Prospekt (street)
Introduction Looking up Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg at nightMoskovsky Prospekt () is one of the longest in Saint Petersburg''Konstitucijos prospektas'' in Vilnius, LithuaniaProspekt Mira in Moscow (in 2009)'''Prospekt''' () is a Russian term describing a broad, multi-lane and very long straight street in urban areas, which serves as an arterial road. The use of "prospekt" as a road-related concept originated in the Russian Empire.As an urban area sprawls along transportation routes, the roads outside of city limits called ''chaussee'' (French for road surface) often also become converted into prospekts.
History In the first years of construction of St Petersburg (in the early 18th century), the city's broad ways were called "''perspectiva''" (, literally, visual or graphical perspective). One of the world-known prospekts of Petersburg is Nevsky Prospekt.The name "prospekt" was widely used in the USSR where it was traditionally used for the main avenues in the newly constructed cities and cities’ blocks. Later on, the term came into the national languages of the Soviet Republics which became independent states in 1991.
Etymology Russian lexicographer Vladimir Dal in his "Explanatory Dictionary of the Live Great Russian language" marked ''prospekt'' as a loanword from French. ''Prospekt'' is cognate with the English term ''prospect'', both derive from Latin ''prospectus'' "view, outlook". In the 18th century Russia, ''prospekt'' was used specifically for very long straight streets, especially in St. Petersburg, because they afforded a spectacular view from one end to the other when looking down them.
Notable streets named "Prospekt" * Nevsky Prospekt* Moskovsky Prospekt* Kutuzovsky Prospekt* Leningradsky Prospekt* Leninsky Prospekt
See also * Arterial road* Avenue* Boulevard* Link road* Parkway
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