Russia — map and facts

Russia is the world's largest country by area, spanning eleven time zones from Eastern Europe to the Pacific coast of Asia. Covering over 17 million km², Russia encompasses an extraordinary range of landscapes, climates, and cultures. The capital is Moscow, Europe's most populous city. The currency is the Russian ruble (RUB). Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and one of the world's major nuclear and energy powers.

About Russia

Russia, officially the Russian Federation, is a federal semi-presidential republic in northern Eurasia. It is the world's largest country, covering approximately 11% of the Earth's total land surface. Russia shares borders with 14 countries, including Norway and Finland to the north-west, Belarus and Ukraine to the west, Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia to the south, and is separated from the United States (Alaska) by the Bering Strait to the east.

Geography and landscape

Russia spans approximately 17.1 million km² across both Europe and Asia. The Ural Mountains form the traditional boundary between the two continents. The European part contains the North European Plain and the Volga River (Europe's longest, at 3,531 km). The vast Siberian plain extends east of the Urals, drained by major rivers including the Ob, the Yenisei, and the Lena. Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia is the world's deepest lake and holds roughly 20% of the world's unfrozen fresh water. Permafrost covers about 60% of the country's land area.

History

Slavic peoples have inhabited the region for over 1,500 years. The Kievan Rus, established in the 9th century, is considered the predecessor state of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Ivan the Terrible became the first Tsar in 1547. The Romanov dynasty ruled from 1613 until the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the creation of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1922. The USSR became a global superpower; the Soviet Union's losses in the Second World War exceeded 25 million. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and Russia emerged as an independent state.

Economy and currency

Russia's economy is heavily dependent on natural resources — oil and natural gas account for a large share of export revenues. Russia is the world's second largest natural gas producer and one of the top three oil producers. Other significant sectors include metals and mining, defence industry, agriculture, and nuclear technology. The Russian ruble (RUB) is the national currency.

Culture and language

Russian is the official language and the world's eighth most spoken language. Russia's cultural heritage spans literature (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Pushkin), music (Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff), ballet (Bolshoi, Mariinsky), visual arts, and theatre. The Russian Orthodox Church has been central to culture and national identity for over a millennium. Ice hockey and football are the dominant sports.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Russia? Moscow, the largest city in Russia and in Europe.

What currency does Russia use? The Russian ruble (RUB).

How large is Russia? Russia covers approximately 17.1 million km² — the world's largest country, nearly twice the size of either the United States or China.

Does Russia span two continents? Yes. Russia spans both Europe and Asia; the Ural Mountains form the conventional dividing line.

What is Lake Baikal? Lake Baikal in Siberia is the world's deepest lake (1,642 m) and holds approximately 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.