Sosnovyi Bor is located in the northwest of Russia, 80 kilometres west of St. Petersburg.
The city of about 66,000 inhabitants is a nuclear industry location off-limits to outsiders.
The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in the city produces about one half of the electricity used in the region. Finland also imports some of the energy.
The city has numerous research and industrial plants closely linked with nuclear energy.
Most of the residents are connected with nuclear technology in one way or another. Most have moved to the city from outside.
The average level of education is above the Russian average. Unemployment is low.
More than half of the tax revenue of the atomic city comes from the nuclear power plant, which employs about 6,000 people.
Sosnovyi Bor (which means "pine forest") has many parks.
Sand dunes on the coast of the Gulf of Finland are sometimes 30 metres high. A 100-year-old pine forest grows on top of the dune area.
Near the city there is a wetland which is an important resting place for migratory birds.
Construction has caused damage to the fragile natural environment in the area in many places.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 14.5.2005
