About Russia

Russia or the Russian Federation, the largest country in the world occupies an area of 17 million sq. km. The shores of the country are washed by the waves of ten seas, which belong to three oceans: Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific. The Russian Federation is the largest republic and the leader of the Commonwealth of Independent States. It occupies most of Eastern Europe and north Asia. Approximately 1/3 of the country lies in Europe and 2/3 of the country lies in Asia.

Russia stretches 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, the Altai, and Sayan Mountains, and the Amur and Usury Rivers 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. The Federation is composed of 21 republics.

The vast territory of Russia and its endless areas determined the variety of climatic conditions, like weather, waters, flora and fauna, wonderful geographic landscapes. 

The population of Russia totals to 145 million people, who represent over 100 nationalities and ethnic groups. Four fifth of the whole population are the Russians. There are about 1045 cities and towns, and 2203 big town-type settlements in Russia. 

Russia is rich in minerals like oil, natural gas, coal, gold, iron ore, apatite, potassium salts, phosphates, colour ore, non-ferrous ore and precious metals, diamonds. There are 85 reserves and 25 national parks.

Russian currency is 1 RUBLE. 1 USD is equal to 28 - 29 RUBLES.

The capital of Russia is Moscow. The second largest city and cultural capital of Russia is Saint-Petersburg.