The name Stavropol is a Russian rendition of a Greek name “Stauropolis” meaning “The City of the Cross”. Legend has it that soldiers found a huge cross made out of stone when they were building the fortress in the future city location. By early 19th Century, the city grew into a busy trade center of the Northern Caucasus. An Episcopal church was established in the city in 1843, and in 1847 the city became the administrative center of the Province.

The first and only Executive President of the Soviet Union, Mr Mikhail Gorbachov was born in Stavropol Krai and spent several years working in the city of Stavropol as head of the Krai’s administration.

With an abundance of trees and flowers in the streets, parks and squares, Stavropol is today among the greenest cities in Russia. There are a number of historical monuments, museums and other tourist attractions including a mountain ski resort nearby. For entertainment, there are different sports facilities, concert halls, bars and restaurants. For the religiously inclined, the city has orthodox churches, mosques etc.

Stavropol is connected by air, rail and road to Moscow & other cities of Russia. There is an international airport at Mineralnye Vody about 180 km away, about 2 hours by bus.

The average temperature is + 26°C in summer and -6°C in winter