Krasnodar was founded at the end of the 18th century by order of Russian Empress Catherine the Great. Built by the Cossacks, the fortress was the center of the Chernomorsky Cossacks' army. The city is located on the banks of the Kuban River. By the end of the 19th century Krasnodar was turned into a trading, industrial and transport center of the Kuban region. The industries of Krasnodar include food processing, engineering and oil refining as the city is linked by pipeline with the Caspian oilfields. Nowadays Krasnodar is also the religious center of the Kuban region. It is famous for its beautiful Orthodox churches and cathedrals. In the museums of Krasnodar the visitors can see archeologists' finds and outstanding works of art, which allow learning more about the history of Krasnodar.
