Ekaterinburg is a city in Russia, formerly known as Sverdlovsk. It lies along the Iset River, which is a tributary of the Tobol River, and on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains. Ekaterinburg is situated 1,036 miles (1,667 km) east of Moscow. It is a major manufacturing site and, at 1,3 million , Russia's third largest city. The city was founded in 1723 and named after tsar Peter the Great's wife Yekaterina. Tsar Nicholas and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in this city. During the Soviet period this city's name was changed to the evermore romantic 'Sverdlovsk', which remains the name of the region of which it serves as capital.The transfer of much Soviet industry from European USSR to the less vulnerable Urals during World War II further stimulated the growth of Sverdlovsk. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the name of Ekaterinburg was restored to the city. Today it is a large industrial city with one foot in Europe, the other in Asia. Ural Relcom maintains an English-language site, as does Reliz. Ekaterinburg and towns around it have wonderful, historical and often unique architecture which can be attractive for your eyes and interesting to compare. Ekaterinburg offers also a wide range of museums, theatres, discos, clubs and restaurants for you to enjoy.