If you look at the map of Russia you will see a lot of great and small cities and towns. Among them the city of Yoshkar-Ola (“Red City”), our native city, takes quite a modest place. It is not so famous and beautiful as Moscow, St. Petersburg. Suzdal or Novgorod but Yoshkar-Ola is a wonderful city with its modern architecture, green parks and boulevards and its own history which dates back to the 16th century.
Yoshkar-Ola is the capital of the Mari Republic, its political, economic, cultural and scientific center with the population of about 290,000 people. The city has some theatres, 9 schools of higher education, a Research Institute, a Museum of Local Studies, a Fine Arts Museum, a lot of schools, libraries and recreation centers. And a very picturesque countryside.
For a long time Yoshkar-Ola has been an important industrial center with more than 50 enterprises producing refrigerators, radio-parts, tools, bicycles, vitamins, artificial leather, fur goods, clothes, furniture, etc.
Yoshkar-Ola is the administrative and political center of the republic. The residence of the Mari President is located there. The government of our republic works there too. They occupy a 7-storey gray building in Leninsky Prospect, one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city. Opposite the building of the Government there is one of the highest buildings - the "Yoshkar-Ola" hotel crowned with the musical clock, which plays the melodies of Russian and Mari composers.
Near the clock you can see the coat of arms of the city. The national emblem includes a picture of an elk under a white snowflake with a cog inside against the red-blue background of the shield. These signs symbolize everything in which our republic is rich and strong.
The "Yoshkar-Ola" hotel and the Government building are part of the modern architectural ensemble. Another architectural ensemble can be seen in Lenin Square which is the heart of the capital. It is very attractive. One can't but admire the buildings of Mari State University, Mari Technical University and the Mari National Drama Theatre which is also the Theatre of Opera and Ballet. In the center of the square there is a monument to V. I. Lenin by the famous sculptor M. Manizer. This monument reminds us of our past.
One of the most impressive places of interest is the Memorial to the Military Glory erected in honor of those who perished in World War II. The Memorial with its monument and the Eternal Fire adds much to the beauty of the city famous for its green streets, parks and boulevards. Due to numerous green spaces the city is especially beautiful in summer and in spring when it is buried in green trees and bright flowers.
The city of Yoshkar-Ola is new and young. Here and there you can see modern construction sites. The city is constantly changing and striding to its future.