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 surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new ROMANOV Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. After defeating Germany in World War II as part of an alliance with the US (1939-1945), the USSR expanded its territory and influence in Eastern Europe and emerged as a global power. The USSR was the principal adversary of the US during the Cold War (1947-1991). The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the decades following Stalin’s rule, until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics.
Following economic and political turmoil during President Boris YELTSIN’s term (1991-99), Russia shifted toward a centralized authoritarian state under the leadership of President Vladimir PUTIN (2000-2008, 2012-present) in which the regime seeks to legitimize its rule through managed elections, populist appeals, a foreign policy focused on enhancing the country’s geopolitical influence, and commodity-based economic growth. Russia faces a largely subdued rebel movement in Chechnya and some other surrounding regions, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus.
🇷🇺 Russia Tourism Information…
🇷🇺 The Best of Russia…
Central Russia
Moscow – For more detailed information go to our ➾ Moscow web page.
- Oblasts: Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kostroma, Moscow, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, Tula, Vladimir, Yaroslavl
- Cities: Moscow
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Chernozemye
- Oblasts: Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol, Tambov, Voronezh
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Kaliningrad
- Oblasts:
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Northwestern Russia
Saint Petersburg – For more detailed information go to our ➾ Saint Petersburg web page
- Oblasts: Arkhangelsk, Karelia, Komi Republic, Leningrad, Murmansk, Nenetsia, Novgorod, Pskov, Vologda
- Cities: Saint Petersburg
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Southern Russia
- Oblasts: Adygea, Chechnya, Crimea, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Krasnodar Krai, North Ossetia, Rostov, Stavropol Krai
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Urals Region
- Oblasts: Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk, Khantia-Mansia, Kurgan, Orenburg, Perm Krai, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Yamalia
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Volga Region
- Oblasts: Astrakhan, Chuvashia, Kirov, Mari El, Mordovia, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Samara, Saratov, Tatarstan, Udmurtia, Ulyanovsk, Volgograd
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
| Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit. |
| The Golden Ring Kaliningrad Curonian Split Kronstadt Saint Nicolas Cathedral Kazan Karelia Kizi Island Moscow The Kremlin Pushkin Museum Red Square St. Basil’s Cathedral Mt. Elbrus & The Caucasus Nizhny Novgorod Grand Palace-Peterhof Sochi St. Petersburg The Hermitage & Winter Palace Catherine Palace Peter Paul Fortress Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood Suzdal Volgograd The Motherland Calls’ Sculpture Battlefields of Volgograd Yekaterinburg |
[osm_map_v3 map_center=”55.1191,44.1101″ zoom=”5.1″ width=”95%” height=”650″ post_markers=”1″ control=”fullscreen”]
🇷🇺 Russia Country Information…
Capital:
Moscow
Largest City:
Moscow
Government:
Federal Semi-presidential Constitutional Republic
Currency:
Russian Ruble (Pуб.)
Area:
Total: 17,098,242 km2 water: 720,500 km2 land: 16,377,742 km2 ranked 1st
Climate:
Ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast
Population:
142,355,415 (July 2016 est.) ranked 10th
Language:
Russian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1% note: data represent native language spoken (2010 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
Russian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9%
Religion:
Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule; Russia officially recognizes Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism as traditional religions
Electricity:
230V, 50Hz (European plug C, F )
Telephone Code:
+7
Local Emergency Phone Number:
112
Internet TLD:
.ru
Time Zone:
MSKS (UTC+3) European Region only
Road Driving Side:
Right
Anthem:
“Государственный гимн Российской Федерации” “Gosudarstvenny gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii” (transliteration) “State Anthem of the Russian Federation”
President:
Vladimir Putin
Prime Minister:
Dmitry Medvedev
🇷🇺 Holidays and Observances in Russia in 2021
| Date | Name | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | National holiday |
| Jan 4 | Monday | New Year Holiday | National holiday |
| Jan 5 | Tuesday | New Year Holiday | National holiday |
| Jan 6 | Wednesday | New Year Holiday | National holiday |
| Jan 7 | Thursday | Orthodox Christmas Day | National holiday, Orthodox |
| Jan 8 | Friday | New Year Holiday | National holiday |
| Jan 14 | Thursday | Old New Year | Observance |
| Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
| Feb 20 | Saturday | Working day | Working day (replacement) |
| Feb 22 | Monday | Public Holiday | National holiday |
| Feb 23 | Tuesday | Defender of the Fatherland Day | National holiday |
| Feb 27 | Saturday | Special Operations Forces Day | Observance |
| Mar 8 | Monday | International Women’s Day | National holiday |
| Mar 11 | Thursday | Isra and Mi’raj | Muslim |
| Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season |
| Apr 13 | Tuesday | Ramadan starts | Muslim |
| May 1 | Saturday | Spring and Labor Day | National holiday |
| May 2 | Sunday | Orthodox Easter Day | Observance, Orthodox |
| May 3 | Monday | Day off for Spring and Labor Day | National holiday |
| May 4 | Tuesday | Public Holiday | National holiday |
| May 5 | Wednesday | Public Holiday | National holiday |
| May 6 | Thursday | Public Holiday | National holiday |
| May 7 | Friday | Public Holiday | National holiday |
| May 9 | Sunday | Lailat al-Qadr | Muslim |
| May 9 | Sunday | Victory Day | National holiday |
| May 10 | Monday | Day off for Victory Day | National holiday |
| May 13 | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr | Muslim |
| Jun 12 | Saturday | Russia Day | National holiday |
| Jun 14 | Monday | Day off for Russia Day | National holiday |
| Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season |
| Jul 20 | Tuesday | Eid al-Adha | Muslim |
| Aug 10 | Tuesday | Muharram | Muslim |
| Sep 1 | Wednesday | Day of Knowledge | Observance |
| Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
| Oct 19 | Tuesday | The Prophet’s Birthday | Muslim |
| Nov 4 | Thursday | Unity Day | National holiday |
| Nov 5 | Friday | Public holiday | National holiday |
| Dec 21 | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season |
| Dec 31 | Friday | Public Holiday | National holiday |
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports:
$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)