The Ural mountains, which stretch for thousands of kilometers, divide the continent into two parts: Europe and Asia
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Sergey Poteryaev
The Ural mountains, which stretch for thousands of kilometers, divide the continent into two parts: Europe and Asia. There is no precise border between them (there are at least three versions), but many Ural towns are keen to erect a monument marking the border on their territory and consider it as a real honour. The most well-known obelisk is located on the Ekaterinburg-Perm highway. It was erected in 2004 and since then has become a popular spot for wedding ceremonies — couples want to take a photo in front of the symbolic border.
Sergey Poteryaev
The only gift shop here features Europe/Asia-themed souvenirs and gifts.
Sergey Poteryaev
The locals sell homegrown produce along the road. It’s a common sight in Russia.
Sergey Poteryaev
One of the oldest monuments is situated near Vershina station on the Trans-Siberian railway. It was put up on the eve of the USSR International Youth Festival in 1957 to tell visitors from the Far East and South-East Asia where Asia merges into Europe.
Sergey Poteryaev
A resident of Reshety village. Before 2004 Reshety was considered to lie in Asia, but when the obelisk was moved closer to the route, it turned out they are in fact Europeans.
Sergey Poteryaev
The village of Reshety was founded in Sverdlovsk region in 1735 by order of Empress Anna Ioannovna as a temporary refuge for the army.
Sergey Poteryaev
The first European/Asian waymark was put up in the Urals in 1837 on the Siberian route near the town of Pervouralsk on Mount Beryozovaya (Birch).
Sergey Poteryaev
A landowner along the Ekaterinburg-Perm highway tells of a widely discussed plan to build a giant stadium for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on the edge of Asia and Europe.
Sergey Poteryaev
Tire shop workers on the Revda-Degtyarsk road. There used to be an obelisk, but it was destroyed.
Sergey Poteryaev
According to one of the versions, the border is essentially formed by rivers. Pictured is a view of Kurganovo village (the European part) and the Chusovaya river.
