Moscow is one of the biggest cities in Europe and is Russia's main political, economic, financial, educational, and transportation center, located in the western part of the country. It is the most populous city in Russia with official population totaling 10.5 million residents.
The city dates its relatively short history from the beginning of the 12th century when it was only a small provincial wooden town in a powerful and a wealthy state of Kievan Rus.
City Mayor Yuri Luzhkov laid flowers on Saturday to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin wall and addressed the crowd of local residents, who traditionally gathered near Red Square to celebrate the city's birthday.
"Moscow is a young city that enjoys fast growth, accomplishes social tasks, resolves urgent problems concerning young people and children," Luzhkov said.
The mayor also met with heads of delegations from other regions of Russia, neighboring countries and twin-cities who came to Moscow to participate in the festivities.
