Petrozdvodsk is the capital of Karelia and the center of the Republic's industry, culture and science. There are more than 278,000 inhabitants. At the command of Peter the Great, the great iron foundry and cannon factory were built on the shores of Onega. Around the factory the Petrovskaya sloboda developed, which means the built-up area of St. Petersburg. The factory became famous because of the cannons and also because of the art castings. Gratings of the Tsarskoe Selo Alexander Palace and the Kronstadt Canal, as well as, cast handrails of the Neva and Moika rivers and cast handrails of the Catherine Canal made in Petrozavodsk are all preserved to this day. In 1777 at the command of Catherine the Great, the village was named Petrozavodsk.

Petrozavodsk has been built on the western shore of Onega. Its length and width are 10 km and 2 km, respectively. The harbour of the town carries freight and passenger traffic. The railway travels through Petrozavodsk and the region's main road extends north to the city of Petrozavodsk. There are two airports in Petrozavodsk.

Monuments:
A monument of Peter the Great, the founder of the town, was setup in 1873. Nowadays, the monument stands at the marina of Petrozavodsk. The grave of the Unknown Soldier, where the eternal flame is burning, and the grave of Brotherhood are located in Lenin Square. The Partizan monument is on Engel Street.

Events, Programs
The day of town
The day of the town is celebrated on the last Saturday in June. City for the children's festival is on the first of September. There is entertainment for the kids, a jubilee show "Rainbow on Hands", a sporty estrade show and quiz shows.
On the first Sunday of summer the festival of dance, song and happiness is celebrated in Kizhi. The accordion plays and the whirl of the ring dancer conquers the big square.
In Petrozavodsk there are many different types of sporting events
Various skiing events during the winter draw people together on the Onega ice in Petrozavodsk.

The Onega Regatta
During the summer bright colored sails are dimly seen in the middle of the lake. The Pan Russian regatta has been held every summer for 24 years in Petrozavodsk. The arrangements for Onega races go on summer and winter. All kinds of Karelian sports participate in the races. The Intenlational Karelian Turn-run route goes through Petrozavodsk. The start and finish of that race are in Kajaani, Finland.