Embodying the image of the new Russia, Ekaterinburg is one of the largest and the most dynamic cities in the country. It is an administrative capital of the Sverdlovsk Region and the Ural Federal District and an important centre for industry, transport, finance, science and culture. Lying in the middle of the Eurasian continent, where Europe meets Asia. This region has a moderately continental climate, where winters are cold and summers can be rather hot. As of 2009 census, Ekaterinburg has a population of 1,401,729 people and ranks fourth in Russia. Ekaterinburg is two hours ahead of Moscow and 5 hours ahead of Greenwich. A flight from Moscow to Ekaterinburg takes 2 hours, while a train trip takes 25 hours.