Get to Know Sochi Ahead of the Winter Games

The city has a long and storied history, having been inhabited since the ancient Greek and Roman times. In 1829, the coastal area was ceded to Russia from the Ottoman Empire, and Sochi became an official city in 1914. Its popularity as a travel spot first gained steam thanks to Joseph Stalin, who called Sochi his favorite retreat and helped to transform the area into a popular resort town. With its waterfront location and nice weather, it's remained one of Russia's key vacation destinations, drawing tourists year round.