Irkutsk was founded in 1661 on the place of the junction of the Angara and the Irkut Rivers. The Irkut River gave the name to the city. At first it was just a little wooden town, but it developed very fast, and 25 years later Irkutsk was given the status of the city. Today Irkutsk is one of the largest economical, industrial and cultural centers of Eastern Siberia. The citizens of the city believe that Irkutsk means for Siberia as much as Paris for France and London for England. The city really has much to offer: theaters, architectural and historical monuments amaze with their beauty. One of the most charming parts of Irkutsk is the city center with its green boulevards and the ensemble of the central square. Magnificent nature and closeness to the Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, also attract the tourists.
