About the Country

Political Background

Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surroundin... [more]

Map

Click on the map for a full-sized image. ... [more]

Economy

Overview: Russia ended 2003 with its fifth straight year of growth, averaging 6.5% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Although high oil prices and a relatively cheap rub... [more]

Transportation

Railways: total: 87,157 km broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) Note: an additional 30,000 km of n... [more]

History

Historical Background: Early History to 1917 Early History ... [more]

Geography

Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean (see Map ). Geographic c... [more]

Anthem

Click here to listen to the Russian National Anthem (mp3 format) (Translation from Pravda Online) Music b... [more]

Government

Country name: long form: Russian Federation conventional short form: Russia local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya local short form: Rossiya former: Russian ... [more]

People

Population: 143,782,338 (July 2004 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15% (male 11,064,109; female 10,518,595) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 49,534,076; female 52,958,1... [more]

Flag

The Russian flag has three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red ... [more]



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