Krasnodar is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai. The city stands on the Kuban River in Southern Russia, with a population of 932,629 residents, up to 1 million residents in the urban agglomeration. Krasnodar is the sixteenth-largest city in Russia, and the second-largest city in Southern Russia, as well as the Southern Federal District.

The city originated in 1793 as a fortress built by the Cossacks, and became a trading center for southern Russia. The city sustained heavy damage in World War II but was rebuilt and renovated after the war. Krasnodar is a major economic hub in southern Russia. In 2012, Forbes named Krasnodar the best city for business in Russia. Krasnodar is home to numerous sights, including Krasnodar Stadium. Its main airport is Krasnodar International Airport.

Krasnodar is the largest city and capital of Krasnodar Krai by population and the second-largest by area. It is the 17th-largest city in Russia as of 2010. It is located on the right bank of the Kuban River. It is 1300 km south of the Russian capital, Moscow. The Black Sea is lies 120 km to the west.