Vladivostok

Vladivostok

Vladivostok was founded in 1860 as a military outpost, but its outstanding natural harbour soon brought it prosperity as a trading port. The city's nomination as the headquarters of the Russian Pacific fleet in the 1870s brought further growth, and by the twentieth century it had become a major center of international trade. During the Soviet era, Vladivostok's military role eclipsed its trading function, and the city was closed both to foreigners and to Soviet citizens lacking special entry permission. The name of this city means "The Mighty East" and until the breakdown of the Soviet Union was off-limits to foreigners and practically off-limits to most Soviet citizens. Today, however, it can be the first or last stop on your rail journey throughout Russia, and a worthwhile one at that. A major port and home of the Pacific Fleet, the city retains a strong Chinese and Japanese influence being close to the borders of both of these countries and is becoming Russia's high-living commercial centre in Asia.