Vladivostok has officially become the capital of the Far Eastern Federal District. President Putin signed the corresponding order, as expected. To recall, Oleg Kozhemyako, the Acting Governor of Primorsky Krai, proposed this suggestion and Putin supported the initiative.
Vladivostok is a city and a port in the Far East of Russia. It's the political, cultural, economic, and administrative center of Primorsky Krai. Its population is over 600,000 people. Vladivostok is the link between the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Pacific sea lanes. It's one of the largest ports in the Far Eastern basin and the main base of the Pacific Fleet.
Vladivostok is in third place by the number of foreign representation offices, outnumbered only by Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. 23 countries have consulates in the city. An office of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is there as well. Vladivostok annually holds international conferences, including the Eastern Economic Forum. The city hosted the first APEC Summit in Russia in 2012.
It's attractive to tourists because it's the closest city of the Asia-Pacific Region with European culture. The Forbes Rating listed it among the 10 best Russian cities for holidays and tourism. It's included in the Far East tourism development program "Eastern Ring".
The Primorye Scene of the Mariinsky Theater was opened as part of the program. They also plan to open branches of the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the State Museum of Oriental Art.
It's also the largest education and science center in the Far Eastern region. The Far Eastern Federal University and the Far Eastern office of the Russian Academy of Science are situated in the city.
