Quote: "Yakutsk is one of the oldest cities in Siberia . Founded on September 25, 1632 on the right bank of the Lena River by Cossack Peter Beketov. It was considered to be the most important Russian outpost in the north-eastern Asia... The stockaded town changed location several times because of the Lena River. Spring flooding with its deep waters and ices had demolished fortifications and inhabitants' houses. Yakutsk was eventually moved to Tuymaada Valley... The city that used to have wood buildings, board walks, corduroy roads, bell rings, and rich fair squares, became a thing of the past. Historical originality lost among mirror-like present-day office buildings. The capital of the republic is full of contrasts in climate, architecture, and people. This is the place I was born in."