Saint Petersburg

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/saint-petersburg

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Saint Petersburg built?May 27, 1703, by Tsar Peter the Great
2. How many people live in Saint Petersburg?Approximately 5.4 million people, making it Russia's second-largest city
3. What is the imperial capital?Served as the capital of the Russian Empire from 1712 to 1918
4. What is the UNESCO world heritage site?The historic center and related groups of monuments were designated in 1990
5. What is Saint Petersburg famous for?Saint Petersburg is known for its beautiful palaces, canals, and the huge State Hermitage Museum that holds millions of art pieces. It also has the world‑famous Mariinsky Theatre where ballet and opera are performed.
6. Why did Peter the Great build Saint Petersburg?Peter the Great built the city to modernize Russia and make it a powerful European nation. He wanted a new capital that looked like the great capitals of Europe.

Autocratic Reforms: Changes implemented by a ruler with absolute power, often aimed at modernizing or strengthening the state.
Baroque and Neoclassical Architecture: Distinct architectural styles characterized by grandeur, elaborate ornamentation (Baroque), and classical influences (Neoclassical).
Bolsheviks: A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that seized power in the October Revolution of 1917.
Siege of Leningrad: A prolonged military blockade by German forces during World War II, causing immense civilian suffering and loss of life.