Russia is the largest country in the world. Everything is big here: territory, population, and hospitality of people who live here.
You can find practically all kinds of natural habitats in Russia – severe Arctic zone, taiga forests, steppes and subtropical climate of the Black Sea coast. The Russian population is really diverse: ethnic Russians, hundreds of major and folk origin minor groups representing their own language and culture.
Russia is a good model of a multicultural society. Due to the variety of population and ethnical cultural diversity, long-term religious and traditional coexistence of major national groups and minority groups contributed to the positive image of the country.
Russian educational system is one of the most developed and advanced in the world. All state degrees and qualifications awarded to graduates, regardless a higher education institution type (university, academy or institute) are equal in their status.
Since 1992 Russian higher education introduced a multilevel system that enables higher education institutions to award:
Bachelor’s Degree (3−4 years of study);
Master’s Degree (2 years of post-graduate training after Bachelor’s);
Diploma of Specialist (5−6 years of study).
Diploma of Specialist and Master’s Degree offer graduates the opportunity to enter postgraduate and doctoral programs of study.
Why to choose for foreign students to study in Russia:
Strong foundation in education and R&D;
Low cost room and board, affordable tuition;
Cultural events experience;
Travel opportunities;
And others…
Altai
Altai Krai was founded in 1937. Barnaul is an administrative center of Altai Krai. Its population is 2.7 million (about 2% of Russian population): urban population is 52,4%, and rural population — 47,6%.
The landscape of Krai comprises three zones: mountains in the east, plains in the center, Kulundinskaya and Aleyskaya steppes in the west and southwest. The significant part of the territory is composed by the Altai Mountains, western hills of Salair and foothill areas. There are almost all natural habitats of Russia here — steppes and forest-steppes, taigas, mountains and abundant river ecosystems. The longest Siberian River Ob flows through the region. Today, Altai Krai consists of 60 districts.12 cities (Barnaul, Bijsk, Rubtsovsk — the largest) are located in its territory. More than 80 nationals populate the territory of Altai Krai. Russian ethnic group makes 85% of the population.
Ortoysky (later Gornoaltaysky) region was originally administered by Altai Krai. In 1990 the region became a self-administered constituent territory of the Russian Federation and later renamed the Republic of Altai in 1992.
The Republic of Altai is located in the heartland of Asia where Siberian taiga meets Kazakh steppes and desert hills of Mongolia. This highland region is rich in unique landscapes and boasts “Russian Tibet” in central Eurasia where several countries have their borders to share a crosswalk of cultures and climate zones.
The territory of the Republic of Altai borders with China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Water resources in Altai Mountains add to the beauty of the region. The unique natural wonders in the Republic of Altai such as Lake Teletskoye, Belukha Mountain, Altaisky and Katunsky nature reserves have entered the list of World Human Heritage under UNESCO.
Barnaul
Since 1937 Barnaul is an administrative centre of Altai Krai. Its population is 649,700 (289300 men and 360400 women on January 1, 2007).
The climate is continental. The average temperature in January is 17,5°C below zero, in July — 19,8°С above zero. Average annual precipitation is 477 mm.
The total city area is 322 sq. km. (780 streets, 11 avenues, 126 side roads and drive ways). Barnaul is a big transportation centre. South Siberian and Turkestan-Siberian railways connect the city with other regions. Expressways connect regional communities with Barnaul as well as Novosibirsk, Kuzbass, Kazakhstan; major airlines provide non-stop service to many cities in Russia and abroad.
Public transportation has 11 street car routes, 5 trolleybus, 51 bus routes and taxi service. Presently, Barnaul offers many educational and recreational advantages: 11 state and 8 non — governmental higher education institutions, 17 special secondary education institutions, 15 schools and lyceums, 112 comprehensive schools, 152 child care pre-school centers, 5 theatres, 3 museums, 7 parks, 40 libraries and 4 cinemas.
In 2006 Barnaul was recognized as one of the best Russian city in urban planning with nice clean streets and city landscapes that establish the identity of the city.
City entertainment offers state-of-the-art cinema experience in «Mir», «Rodina» and «Europe», four theatres (Regional Drama Theatre, Theatre of Musical Comedy, Youth Theatre of Altai and Puppet Theatre «Fairy Tale»), Philharmonic Society, a planetarium and a number of museums, galleries and exhibition halls (State Arts Museum, Museum of Literature History, Arts of Altai, Altai Museum for Regional Studies, Exhibition Hall of Altai Artists Union, Shchetinins Art Gallery, «Karmin» and «Turina Gora» art galleries, «Open Sky» pavilion, «Lukomorie” art gallery for children, etc.
City business center is located within the walking distance from the historical district. Hotels, bus terminal, railway station, post office, telegraph, office buildings, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, shops, entertaining complexes are conveniently located for customers in business and entertainment district.
Time zones difference between Moscow and Barnaul is +3 hours (midday in Moscow corresponds to 3 p.m. in Barnaul).
