Ekaterinburg is located 1667 km from Moscow, on the eastern slope of the Middle Urals along the bank of the Iset River. This part of the Ural Mountains serves as a natural gateway from the central regions of Russia to Siberia which has favorably influenced the development of the city over the course of history. Ekaterinburg was formed as a strategically important center of Russia which still provides a connection between the European and Asian parts of the country. This largest administrative, cultural, scientific and educational center of the region is often referred to as the capital of the Urals.