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Russia also officially known as the Russian Federation is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects. Russia is a vast and diverse nation that continues to evolve politically, economically, and socially.
At 17,075,400 square kilometers (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is by far the largest country in the world, covering more than a ninth of the Earth’s land area. Russia is also the ninth most populous nation in the world with 142 million people.
It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 9 time zones and incorporating a wide range of environments and landforms. Russia has the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources, and is considered an energy superpower. It has the world’s largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world’s fresh water.
As Russia moves forward into the 21st century, it leaves behind a turbulent history of tyranny and a crippled economy: from Ivan the Terrible to Peter the Great, from the fall of the tsars to the dictatorship of the Soviet government. Today it is a nation embracing its newfound freedom and future potential, whilst enjoying a renewal of the rich cultural heritage of its past.
General Info:
Capital: Moscow
Coordinates: 55°45′N 37°37′E
Official language: Russian official throughout the country; 27 others co-official in various regions
Area: 17,075,400 km2
Population: 141,927,297(2010 est)
Currency: Ruble (RUB)
Time zone: (UTC+2 to +11 (exc. +4))
Drives on the right
Calling code: +7
Administrative divisions: 49 oblasts (, 21 republics*, 10 autonomous okrugs, 6 krays, 2 federal cities, and 1 autonomous oblast)
History
Tradition says the Viking Rurik came to Russia in 862 and founded the first Russian dynasty in Novgorod. The various tribes were united by the spread of Christianity in the 10th and 11th centuries; Vladimir “the Saint” was converted in 988.
The political entity known as Kievan Rus was established in Kiev in 962 and lasted until the 12th century. In the 10th century, Christianity became the state religion under Vladimir, who adopted Greek Orthodox rites.
During the 11th century, the grand dukes of Kiev held such centralizing power as existed. In 1240, Kiev was destroyed by the Mongols, and the Russian territory was split into numerous smaller dukedoms.
In the post-Mongol period, Muscovy gradually became the dominant principality and was able, through diplomacy and conquest, to establish suzerainty over European Russia
Early dukes of Moscow extended their dominion over other Russian cities through their office of tribute collector for the Mongols and because of Moscow’s role as an administrative and trade center.
Over the next centuries, various invaders assaulted the Kievan state and, finally, Mongols under Batu Khan destroyed the main population centers except for Novgorod and Pskov in the 13th century and prevailed over the region until 1480. Some historians believe that the Mongol period had a lasting impact on Russian political culture.
In the late 15th century, Duke Ivan III acquired Novgorod and Tver and threw off the Mongol yoke. Ivan IV—the Terrible (1533–1584), first Muscovite czar—is considered to have founded the Russian state.
Geography
Russia is the largest country in the world; its total area is 17,075,400 square kilometers (6,592,800 sq mi). The Russian Federation is the largest of the 21 republics that make up the Commonwealth of Independent States.
It occupies most of Eastern Europe and north Asia, stretching from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Black Sea and the Caucasus in the south.
It is bordered by Norway and Finland in the northwest; Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania in the west; Georgia and Azerbaijan in the southwest; and Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and North Korea along the southern border.
Language facts about Russia
Russian is the official language in Russia. Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet instead of the Latin and is one of the 5 most spoken languages in the world.
However, the 120 or so nationalities of the Commonwealth of Independent States speak about 48 other languages. Those of Slavic origin account for approximately 75% of the total population. In Moscow or St Petersburg it is not uncommon to find Russians who speak European languages, especially English.
Cultural facts about Russia & Social Life
Most of Russian cities have a vibrant social life that can be compared in spirit to that of New York. In regard to the high art, Russia has always occupied a prominent spot on the world scene.
The Bolshoi Theater and Pushkin Art Gallery in Moscow, Mariinsky Theater and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg are considered to be some of the best art institutions in the world.
In St. Petersburg alone there are 2,000 libraries, 221 museums, 80 theaters, 100 concert halls, 45 art galleries, 62 movie theaters, 80 nightclubs.
The city also hosts over 100 concerts, shows and festivals each year. There are always things to do, not to mention that Russians place much importance on friendship and family and, as a result, anniversaries and birthdays tend to be great parties.
Religious facts about Russia
Russian Orthodoxy is the main religion in Russian, followed to a lesser extent by Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism.
Religion has become more popular in Russia over the last few years as the Russian Orthodox Church has received official encouragement through the return of property confiscated during the Soviet period.
The rebuilding of Christ the Savior Cathedral (in Moscow) is symbolic of the restoration of the right to practice a religion in Russia, and this development has evoked much emotion amongst Russian (and foreign) people alike.
Climatic facts about Russia
Owing to its vast size and the fact that most of Russian’s territory is far removed from any ocean, the climate throughout the country is extremely continental, with distinct periods of warm and cold weather.
The continentally of Russia’s climate increases as one travels east, with average temperature differences between the warmest (July) and coldest (January) periods in Eastern Siberia, for example, varying as much as 65 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit).
There is, however, much variation in climate based on latitude and physical geography. Temperatures for Moscow and St. Petersburg range from highs of 32 C in the summer to low – 25 C in winter.
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