Russia – A Quick & Quirky Guide
Official name: Russian Federation (Российская Федерация / Rossiyskaya Federatsiya)
Area: ~17,100,000 km² – yes, it’s huge, the largest country in the world
Population: ~144 million (2024)
Location: Eastern Europe and northern Asia, spanning 11 time zones, bordered by Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland (via Kaliningrad), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea
Form of government: Federal semi-presidential republic
Head of State: President Vladimir Putin
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin
Capital city: Moscow – ~12.5 million
Time zone: 11 time zones! Moscow is UTC+3
Official language: Russian
Currency: Russian ruble (RUB)
EU member: No
Schengen area: No
Top 10 Largest Cities (population approx.)
- Moscow – ~12.5 million
- Saint Petersburg – ~5.3 million
- Novosibirsk – ~1.6 million
- Yekaterinburg – ~1.5 million
- Nizhny Novgorod – ~1.3 million
- Kazan – ~1.3 million
- Chelyabinsk – ~1.2 million
- Omsk – ~1.1 million
- Samara – ~1.1 million
- Rostov-on-Don – ~1.1 million
Popular Tourist Cities & Regions
- Moscow: Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Bolshoi Theatre.
- Saint Petersburg: Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace, canals, and Peterhof.
- Sochi: Black Sea beaches and winter sports capital.
- Lake Baikal: Deepest freshwater lake in the world, hiking, and nature.
- Kazan: Tatar culture, Kazan Kremlin, and mosques/churches side by side.
- Golden Ring: Historic towns, churches, and Russian heritage exploration.
Climate
Varies dramatically: Arctic tundra in the north, continental in Siberia (cold winters, hot summers), and milder European Russia (warm summers, cold winters). Pack layers — and possibly your snow boots or sun hat depending on region!
Culture & Daily Life
- Rich heritage: Literature, ballet, music, and visual arts are world-renowned.
- Festivals & traditions: Maslenitsa (pancake week), Orthodox holidays, and contemporary events.
- Outdoor lifestyle: Hiking, skiing, boating, and exploring historic towns.
- Friendly locals: Hospitable, proud, and culturally rich, though often direct.
Food & Drink
- Classic dishes: Borscht (beet soup), pelmeni (dumplings), blini (pancakes), shchi (cabbage soup), and beef stroganoff.
- Pastries & desserts: Pirozhki, medovik (honey cake), and sweet rolls.
- Beverages: Vodka, kvass, tea, and kompot (fruit drink).
- Street food: Blini, baked buns, kebabs, and local snacks.
Summary
Russia is a colossal country of vast landscapes, historic cities, and cultural treasures. Moscow dazzles with monumental architecture, Saint Petersburg enchants with canals and museums, and Lake Baikal offers unmatched natural beauty. From Arctic tundra to Black Sea beaches, friendly locals, hearty cuisine, and centuries of heritage make Russia a destination of epic proportions.