Moscow is the official capital of Russia. However, the city of St. Petersburg is also often called the capital - cultural or Northern. In this article you will find a detailed comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow. What is the difference between these two cities? And what do they have in common? Let's figure it out together!
Comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow: main criteria
Moscow and St. Petersburg have been transferred to each other several times in the history of the capital, like runner athletes passing a baton to their colleagues on a treadmill. But even despite this, not one of the cities has lost its “capitalism”. Both Moscow and St. Petersburg have been and remain centers of scientific, political and cultural life in their country.
“Two capitals” sharply contrast with other cities of Russia. At the same time, they are in many ways not similar to each other. A comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow was given in their works by A.S. Pushkin and N.V. Gogol. It is also reflected in numerous proverbs: “Peter is the head, Moscow is the heart”, “Peter is getting married, and Moscow is getting married,” etc.
Our comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow will be based on four criteria. It:
- Geographical position.
- Climate.
- History and street layout.
- Population and economic potential.
The first criterion: the geography of Moscow and St. Petersburg
Comparison of two Russian cities is most logical to begin with an analysis of the geographical location of each of them.
So, Moscow is located in the center of the European part of Russia, on both banks of the river of the same name. It is approximately equally distant from the nearest seas: the Black, Baltic and White. The relief within Moscow is hilly and heterogeneous, and the elevation differences within the city reach 140 meters.
The city of St. Petersburg is located on the northwestern edge of the European part of Russia, off the coast of the Baltic Sea. It houses one of the most important ports in the country. The relief of the city is flat and uniform, its distinctive feature is a large number of artificial waterways and canals.
Criterion Two: Climate
The climate of the capital is temperate continental, with distinct seasons. The average annual rainfall is about 700 mm per year. Summer in Moscow is moderately warm and dry, winter is light snow and with frequent frosts.
The climate of the “northern capital” is colder and more humid, transitional to the temperate sea. There are much less sunny days per year. A characteristic feature of St. Petersburg is the so-called “white nights”, which last 50 days.
Criterion Three: History and Layout
Petersburg was founded in 1703 by decree of Peter the Great. The age of Moscow is much more solid. It was founded by Prince Yuri long-armed in the middle of the XII century.
In Moscow, a radially ring layout has historically formed (the heart of the city is the Kremlin and Red Square). In St. Petersburg, such a street structure could not be formed due to objective geographical reasons (the coastal position of the city played a role). In addition, St. Petersburg was built according to a preplanned plan with a rectangular layout of streets and driveways.
Fourth Criterion: Population and Economics
More than 5 million people live in St. Petersburg. The population of Moscow is much larger - from 12 to 15 million inhabitants (according to various estimates).
The similarity of the two Russian capitals is manifested in the economic sphere. Both cities are the most important financial, industrial and scientific centers of the country. In the industry of both megacities, engineering dominates. True, St. Petersburg is more specialized in shipbuilding, while Moscow is more specialized in the production of space, aviation and computer equipment.