. Five cities competed for the right to place it, and Rostov-on-Don become the winner. Moreover Rostov accepted polytechnic school, conservatoire and commercial institute evacuated from Kiev.

From 1863 to 1887  36 newspapers and magazines were printed in Rostov. In 1909 a city museum opened. Since the middle of the 18th century there has been a theatre in the city. Libraries – including free public ones – were functioning.

The city remembers the names of its generous philanthropists, educational establishments, libraries, museums, churches and architectural monuments founders (such as Platon Troyankin, Ivan Suprunov, the Paramonov merchant family, the Asmolov dynasty and others).

Today there are Drama Gorky theatre, theatre for Children and Youth, musical comedy theatre, Marionette Theatre, circus and museums in Rostov.

Rostov-on-Don is the biggest transport centre – a five seas port and the place of the greatest in Europe railway knot, airway and motorway junction.

Rostov-on-Don is a beautiful southern city full of flowers and green grass during the warm seasons, the city with rich history and the glorious future.

That is how we see and love Rostov today!