Russia

The Russian Federation (Russian: transliteration: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya or Rossijskaja Federacija), or Russia (Russian: transliteration: Rossiya or Rossija), is a country that stretches over a vast expanse of Europe and Asia. It is the largest country in the world (by land mass), covering almost twice the territory of the next-largest country, Canada.

It shares land borders with the following countries (counter-clockwise from NW to SE): Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (only through Kaliningrad Oblast), Poland (only through Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and North Korea. It is also close to the United States, Armenia and Japan across stretches of water: the Diomede Islands (one controlled by Russia, the other by the United States) are just 3 km (1.9 mi) apart, and Kunashir Island (controlled by Russia but claimed by Japan) is about 20 kilometers (12 mi) from Hokkaido.

It shares land borders with the following countries (counter-clockwise from NW to SE): Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (only through Kaliningrad Oblast), Poland (only through Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and North Korea. It is also close to the United States, Armenia and Japan across stretches of water: the Diomede Islands (one controlled by Russia, the other by the United States) are just 3 km (1.9 mi) apart, and Kunashir Island (controlled by Russia but claimed by Japan) is about 20 kilometers (12 mi) from Hokkaido.

Area: 17,075,200 km²

Population: 143,420,309

Language: Russian

Currency: Ruble

Government: Semi-presidential Federation

• Moscow: 10,375,688
• Saint Petersburg: 4,178,234
• Novosibirsk: 1,439,071
• Nizhny Novgorod: 1,311,398
• Yekaterinburg: 1,305,264
• Samara: 1,154,393
• Omsk: 1,148,755
• Kazan: 1,118,288
• Chelyabinsk: 1,084,644
• Rostov-on-Don: 1,082,872
• Ufa: 1,052,238
• Volgograd: 1,020,700
• Perm: 1,004,563

Russia is a land of white snow and lethal winters, but also of rivers that ramble across the meadows and a midsummer sun that never sets. Its people, in the words of a Russian proverb, 'love to suffer', yet they also love to party and can be disarmingly openhanded and welcoming.

North West Russia

When it comes to getting back to nature, you can choose from several natural zones such as arctic, snow-laden deserts to millennia old forests in North West Russia. There are also many rivers and lakes - many of which, besides being incredibly beautiful, are used as a source of transportation.

Perhaps the most well known city in Northwest Russian is St. Petersburg, but there are many other cities in the region worth visiting. Eleven percent of the population of Russia live in this region so where ever you go you will find friendly faces and a welcoming atmosphere. The North West region is vast and varied – the area of the region being larger than that of the Scandinavian countries combined. This amazing region has a moderate continental climate – from warm, humid summers to incredibly cold winters with snow – change in a season which provides many different opportunities for those seeking adventure.

When it comes to getting back to nature, you can choose from several natural zones such as arctic, snow-laden deserts to millennia old forests. There are also many rivers and lakes – many of which, besides being incredibly beautiful, are used as a source of transportation. The largest lakes in Northwest Russia are Ladoga, Onega, Beloye and Ilmen. Besides this natural splendor, Northwest Russia also has natural riches. There are large deposits of raw materials such as coal, copper and nickel as well as oil, gas and peat. Much of the wood that is harvested throughout Europe stems from the magnificent forests of Russia.

There is much to do in this region as much of it is historically and architecturally laden. St Petersburg makes for magnificent sightseeing opportunities. Here you will find impressive turreted imperial buildings and legendary palaces and churches. You could also take a troika ride – a traditional sleigh carriage drawn by three horses – to add a little enchantment to your trip. You will find that each city, town and village in North West Russia has its own sense of charm and warmth, which makes you feel immediately welcome. Certainly you will find that Northwest Russia will charm and delight you.

Central Russia

Central Russia has a lot of treats to offer the discerning traveler. You can visit the Kremlin, Red Square, The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, The Tretyakov Gallery and The Novodevichy Monastery - each a feast for the eyes. There are a lot of other things to see here too, and if you'd like to spend time in a few different cities in this region, the Golden Circle is a trip worth taking.

Central Russia or the Central Federal District is one of the seven federal districts of Russia. However, Central Russia is not in the center of the Russian land mass as one might presume, but rather in the extreme West of Russia – in what might be called the center of historic Russia. Central Russia is made up of many cities and towns – the most well known being Moscow. Central Russia has a lot of treats to offer the discerning traveler. You can visit the Kremlin, Red Square, The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, The Tretyakov Gallery and The Novodevichy Monastery – each a feast for the eyes. There are a lot of other things to see here too, and if you'd like to spend time in a few different cities in this region, the Golden Circle is a trip worth taking.

