Saratov's climate is moderately continental. The city has long but moderately cold winters and hot, often dry summers. The average temperature in February is -8.1 ° C, in July - + 22 ° C. The coat of arms of Saratov depicts three silver sterlets, which means their abundance in this area. The city is known as the center of higher education, research and scientific activities of the Volga region. Apart from one of the oldest universities in Russia, there are more than a dozen colleges in Saratov.