St. Petersburg has played a vital role in Russian history since its founding in 1703. Peter the Great sought a sea outlet to the west and constructed a fleet on the Svir River, launching an attack on the fortress of Noteburg. Afterward, he captured the Swedish fortress of Nienshants, gaining control of the delta.
From 1712 to 1918, it was the capital of the Russian Empire and is remembered as the scene of the February and October Revolutions of 1917. The factory environment in St. Petersburg became a breeding ground for revolution, with the development of metalworking and engineering as primary industries. The city’s historical district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990.