Uniquely located on the geographical borderline of Europe and Asia, and at the foot of the Ural Mountains, Ekaterinburg has a population of 1.37 million. Founded in: 1723 Population: 1,372,800 Distance to Moscow: 1755 km The city was founded by a decree of Peter I the Great. Ekaterinburg is the fourth largest city in Russia in terms of population, and is one of twelve Russian cities with a population of over a million. During the 18th century, the city became known as Russia’s iron making centre, and it is now a modern city with world-class infrastructure that includes an efficient metro system and an excellent airport. The city is also one of Russia’s most well-known centres for the arts and one of Russia’s leading sports centres. Ekaterinburg athletes have won over 135 medals at the Olympic Games. Ekaterinburg has the third largest number of diplomatic missions in the country (after Moscow and St Petersburg).