As the great Russian writer Dostoevsky has said: «Saint-Petersburg — special, „premeditated“ city». It is not similar to one another in the world for quite objective historical and geographical reasons. Here are some features forming its image.
Saint-Petersburg is the youngest of the larger European cities. Even the district where it is located has arisen rather recently — by then Confucius had already created his basic compositions, Buddha had passed his terrain way, had been written «Odisseya» and «Illiada», Egypt had been invaded by Persians. The hoary antiquity is not presented here, but the post-Peter’s Russia is presented here better, than in any other city of Russian empire. Also the architecture of neo-classics, eclecticism and modern are kept here more than anywhere in the world. The historical centre of Petersburg and palace complexes of suburbs are in the UNESCO the of the world heritage.
Saint-Petersburg is the most northern city of larger cities of the world and largest city of the 
northern ones: the 60th parallel where it is located passes through Greenland, Alaska (the city of Anchorage), Magadan and the capital of Norway — Oslo. Therefore one of the main things attracting tourists here — the white nights, a wonderful time from May till July when even at midnight it is light enough outdoors and city does not sleep almost. The obverse case is terrible winters — slushy, dirty and frosty. In combination with high humidity it is rubbing through hardly.
The river Neva, the main artery of Saint-Petersburg is a mighty dwarf. 
Having the length of only 74 kilometres it bears more water than Dnieper or Don. At all it isn't a river, but a channel between Ladoga and the Baltic. The place has been considered rotten for centuries: devastating floodings, vile wind, mosquitoes. Therefore Peter’s decision to found here new Russian capital seemed (and was) a perfect absurdity. But the genius overcomes circumstances.
Saint-Petersburg is the champion of the Europe concerning bridges and the vice-champion concerning 
channels and islands. Together with suburbs the city encounters 64 rivers and 48 channels, 170 kilometers of quays, about 100 islands, 800 bridges (there is more channels and islands in Venice, but there is less bridges). The number of walking boats, motor boats, steam-ships increases in Saint-Petersburg every year, and it is inexcusable not to use an opportunity to sight-see city from the water.
Saint-Petersburg is a stable city. For the last 100 years twice (during the Civil War and the Siege of Leningrad) it seemed like a neutron bomb has been blown up over the city: the population died out, but the buildings remained practically untouched. But Saint-Petersburg was restoring its spirit and character every time.
Saint-Petersburg is a dangerous city for the authorities. Before revolution the heir to the throne czarevitch Alexey Petrovich, three emperors — Peter III, Paul I and Alexander II, two Ministers of Foreign Affairs, one town governor (another one was hardly wounded) here have been killed. Since its foundation the city had five palace revolutions, the revolt of decembrists and three revolutions. The Bolsheviks have shot three dukes. Nine members of the communist heads were shot down, the other one — Kirov was killed under mysterious circumstances, and the other one — Zhdanov — probably was poisoned. The terror and reprisals were not occasional: the spirit of opposition have always been strong in Saint-Petersburg.
Saint-Petersburg is the biggest non-capital city in Europe. Since the beginning of the 19th century it has been remaining the fourth on population European city, surpassing or lagging Berlin, Vienna, Naples and Moscow, but always being behind Paris and London. Nowadays its is still forth in the overall standings after Moscow, Paris, London and Berlin.
The transfer of the capital to Moscow in 1918 has partly redound to Saint-Petersburg’s advantage. It gave the ability to save up surprisingly high percentage of old buildings. In the Soviet years Leningrad was considered to be a provincial city, and there were not enough money to erect masterpieces of socialist architecture and were not enough dynamite to demolish churches. Housing development was conducted in the suburbs. As the result here is a great variety of stone dwellings of the pre-revolutionary period — approximately 8000 buildings are kept. From the Obvodny channel to Bolshaya Nevka and from Alexander Nevsky Lavra to commercial harbour the city has remained almost the same as it was in 1917.
When Saint-Petersburg has lost its capital status, the mentality of its citizens has changed. Generally they 
are poorer than Muscovites and are not so unconditionally affable; the tempo of living here is less intensive. But it is hard to meet so many experts of local sights in any other city. It is the city of madmen, erudites and unrecognised geniuses. Arrogance, inexplicable haughtiness of locals cause feasible irritation of Muscovites. But without its snobbery, dislike of familiarity and perhaps even painful self-esteem Saint-Petersburg and its citizens would not be by themselves.
During the 20th century the city has been changing its name for three times — an unprecedented thing. Till 1914 it was Saint-Petersburg, up to 1924 — Petrograd, up to 1991 — Leningrad, and since then it was again Saint-Petersburg. 
Many Russian and foreign people of art and politicians were born or have lived in Saint-Petersburg. Among them were Russian Emperors and Empresses; writers and poets: Fedor Dostoevsky, Aiyn Rand, Vladimir Nabokov, Alexander Pushkin, Joseph Brodsky, Ivan Bunin, Sergey Dovlatov; composers: Modest Musorgsky, Peter Ilich Chajkovsky, Igor Stravinsky, Dmitry Shostakovich; artists: James MakNejll Uistler, Kazimir Malevich; scientists: Leonard Euler, Michael Lomonosov, Henry Shliman, Alfred Nobel; ballet masters: Vislav Nizhinsky, Anna Pavlova, Georges Balanchin, Rudolf Nureev; politicians: John Kuinsi Adams, Ignaciy Avreliy Fessler, Lenin, Vladimir Putin and others.
