Russia , Russian, Россия, Rossiya

 

Russia (Russian: Россия, tr. Rossiya, pronounced [rɐˈsʲijə]) or the Russian Federation,[c] is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. 

It is the largest country in the world, covering over 17,098,246 square kilometres (6,601,670 sq mi), and encompassing one-eighth of Earth's inhabitable landmass. Russia extends across eleven time zones and borders sixteen sovereign nations, more than any other country in the world.[d] It is the ninth-most populous country in the world and the most populous country in Europe, with a population of 146 million. The country's capital and largest city is Moscow, the largest city entirely within Europe. Saint Petersburg is Russia's cultural centre and second-largest city.

 Other major urban areas include Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan.

The East Slavs emerged as a recognisable group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE. The medieval state of Kievan Rus' arose in the 9th century, and in 988 adopted Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire. Rus' ultimately disintegrated, with the Grand Duchy of Moscow growing to become the Tsardom of Russia. By the early 18th century, Russia had vastly expanded through conquest, annexation, and exploration to become the Russian Empire, the third-largest empire in history. The monarchy was abolished following the Russian Revolution in 1917, and the Russian SFSR became the world's first constitutionally socialist state. Following a civil war, the Russian SFSR established the Soviet Union with three other republics, as its largest and the principal constituent. The country underwent a period of rapid industrialisation at the expense of millions of lives. The Soviet Union played a decisive role in the Allied victory in World War II, and was a superpower and rival to the United States during the Cold War. The Soviet era saw some of the most significant technological achievements of the 20th century, including the world's first human-made satellite and the launching of the first human into space.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the newly independent Russian SFSR renamed itself the Russian Federation. In the aftermath of the constitutional crisis of 1993, a new constitution was adopted, and Russia has since been governed as a federal semi-presidential republic. Since his election in 2000, Vladimir Putin has dominated Russia's political system and Russia has experienced democratic backsliding, shifting into an authoritarian state. It ranks low in international measurements of freedom of the press and civil liberties and has high levels of perceived corruption.

Why did Russia become so big?

By the early 18th century, Russia had vastly expanded through conquest, annexation, and exploration to become the Russian Empire, the third-largest empire in history. The monarchy was abolished following the Russian Revolution in 1917, and the Russian SFSR became the world's first constitutionally socialist state.

What is the most visited place in Russia?

The most popular tourist destination in Russia is the city of St Petersburg which is often referred to as Russia's Northern Capital and the Venice of the North due to its canals.

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Russia and Moscow:

Peter and Paul Fortress

Peter and Paul Fortress has been adapted as the central and most important part of the State Museum of Saint Petersburg history

St. John Baptist Church

This church was also made around the same time of wooden church of St. Nicholas. But you can see the mark difference in the architecture of the two. Opposite to Church of St. Nicholas which is made of all woods, St. John Baptist church is made of white plastered walls with wooden supports. This shows how vivid Russian architecture was since old tim...

Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills formerly known as Lenin Hills between 1935 and 1999 is a hill on the right bank of the Moskva River and one of the highest points in Moscow reaching a height of 80 m above the river level.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in Moscow Russia on the northern bank of the Moskva River a few hundred metres southwest of the Kremlin. With an overall height of 103 metres it is the third tallest Orthodox Christian church building in the world after the Peoples Salvation Cathedral in Bucharest Romania and Saint..

Novospassky Monastery

Novospassky Monastery is one of the Russian Orthodox Church fortified monasteries surrounding Moscow from the south-east. The abbey traces its history back to Moscows first monastery established in the early 14th century at the location where the Danilov Monastery now stands. The Church of the Savior in the Wood of the Kremlin was its original kath..

Kazan Cathedral St. Petersburg

Kazan Cathedral or Kazanskiy Kafedralniy Sobor also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan is a cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan one of the most venerated icons in Russia.

Peter and Paul Cathedral

The Peter and Paul Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral located inside the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg Russia. It is the first and oldest landmark in St. Petersburg built between 1712 and 1733 on Hare Island along the Neva River. Both the cathedral and the fortress were originally built under Peter the Great and designed by Domen..

Church of the Savior on Blood

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is a former Russian Orthodox church in Saint Petersburg Russia which currently functions as a secular museum. The structure was constructed between 1883 and 1907. It is one of Saint Petersburgs major attractions.

Triumphal Arch of Moscow

The third and the oldest surviving Triumphal Arch in Moscow was built in 182934 on Tverskaya Zastava Square to Joseph Bovs designs in order to commemorate Russias victory over Napoleon. It replaced an earlier wooden structure built by the veterans of the Napoleonic Wars in 1814.

Sapsan Russia

Sapsan is Russian high speed electric train which connected Moscow and St. Petersburg in its early years. This high speed trains came into operations in 2009. Initially connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg Sapsan now connects Moscow to Nizhniy Novgorod too. The train takes 3 hours 40 minutes from Moscow to St.

Petropavlovsk--Kamchatsky City

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a city and the administrative, industrial, scientific, and cultural center of Kamchatka Krai, Russia. Pertopavlovsk – Kamchatsky lies on the far east land of Russia on the Kamchatka peninsula. This is the most eastern town in the northern hemisphere and the population here is more than 1,80,000.

Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow is one of the world's greatest opera and ballet theaters, and one of Moscow's top visitor attractions. The Bolshoi building, which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow's main sights, was opened on 20 October 1856 and rebuilt 2002 onward. The Bolshoi Theatre is a symbol of Russia for all time.

Ulan-Ude Ethnographic Museum

The Ulan-Ude Ethnographic Museum is an outdoor museum located in the village of Upper Berezovka eight kilometers northeast of Ulan-Ude Buryatia.

Nikulin Circus

Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoi Boulevard, or Nikulin's Circus, is located on Tsvetnoi Boulevard in the Tverskoy District of central Moscow. It was the only circus in the city between 1926 and 1971, and still remains the most popular one. The first and original building was built and opened in 1880.

Ruskeala, Republic of Karelia

Karelia is known as one of the most beautiful place in Russia. Karelia is a place famous for Ladoga lake and Ruskeala which attracts most of the tourists here. With lakes, waterfalls and trees growing on giant rocks, Karelia is a place of utmost natural beauty. Ruskeala mountain park is one of the major attraction here.

Moscow River Cruise

River cruise is the most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer. Moscow river cruise is a great way to enjoy the view of historic landmarks and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to City Tour by car.

Kremlin Suzdal

The Kremlin is the oldest part of the Russian town of Suzdal which dates back to 10th century. It was there before Moscow Kremlin. Inside this Kremlin, the Archbishop’s Chambers houses the Suzdal History Exhibition, which includes a visit to the 18th-century Cross Hall, which was used for receptions. There are more exhibits in the 1635 Kremlin bell...

Lena Pillars Nature Park

Lena pillar is an amazing natural rock formation in far eastern Siberia along the bank of Lena river. These naturally made pillars are between 500-1000 feet high and was listed as world heritage site in 2012.