Samara Region is often referred to as the heart of Russia, and not just because of the shape of its borders. It's where the destinies of numerous peoples who settled the Volga region at different times intertwine. The main waterway of Russia, the Volga, flows through the Samara Region, along with major transport corridors from north to south and east to west. Our region boasts unique nature reserves and is home to the country's third-largest urban agglomeration, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. The region's economy is driven by high-tech industries. All manned space flights, including Yuri Gagarin's historic mission, were launched using rockets produced in Samara. Togliatti is a recognized leader in the domestic automobile industry. The special economic zone of Togliatti ranks among the top three investment destinations in the country. One of Russia's leading high-tech technology parks, Zhigulevskaya Dolina, is also located here.