Sverdlovsk, now known as Yekaterinburg, is a major city in the Ural Mountains of Russia. It serves as the administrative center of Sverdlovsk Oblast and is one of the largest cities in the country. Founded in 1723, it has a rich industrial history and is known for its significant role in the Russian economy. The city is named after Yakov Sverdlov, a Bolshevik leader, and was renamed in 1924. Yekaterinburg is also famous for its cultural landmarks, including the Church on the Blood, built on the site where the Romanov family was executed in 1918, and its vibrant arts scene.