The amazing city of Moscow has a series of circles which radiate outwards from the Kremlin. One of these circles is called the Garden Ring which is where many famous sights are situated. The Kremlin itself is a magnificent walled structure which dates back to the founding of the city in 1147 and it was the seat of government for many years. The Red Square was originally a market place but more recently has been used for parades. The nearby St Basil's Cathedral carries the signature domed roofs of Russia and is perhaps the most famous Russian image. The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts has an impressive collection of art from all ages – Egyptian right through to 20th century art. Much of the art is from notable artists and the collection is definitely a gem in Russia's crown.

Most of Central Russia can be traveled with relative ease as it is a well developed region. There are trains, busses and airplanes available for this purpose. You can also walk to between sights quite easily if you have the time. The above-mentioned attractions are only a small snippet of what is on offer here. The rest of Central Russia is also well worth seeing.

South Ural

A mountainous area between Europe and Asia, South Ural has a lot to offer. It has three main biomes - forested mountains, partially wooded steppes and normal, grassy steppes. Together these combine to make a beautiful and diverse landscape, which exhibits topographical elements from all over Russia. You will find more than 200 national parks in South Ural - each with their own specialty.

A mountainous area between Europe and Asia, South Ural has a lot to offer. It has three main biomes – forested mountains, partially wooded steppes and normal, grassy steppes. Together these combine to make a beautiful and diverse landscape, which exhibits topographical elements from all over Russia.

You will find more than 200 national parks in South Ural – each with their own specialty. For example, the Ilmenski Reserve is a mineralogical paradise, and the Arkaim Museum Reserve holds natural and man-made wonders as old as the pyramids of Egypt. Besides this, there is an amazing abundance of flora and fauna and physical natural wonders to see and explore. South Ural also has a few mountain lakes and caves worth visiting.

Until just recently, Ural was out of bounds to tourists because it hid military secrets from prying eyes. Times have changed, however, and now you can view either the Museum of Nuclear Weapons or Zone no. 145 where you will find out the history and production of nuclear and chemical warfare as well as view a few examples. From a historical viewpoint, Verhoturye is a treasure. It is the oldest town in Ural and you can visit the fortified Monastery or the Cathedral where you can admire these ancient buildings. Verhoturye is accessible by minibus and train. Ekaterinburgh is the capital of Ural and buzzing with life. Founded in 1723 this bustling metropolis now has an international airport and a train station linking to almost every part of Russia and the former USSR. It also has some beautiful 18th and 19th century buildings which are highly recommended. A memorial dedicated to the slain victims of Stalin’s repression can be found five kilometers outside the city.

Russian cuisine is as rich and varied as its vast and multicultural expanse. Its foundations were laid by a mainly peasant population in an often harsh climate with a combination of plentiful fish, poultry, game, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Crops of rye, wheat, barley, and millet provided the ingredients for a plethora of breads, pancakes, cereals, kvass, beer, and, of course, vodka. Flavorful soups and stews centered on seasonal or storable produce, fish, and meats. These wholly native foods, along with the spices and techniques used for grilling meat, making sour clotted milk, and pickling cabbage brought by the Mongol-Tartar invaders of the thirteenth century, remained the staples for the vast majority of Russians well into the seventeenth century.

Russia's great expansions of territory, influence, and interest during the eighteenth century brought more refined foods and culinary techniques. It was during this period that butter, sour cream, smoked meats and fish, pastry cooking, salads and green vegetables, teas and coffees, chocolates, ice cream, and wines and liquor were imported from abroad. At least for the urban aristocracy and provincial gentry, this opened the doors for the creative integration of these new foodstuffs with traditional Russian dishes. The result is extremely varied in technique, seasoning and combination. .

From the time of Catherine the Great, every family of influence imported both the products and personnel - mainly German, Austrian, and French - to bring the finest, rarest, and most creative foods to their table. This is nowhere more evident than in the exciting, elegant, highly nuanced, and decadent repertoire of the Franco-Russian chef. Many of the foods that are in the west considered to be traditionally Russian come from the Franco-Russian cuisine of the early Nineteenth Century and include such ubiquitous dishes as kulebeika, beef stroganoff, and Charlotke (Charlotte Russe).

