In distant times, parts of California and Hawaii were administered from the city of Irkutsk.

The development is in an area of the world that claims to have one of the highest number of sightings of a legendary creature also known as Bigfoot.

The Australian travel company is revolutionising the image of Siberia in the outside world.

Homage to the remarkable bravery of sailors and troops who repelled the Germans in the only World War Two combat action in Siberia.

Transit passengers from 20 countries will be allowed 72 hours in Russia without the hassle of obtaining a visa.

Possible route could see 400km/hour bullet train pass through heart of Siberia and Altai region with stops in major cities.

New 'plug-in' cars coping well with harsh climate and landscape and were even recharged overnight in remote taiga at -33C.

Tatiana Andreeva, 20, has been jailed for 7 years in a controversial case that is becoming a cause celebre on the web.