• Population: 147 million
• Capital: Moscow
• Area: 16, 995, 800 sq km
• Currency: rouble (R)
• Language: Russian - official; 27 others co-official in various regions
• Religion: Russian Orthodox (official), Muslims, other Christians.
• Time zones: 11 (UTC+2 - UTC+12)

Looming over the rest of Europe with its immense, inhuman size and dark, brutal history, Russia is an essential and fascinating destination, the flipside of modern Europe and still an unknown quantity to most travellers. Somehow Russia manages to pull off the truly impressive feat of being both a really exciting place to travel while never relenting on its tediously bureaucratic approach to life. Stay in the EU if you want things easy and hassle-free, but venture east for one of the last truly adventurous and unpredictable destinations on the continent.

Moscow’s rich history, amazing Kremlin, startling architecture and frenzied pace of development makes it a must on any trip to Eastern Europe, while with its colourful, crumbling Italianate mansions, beautifully wending canals and mind-blowing cultural treasures, St Petersburg is one of the incontestable highlights of the continent. For something totally different, drop into ignored little Kaliningrad, an enclave of Russia wedged between Poland and Lithuania, or to the famed outpost of Siberia.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union there has been an enormous resurgence of interest in Russia's pre-Soviet past, as well as a great deal of debate and reconsideration of the Soviet era itself. This shift has not resulted in a simple vilification of everything Soviet or a naive embrace of all that preceded it, but it has spurred an unprecedented effort to regain the ancient Russian national heritage. Churches are being restored all across the country, great Russian writers and artists whose works were banned are once again being honored, and the individual character of ancient cities and communities is once again becoming established.

For most western visitors, the bulk of Russia's history is nothing more than a compendium of hazy legends and sensationalist rumors--from scurrilous stories about Catherine the Great to tabloid television reports of the miraculous survival of the children of Nicholas II. However, the factual history of the country is no less compelling than its fabulous history, and even a brief introduction to the great and not-so-great figures of its past make a visit far more rewarding.

Interesting facts about Russia

Geographic facts

• Russia is the largest country in the world (1/7 of all of the land of our planet).
• Russia has the longest borders in the world; it is washed by 22 seas and has 12 in-land seas.
• The Urals are the oldest mountains in the world and Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake and a largest reservoir of fresh water on earth. Ladoga lake is the largest one in Europe. Its area makes 18 400 sq km.
• On the territory of Russia there are 100 reserves, total area of which makes 33.55 mln ha, and 35 national parks with total area of 6.96 mln ha. The delta of the Volga is famous for Caspian rose – lotus flower.
• The Khibins are the highest mountains behind the polar circle of Russia.
• In Altai there are more than 820 glaciers covering over 600 sq km.
• The hot spring is the only place in Russia, combining medicinal properties of mineral waters of Essuntuki type and hydrosulfide baths of Sochi-Modest type.

Demographic facts

• 80% of Russians reside in Western Russia. 2/3 of Russians reside in cities.
• The average age of Russian is 30 years old.
• 30 mln. of Russians reside outside of the country.

Cultural and traditional facts

• The Bolshoi Theater and Pushkin Art Gallery in Moscow, Mariinsky theater and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg are considered to be some of the best art institutions in the world.
• In Petergoph there are more than 40 operating fountains and 5 cascades.
• In St. Petersburg alone there are 2,000 libraries, 221 museums, 80 theaters, 100 concert halls, 45 art galleries, 62 movie theaters, 80 nightclubs. The city also hosts over 100 concerts and festivals each year.
• There are always things to do, not to mention that Russians place much importance on friendship and family and, as a result, anniversaries and birthdays tend to be great parties.

Other facts:

• Economic facts: Russia is the leading producer of energy in the world, and a world-class producer of military technologies.
• Ethnic diversity Russia is home to more than 100 different ethnic groups. Slavs account for about 75% of the total population.
• Religious facts  Russian Orthodox Church is the official religion in Russian. Many of Russia's most famous sights are former or present churches signifying the important role that religion has played in the past. Russian Orthodox Church, diminished during the Soviet period, has recovered recently.
• Language facts: Russian is the official language throughout the country. Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet and is one of the 5 most spoken languages in the world.
• Natural hazards: permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia.