Comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow: geographical location, climate, history, planning and economic potential

Moscow is the official capital of Russia. However, the city of St. Petersburg is also very 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 look into this issue together!

Comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow: the main criteria

Moscow and St. Petersburg have passed Moscow-Moscow status to each other several times, like runners passing a baton to their colleagues on a treadmill. But even so, none of the cities lost its "metropolitanity". Both Moscow and St. Petersburg were and remain the centers of scientific, political and cultural life in their country.

"Two capitals" contrast sharply with other cities in Russia. At the same time, they are in many respects not similar and with each other. Comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow resulted in his works A.S. Pushkin and N.V. Gogol. It is also reflected in numerous folk proverbs: "Peter is the head, Moscow is the heart", "Peter marries, and Moscow marries", etc.

Our comparison of St. Petersburg and Moscow will be based on four criteria. It:

• Geographical position.
• Climate.
• History and planning of streets.
• Population and economic potential.

Criterion one: the geography of Moscow and St. Petersburg

Comparison of the two Russian megacities is most logical starting 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 same river. It is approximately the same distance from the nearest seas: Black, Baltic and White. The relief within Moscow is hilly and heterogeneous, the elevations 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 is one of the most important ports of the country. The relief of the city is flat and homogeneous, its distinctive feature is a large number of artificial waterways and canals.

Criterion two: climate

The climate of the capital is moderately continental, with pronounced seasons. The average annual precipitation is about 700 mm per year. Summer in Moscow is moderately warm and dry, winters are mild and with frequent frosts.

The climate of the "northern capital" is colder and more humid, transitional to the temperate-marine climate. Sunny days in the year are much less. A characteristic feature of St. Petersburg is the so-called "white nights", which last 50 days.

Criterion three: history and planning

Petersburg was founded in 1703 by the 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, historically formed radial-ring layout (the heart of the city - the Kremlin and the Red Square). In St. Petersburg, such a structure of streets could not be formed for objective geographical reasons (the coastal position of the city played a role). In addition, St. Petersburg was built according to a pre-planned plan with a rectangular layout of streets and thoroughfares.

Criterion Four: Population and Economy

More than 5 million people live in St. Petersburg. The population of Moscow is much larger - from 12 to 15 million people (according to different 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, the leading place belongs to machine building. However, St. Petersburg is more specialized in shipbuilding, while Moscow - in the production of space, aviation and computer technology.