3. Orenburg

Orenburg was founded in 1743. It was planned as a fortress and as a centre of commerce. In the 18^th century the development of Orenburg was slow. The population of the Orenburg province was multinational. In 1774 Orenburg was besieged by the Pugachov's army. The Orenburg province was the place of exile for many prominent people. In 1883 Orenburg was visited by A.S. Pushkin.

There are many interesting buildings in the old part of our town. When the Great Patriotic War broke out, our people did their best for the victory.

Now Orenburg is not only a big administrative and industrial centre of the Orenburg Region but also its cultural centre. There are several institutions of higher learning: the Orenburg State University, the State Pedagogical University, the Medical Academy and the State Agrarian Academy. The first world cosmonaut, Y.A. Gagarin studied at the Orenburg Flying School. There are many places of interest in Orenburg: the Museum of Regional Studies, the Fine Arts Museum, the Exhibition Hall, the Musical Hall. There are five theatres (Drama, Musical Comedy, two Puppet Theatres, the National Tatar Theatre) and the State Folk Choir.

3. Orenburg Region

The Orenburg region lies to the South-East of the European part of Russia. Its main river is the Ural River which flows into the Caspian Sea. The region occupies a very favourable geographical position. The Orenburg region is one of the largest in Russia. Its territory is 124000 square km.

The region's climate is sharp continental. The region is famous for the Buzuluk pine forest where one can meet wild animals: elks, deer, boars, wolves, foxes, hares, squirrels, black grouses and others. The steppes and old mountains occupy a large part of the region's territory.

The Orenburg region disposes of great amount of mineral resources: gas, oil, oil shale, brown and stone coal, ferrous and non-ferrous metal-ores, rare metals, stone salt, jasper and other. The Sol-Iletsk stone salt is distinguished by the unique purity.

The leading part in the industrial structure of the region belongs to the fuel and energy complex. The region disposes of favorable conditions for food-stuffs production: high-quality wheat, sun-flower seeds, fruit, vegetables, gourds, milk and meat. The Orenburg region is divided into 35 administrative districts. There are 12 towns in the region, among them are Orsk, Buzuluk, Kuvandyk and others. The region's population is more than 2.2 ml. people of more than 80 nationalities.

3. OSU

The OSU is a new one. It was founded in 1996. Its original name was the Orenburg Polytechnic Institute. The University offers programs at all levels of instruction.

At present there are 20 faculties at the University: the faculty of Economics and Finance, the faculty of Economics and Management, the faculty of Law etc. Students study in the daytime, evening and extra-mural departments. The University trains students in many specialties. It offers a 5-year course of study. During the academic year students attend lectures and classes and do laboratory work. They take their tests and examinations at the end of each term.

The University campus consists of teaching blocks, sport grounds, some buffets, a dining hall and 3 halls of residence. The University provides students with different facilities: laboratories, computer rooms, lecture halls and libraries.

3. Russia

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. Its total area is about 17 million square kilometers. In the south Russia borders on China, Mongolia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan. In the west it borders on Norway, Finland, the Baltic States, Byelorussia, the Ukraine. It also has sea-borders with the USA and Japan.

There are two great plains in Russia: the Great Russian Plain and the West Siberian Lowland. There are several mountains chains on the territory of the country: the Urals, the Caucasus, the Altai and others. There are over two million rivers in Russia. Europe's biggest river, the Volga, flows into the Caspian Sea. Russia is rich in beautiful lakes. The world's deepest lake is Lake Baikal. On the vast territory of the country there are various types of climate. Russia is very rich in oil, iron ore, natural gas, copper, nickel and other mineral resources.

Russia is a parliamentary republic. The Head of the State is the President. The legislative powers are exercised by the Duma. The capital of Russia is Moscow. It is its largest political, scientific, cultural and industrial centre. It's one of the oldest Russian cities.