The population began experiencing economic hardship as the reforms went on. In 1991, after a city-wide referendum, the city of Leningrad got back its old name, St. Petersburg. Now, in the second half of the 90s, St. Petersburg is still in a transition period, both economically and socially. While the city's industry is still in recession, services and retail sales are gradually improving, though economically St. Petersburg is still far behind Moscow. On the social side, the younger generations are coping with the change quite well, but unemployment is high, employment prospects for those over 45 are dim and pensioners struggle desperately to make ends meet. After all, St. Petersburg is the most beautiful city of the world and we ought to prove that. We love it and we are convinced that you'll love it too.

So, welcome to St. Petersburg, a marvelous city on the Baltic Sea, which is ready to step into the 21st century and will be glad to unveil its treasures before you...

The End