Northwestern
The Northwestern Federal District occupies the northern part of the European territory of the country. It borders Finland and Norway to the west, the Central and Volga Federal Districts to the south, the Urals Federal District to the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north. The region also includes the exclave of Kaliningrad and a number of uninhabited islands in the Arctic Ocean. This is the second-most important economical administrative unit of Russia, after the Central Federal District. The biggest city here is St. Petersburg, a huge metropolis considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Built on a desolate moorland only 300 years ago with the special purpose to be a royal residence, the northern city rapidly developed into the cultural capital of Russia. As the venue for the October Revolution, St. Petersburg has played an important role in the world's modern history. An abundance of palaces, architectural masterpieces and rich cultural programmes attract millions of tourists. The Medieval city of Kaliningrad is also a first-class attraction in itself. The absolutely flat terrain covered with woods and eternal ice in the extreme north is a paradise for nature-lovers and romantics.