Moscow, Russia
The city of Moscow, founded in 1147, is now a modern center for international trade with more than 10 million inhabitants. It has retained much of its old-world character, including many opulent buildings capped with the traditional "onion domes" often associated with the city. Moscow honors its rich literary tradition and has preserved the homes of some of the world's best writers, including Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. The arts remain an integral part of daily life for many Muscovites, who take full advantage of inexpensive tickets for live dance, music and theater performances. In the post-Soviet era, Russia exhibits a vibrant, creative spirit, visible in radical new theater productions and audible in the rap and world-beat music heard on the streets.
