Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,243,500, it is the sixth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia, about 715 kilometres east from Moscow. In the Late Middle Ages, Kazan was an important trade and political center within the Golden Horde. In 1438, the city became the capital of the Khanate of Kazan. In the following centuries, Kazan grew to become a major industrial, cultural and religious center in Russia. Kazan is renowned for its vibrant mix of Oriental and Russian cultures. In 2015, 2.1 million tourists visited Kazan, and 1.5 million tourists visited the Kazan Kremlin, a World Heritage Site.In April 2009, the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the right to brand itself as the «Third Capital» of Russia. In 2009 it was chosen as the «sports capital of Russia»and it still is referred to as such.

After the disintegration of the Golden Horde in the 15th century, Kazan became the capital of an independent khanate. It developed as an important trading centre; annual fairs were held on an island in the Volga. In 1469 Ivan III captured Kazan, but his puppet khan organized a massacre of all Russians in the town in 1504. Finally in 1552 Ivan IV the Terrible captured Kazan after a long siege and subjugated the khanate. The old Tatar fortress was rebuilt as a Russian kremlin, the white walls and towers of which survive as a feature of the modern skyline.

• Kazan was one of the host cities for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2019 WorldSkills Championship
• Kazan is one of 15 Russian cities with population of more than 1 million
• The largest river of Eastern Europe – Volga river – flows through Tatarstan
• The warmest month is July with daily mean temperature near 20.2 °C (68.4 °F), and the coldest month is January, with a daily mean of ?10.4 °C (13.3 °F). The record low temperature in January has been ?46.8 C (?52.2 F)
• Kazan is home to one of the largest mosques in Europe, the Qol?ärif Mosque
• Kazan’s Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only remaining Tatar fortress intact in Russia
   

Kazan is the capital of the republic. It is divided into seven districts. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as the city of republic significance of Kazan—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the city of republic significance of Kazan is incorporated as Kazan Urban Okrug.
 

As Siberia was opened up, Kazan’s trading importance greatly increased, and industry developed in the 18th century; by 1900 it was one of the chief manufacturing cities of Russia. In its wide range of industries, some long-established ones still flourish on a large scale: soapmaking, leatherworking, shoemaking, and fur preparation. New industries include oil refining, electrical and precision engineering, and chemical production. Linen and foodstuffs are also produced. In 1920 Kazan became the capital of the Tatar A.S.S.R. (now Tatarstan, Russia).

Kazan is one of the largest industrial and financial centers of Russia, and a leading city of the Volga economic region in construction and accumulated investment. City's Gross Regional Product had reached 380 billion rubles in 2011.Total banking capital of Kazan banks is third in Russia. The main industries of the city are: mechanical engineering, chemical, petrochemical, light and food industries. An innovative economy is represented by the largest IT-park in Russia which is one of the largest of its kind among Eastern Europe science parks. Kazan ranks 174th (highest in Russia) in Mercer’s Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.

A unique combination of historic city and modern megalopolis attracts tourists to Kazan. More than 1,000,000 tourists visited Kazan in 2010. Kazan Kremlin attracts more than 200,000 tourists per year.There are more than 83 hotels (5700 accommodations) in the city
 

The staging of the 1,000th anniversary, followed by the preparations for the 2013 Summer Universiade, transformed Kazan into a modern city. Thirty new sports venues were built for the Universiade, including the Universiade Village, which is currently used as a campus for students and accommodation for participants in international events. Guests to Kazan benefit from the new airport terminal, the high-speed train that connects the airport and the city centre, new hotels and traffic interchanges, a renovated railway station, city road enhancements, and new metro stations.

New public open spaces such as parks, squares, and embankments are being created and regularly renovated for citizens of Kazan, and its visitors.

Kazan metro is included in the Guinness Book as the shortest metro in the world. The way from one side to another is just 10 stations and will take you only 10 minutes. Interesting fact: Kazan metro was the only one which was built after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

A long-planned construction of a new toll highway between Moscow and Kazan will start in 2020. The new project envisions the construction of the highway divided into stages and starting from two flagship sections – from Moscow to Vladimir bypassing Vladimir, the construction of which is planned to be launched in 2020, as well as the southern bypass of Kazan. Works on the first section are planned to be completed by 2024.