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It would be easy to spend several decades getting to know Russia's great cities alone, but visitors should know that there is far more to do in today's Russia. That much of the country consists of spectacular and nearly virgin terrain makes Russia an adventuresome traveler’s dream. In the last few years, the Russian government has opened up enormous areas that for decades have been closed to virtually all human visitation. For the truly intrepid, Russia presents a lifetime's worth of unexplored territory. For those whose spirit of adventure is leavened by a taste for relaxation, there are plenty of places to visit that are within easy striking distance of a comfy hotel, a river cruise boat, or even a major city. This page provides only a brief glimpse of the possibilities that now exist.

Hiking, Trekking, and Nature Tours - With climates ranging from arctic icecap to subtropical forests, there is no limit to the choices available for outstanding trekking and hiking. There are, however, certain regions of such remarkable beauty that they deserve special attention. In the southwest and the southern border regions lie the Caucasus and Altai mountains. Both ranges are comparable in climate and ecology to the Alps or the Rocky mountains, with alpine mountain valleys ringed by evergreens and carpeted with wildflowers. In the southeast is the wondrous expanse of Lake Baikal, nestled in a massive mountain valley ringed by protected nature reserves and parks. In the Far East, trekkers can explore the dramatic volcanic peaks and steaming hot springs of the Kamchatka peninsula. Closer to the developed western region of Russia lie the ancient Urals, whose gentle slopes and dappled birch forests invite daylong walks in the woods. In the Far East, the land is densely populated with wildlife, including bears, elk, eagles, and even the rare Siberian tiger. Expert and reliable guide companies have sprung up all over Russia in recent years, making expeditions to even the most remote regions possible for Western visitors. Tours specializing in bird watching, volcanoes, mountaineering, and river travel in remote regions are all now possible in Russia.

Mountaineering and Alpine Skiing - Russia possesses a number of great mountain ranges, some of which are barely known in the west. The Caucasus, Altai, Sayan, and Stanovoy mountains all offer fantastic mountain climbing, as do some of the peaks along the Kamchatka peninsula. Alpine skiing facilities are thus far rather limited in Russia, although they should improve rapidly in the next several years. The best facilities are to be found in the western Caucasus, around Dombay.

Hunting and Fishing - Hunting and fishing in Russia are activities apt to astound the average sportsman from the West. With so much territory having been closed to outsiders for decades, the rivers and mountains of Russia are still abundant with game. The country has begun to experience problems with illegal hunting and fishing expeditions in protected areas. However, there are many reputable companies that lead expeditions to the country's legislated game preserves. Particularly in the Far East, opportunities for salmon fishing and bear hunting are unmatched anywhere else on earth.

Frost-tinged, wind-whipped, ice-glazed. Snow blankets much of Russia for most of the year, and Moscow and St. Petersburg usually see flurries in May and September. Understandably, prices are lower September through May and tourist sites less crowded. Hotel and airline rates spike around the New Year's holiday, the main event in the Russian calendar.

Most visitors favor summer, both in Moscow and subarctic St. Petersburg, with sunsets that linger until sunrise, balmy temperatures, and all-night activity that makes you forget it's 3am and you haven't slept. Russians shed layers, sunbathe on park benches, and let loose after their long hibernation. Festivals and open-air concerts make up for the summer departure of the major opera and dance companies such as the Bolshoi and Mariinsky (formerly the Kirov) theaters. Summer weather in both cities can be unpredictable, though, with spells of heavy heat (and rare air-conditioning) or drizzly cold. Bring layers and an umbrella no matter when you go.

Autumn is a few idyllic weeks in late September and early October when the poplars and oaks shed their leaves and the afternoon sun warms you enough to help you through the cooling nights. Spring, a few weeks in April, is slushy and succinct in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

If a winter wonderland is your fantasy, Russia in December won't disappoint you. The northern sun shines softly low on the horizon, and snow masks garbage-strewn courtyards and muffles the sound of traffic. Cross-country skiing fans can wind through forests within Moscow city limits or skate-ski along the frozen Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg. Skaters have frozen ponds galore for ice season fun. The downside, other than a suitcase weighted with sweaters, is that many country palaces and other outdoor sites close for the winter.

Businesses and government agencies slow down considerably because of vacations the first 2 weeks of January, the first 2 weeks of May, and much of August. These are calmer times to visit Russia but can prove a nightmare if you have visa problems or other administrative needs. When a public holiday falls on a weekend, the nearest weekday is given off in compensation.




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