Today, nearly 4.7 million people live in St. Petersburg. Built on 42 islands at the delta of the Neva River, with almost 500 bridges and countless canals, St. Petersburg is often described as the Venice of the North. The beauty of this city lies in the unique harmony of its architecture: the dominant waterways give the historic buildings of baroque, classical, and Jewish styles an incomparable character. St. Petersburg is remarkable for its old town and priceless cultural heritage. It also provides an attractive environment for students who wish to learn Russian during a language stay.