Russia, officially known as the Russian Federation, is the largest country in the world by land area, spanning across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is bordered by 14 countries, including Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. To the north, Russia is bounded by the Arctic Ocean, while to the east, it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean.
Geography
Climate
Russia’s vast size results in a diverse range of climates across its regions. The country experiences a predominantly continental climate, characterized by long, cold winters and short, warm summers. However, climate patterns vary significantly from the Arctic tundra in the north to the subtropical regions of the Caucasus Mountains in the south.
Fauna
Russia is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including iconic species such as the Siberian tiger, brown bear, wolf, moose, and reindeer. The country’s vast forests, steppes, and tundra provide habitat for numerous bird species, including eagles, owls, and migratory waterfowl. The waters surrounding Russia support diverse marine life, including seals, whales, and various fish species.
Longest Rivers
Russia is traversed by several major rivers, many of which are among the longest in the world. The Volga River, Europe’s longest river, flows through central Russia, draining into the Caspian Sea. Other notable rivers include the Lena, Ob, Yenisei, and Amur, which play crucial roles in transportation, agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation.
Highest Mountains
Russia is home to numerous mountain ranges, with the Caucasus Mountains in the south being the highest. Mount Elbrus, located in the Caucasus region, is the highest peak in Russia and Europe, standing at an elevation of 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) above sea level. The Ural Mountains, which separate Europe from Asia, are another prominent mountain range in Russia.
History
Prehistory
The territory of present-day Russia has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Paleolithic era. The ancestors of modern Russians, known as the East Slavs, began to settle in the region around the 9th century AD, forming the basis of the Russian state.
Kievan Rus’ and Mongol Rule
The early history of Russia is closely tied to the Kievan Rus’, a federation of East Slavic tribes ruled by a succession of princes. In the 13th century, Russia came under Mongol rule following the invasion led by Genghis Khan and his descendants. The Mongol occupation, known as the Mongol-Tatar Yoke, lasted for more than two centuries and had a profound impact on Russian society, economy, and culture.
Rise of Moscow and Imperial Russia
The principality of Moscow emerged as a dominant power in the late medieval period, eventually uniting other Russian principalities and defeating the Mongols in the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. Moscow continued to expand its territory, eventually becoming the capital of the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire. Under the rule of Ivan the Terrible and subsequent tsars, Russia underwent a period of territorial expansion, exploration, and cultural flourishing, culminating in the reign of Peter the Great, who modernized the country and established it as a major European power.
Soviet Era and Modern Russia
In 1917, the Russian Revolution led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of the Soviet Union, a socialist state led by the Bolshevik Party. Under Soviet rule, Russia experienced rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social transformation, but also repression, political purges, and economic stagnation. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the beginning of a new era for Russia, as it transitioned to a democratic system and embraced market-oriented reforms under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin and later Vladimir Putin.
Demographics
Population
Russia is the largest country in the world by land area and the ninth most populous, with a population of approximately 145 million people. The population is unevenly distributed across the country, with the majority residing in urban areas, particularly in the European part of Russia. The country has experienced demographic changes in recent years, including declining birth rates, an aging population, and migration patterns.
Ethnicity and Language
Russia is a multiethnic and multilingual country, with more than 190 ethnic groups recognized by the government. The majority of the population identifies as ethnic Russians, but there are also significant minority groups, including Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chuvash, and Chechens, among others. Russian is the official language and is spoken by the vast majority of the population, while numerous indigenous languages are also spoken in various regions of the country.
Religion
Russia has a rich religious heritage, with Orthodox Christianity being the predominant faith. The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest Christian denomination in the country, with millions of adherents across Russia. Other religious groups include Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and various indigenous faiths practiced by ethnic minority communities.
