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Stavropol
is beautifully situated among hills and valleys of Stavropol
Region Plato. The highest points measure from 750 to 2150
feet above the sea level. The city takes 75 square miles of
beautiful landscape.
One
of the city streets is named "45th parallel", which precisely
reflects its geographical position. Thus, Stavropol
is situated exactly half way between the North Pole and the
Equator.
The
city's geographical position is also peculiar | because of the fact that, founded on the highest point of the North Caucuses Mountains, it stands at the origin of the streams, creeks, and rivers that supply both Black and Caspian Seas with pure mountain water. That central location, from the very start gave Stavropol an important political and economical role, which has been summarized in the city slogan: "Stavropol is the gate to the Caucuses". The city was founded on October 22, 1777, as one of the fortresses of the Asov-Mosdok defense line. | In 1785 it has acquired the status of the city. In Greek, "Stavropol" means "The City of The Cross". The legend says that when the soldiers of the Vladimir Division started the construction of the fortress in 1777, they had discovered a big stone cross under the ground. The famous Russian historian, Mr. G. N. Prozritelev attributed this to his theory, which holds that the Cross belonged to the first Christians, who had found there an asylum from their enemies. | He thought that the discovery of the Cross led to the city's name. Time proved this name to be historically justified. Not just because it reflected the fact of the discovery of the Cross, but also because later Stavropol played a major role in spreading the Christianity throughout the North Caucuses. According to the city officials, about 350,000 people live in Stavropol today. The city is one of the Russia's leaders in street flower decorations. |
