The Dniper crosses the city from the east to west and divides it into practically equal two parts. The surface of the banks creates the impression of the hill country. Smolensk had a profitable geographical situation as it is situated on the trade ways from Moscow to Byelorussia, to Lithuania and to the countries of Central and Western Europe.

The year of foundation: It was first mentioned in 863 in historical chronicles of Ustyuzh. Smolensk is an administrative, industrial and cultural center of Smolensk region. The legislative body: Smolensk City Council is elective and representative body of legislative power. It exercises the power to represent the interests of Smolensk citizens and to take the decisions under their name.

Smolensk City Council is composed of 25 deputes elected by the citizens of Smolensk for 4 years on the directed elections. It takes the decisions at the collective order. The executive body. The Administration of Smolensk is the body that possesses the executive power under the Decrees of City Administration, City Council and the Head of the City Administration. It includes the City Administration and the regional Administrations.

The Head of the Administration is appointed by the City Council on the competitive base. The Head of the Administration signs the contract. The territory of Smolensk covers 166.35 square km. including
the Over the Dniper district - 101.41 square km.
the Industrial district - 41.23 square km.
the Lenin district - 23.71 square km.
The number of population is 340.2 thousand people (on January 1, 2003)

CLIMATE
The climate of Smolensk is moderate - continental with a warm summer and cold winter. It is formed under the influence of humid Atlantic air masses but in any time there is possibility of the coming Artic air masses. The average annual temperature is 4,6 degrees above zero. The coldest month is January (-9,4 degrees), the warmest is July (17,1 degrees). The fogs are possible during 103 days per year. The thunders are during 28 days per year. The bad weather dominates in Smolensk (178 days). The winds of western, southwestern and southern directions predominate here. The average level of humidity is 81%