Russia

Capital of Russia: Moscow
Population of Russia: 138,739,892
Total area of Russia: 17,098,242 km2

Russia is also called the Russian Federation and divides Russia and Asia. Its flag consists of three horizontal stripes. The top stripe is white, the middle stripe is blue and the bottom stripe is red. Its emblem is red with a yellow double headed eagle and a crown on top.

Russia population

Russians make up about 80 percent of the population of the country of Russia. There are many minority groups living there. The population density is low because the country is very large. Most live in the East near the Ural Mountains and in the southwestern portion of Siberia. Much of the population is urban. The total population is around 143 million people. The population has fallen since the Soviet Union dissolved. On the other hand, death rates are going down and birth rates are going up. The birth rate is 12.6 births per 1000 people, higher than the 9.9 per thousand people in the rest of Europe. The largest city is Moscow, followed by St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk. The country itself speaks more than 100 different languages. Most speak Russian but some speak Tatar and Ukrainian. The people of the country practice Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism.  

History of Russia

The East Slavic people lived in the area around 200 to 700 CE. In the 9th century, the medieval state of Rus was formed. The Byzantine culture melded with the Slav culture and this defined the Russian Culture for the next thousand years. After that, it was divided into several different states and came under Kievan Rule. It the 1800s, the country expanded to become the Russian Empire, which included Alaska. It fought with the Allies in WWII. It formed the Soviet Union after that and became Communist. The fall of communism broke up the states in the Soviet Union and Russia became a single country in 1991.

Russia Tourism

Russia has been slowly progressing in both national and international tourism. It is now considered among the most popular destinations for tourists mainly because of its unique cultural heritage and natural scenery. The country alone consists of twenty three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The main tours of Russia go around the Golden Ring of ancient cities, the river of Volga and the Trans-Siberian Railway. Tourists especially enjoy seeing all the unique Russian novelties like souvenirs, handicrafts and knickknacks. Moscow and Saint Petersburg are home to the famous Tretyakov Gallery, Bolshoi Theater, Mariinsky Theater, Saint Basil’s Church, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the Palace Square, and the Church of the Savior on Blood, the Tverskaya Street and the Nevsky Prospect Street. The natural landscapes of Russia are also undeniable attractive to tourists from around the world. The Black Sea offers subtropical paradise to tourists who are seeking warm weather, beautiful sea view and a beach holiday.

The Russians are a patriotic people who generally take pride in their country. Their native songs and poetry are reflections of their pride and love for Russia, their homeland. Their cultural heritage and their history are something they highly value and expect the world to recognize it as well. Coming from a long generation of communal living, the Russians have developed a communal mentality. Russians typically do not like eating alone and would rather eat with strangers in a restaurant than dine by themselves. Russians prefer formalities on the first interaction but they warm up to people who are not too reserved.