Administrative Divisions and Population
Russia is divided into 85 federal subjects, including republics, oblasts, krais, autonomous okrugs, federal cities, and autonomous oblasts. The following is a list of Russia’s administrative divisions along with their populations:
- Moscow – Population: 12.5 million
- Saint Petersburg – Population: 5.4 million
- Novosibirsk Oblast – Population: 2.8 million
- Sverdlovsk Oblast – Population: 4.3 million
- Nizhny Novgorod Oblast – Population: 3.3 million
- Samara Oblast – Population: 3.2 million
- Republic of Tatarstan – Population: 3.8 million
- Republic of Bashkortostan – Population: 4.1 million
- Rostov Oblast – Population: 4.2 million
- Chelyabinsk Oblast – Population: 3.5 million
- Krasnoyarsk Krai – Population: 3.5 million
- Perm Krai – Population: 2.8 million
- Volgograd Oblast – Population: 2.9 million
- Voronezh Oblast – Population: 2.4 million
- Saratov Oblast – Population: 2.6 million
- Krasnodar Krai – Population: 5.3 million
- Stavropol Krai – Population: 2.8 million
- Ulyanovsk Oblast – Population: 1.2 million
- Republic of Crimea – Population: 2.4 million
- Republic of Dagestan – Population: 3.1 million
- Tyumen Oblast – Population: 3.6 million
- Irkutsk Oblast – Population: 2.4 million
- Omsk Oblast – Population: 1.9 million
- Kemerovo Oblast – Population: 2.7 million
- Arkhangelsk Oblast – Population: 1.1 million
- Republic of Khakassia – Population: 500,000
- Republic of Kalmykia – Population: 280,000
- Republic of Karelia – Population: 640,000
- Republic of Mari El – Population: 650,000
- Republic of Mordovia – Population: 840,000
- Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – Population: 1.2 million
- Republic of North Ossetia-Alania – Population: 700,000
- Republic of Tuva – Population: 320,000
- Altai Krai – Population: 2.4 million
- Altai Republic – Population: 220,000
- Jewish Autonomous Oblast – Population: 150,000
- Zabaykalsky Krai – Population: 1 million
- Khabarovsk Krai – Population: 1.3 million
- Kamchatka Krai – Population: 300,000
- Primorsky Krai – Population: 1.9 million
- Sakhalin Oblast – Population: 500,000
- Amur Oblast – Population: 800,000
- Magadan Oblast – Population: 150,000
- Republic of Buryatia – Population: 1 million
- Republic of Khanty-Mansi – Population: 1.6 million
- Republic of Sakhalin – Population: 510,000
- Republic of Udmurtia – Population: 1.5 million
- Republic of Adygea – Population: 460,000
- Republic of Chechnya – Population: 1.5 million
- Republic of Ingushetia – Population: 500,000
- Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria – Population: 900,000
- Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia – Population: 460,000
- Republic of Komi – Population: 840,000
- Republic of Mari El – Population: 650,000
- Republic of Mordovia – Population: 840,000
- Republic of North Ossetia-Alania – Population: 700,000
- Republic of Tatarstan – Population: 3.8 million
- Republic of Tyva – Population: 320,000
- Republic of Udmurtia – Population: 1.5 million
- Republic of Yakutia – Population: 1.2 million
- Republic of Kalmykia – Population: 280,000
- Chukotka Autonomous Okrug – Population: 50,000
- Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Population: 1.6 million
- Nenets Autonomous Okrug – Population: 45,000
- Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug – Population: 550,000
10 Largest Cities by Population
- Moscow
- Saint Petersburg
- Novosibirsk
- Yekaterinburg
- Nizhny Novgorod
- Kazan
- Chelyabinsk
- Omsk
- Samara
- Rostov-on-Don
Education Systems
Free Education
Education in Russia is primarily provided by state-funded institutions, from preschool to higher education. Primary and secondary education is compulsory, and tuition is free in public schools. Higher education is also heavily subsidized by the government, with many universities offering low-cost or tuition-free programs to Russian citizens.
Top Universities
Russia is home to several prestigious universities and research institutions, known for their academic excellence and contributions to various fields. Some of the top universities in Russia include:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Saint Petersburg State University
- Novosibirsk State University
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
- Tomsk State University
These universities offer a wide range of programs and opportunities for both domestic and international students.
Transportation
Airports
Russia has numerous airports, with several major international airports serving as key hubs for domestic and international travel. Some of the busiest airports in Russia include Sheremetyevo International Airport and Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow, Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg, and Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk.
Railways
Russia has one of the most extensive railway networks in the world, operated by Russian Railways. The total length of Russia’s railways exceeds 85,000 kilometers (52,817 miles), connecting major cities, towns, and remote regions across the country. The Trans-Siberian Railway, stretching from Moscow to Vladivostok, is one of the longest railway lines in the world.
Highways
Russia has an extensive network of highways and roads, with major routes connecting cities and regions across the country. The total length of Russia’s highways is approximately 1.4 million kilometers (870,000 miles), making it one of the longest road systems globally. The M-11 and M-4 highways are among the most important routes, linking Moscow to Saint Petersburg and the south of Russia, respectively.
Ports
Russia has several major ports along its extensive coastline, including the Port of Saint Petersburg, Port of Novorossiysk, and Port of Vladivostok. These ports play a crucial role in facilitating maritime trade and transportation, handling a wide range of cargo, including oil, natural gas, coal, and agricultural products.
Country Facts
- Population: 145 million
- Capital: Moscow
- Official Language: Russian
- Religion: Predominantly Russian Orthodox Christianity
- Race: Russian (majority), Tatar, Ukrainian, Bashkir, Chuvash, others
- Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB)
- ISO Country Code: RU
- International Calling Code: +7
- Top-Level Domain: .ru