The overview of Russia (General facts)

Russia overview

Russia or Russian Federation (both names are official) is a state located in Eurasia region of our planet (eastern part of Europe and northern part of Asia). Russia is the largest country by land area in the world (11,5% of total Earth land area).

The land area of Russia is about 17,075,400 sq. km.; the population is about 141,867,000 (2009).

Russia flag

Russia coat of arms

Russia national anthem

Russia general facts

About 79% of Russians are living in European part of Russia. The country is the ninth by population in the world. Russian people prefer to live in cities and towns (urbanization level is 73%). Russians are the major nation of the population (80%). The official state language of the country is Russian.

Russia borders on 18 countries including Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Ukraine, Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, Northern Korea by land and Japan, USA by sea.

After the collapse of Soviet Union at the end of 1991 Russian Federation was recognized as continuer state of USSR and received its place in Security Council of United Nations. Russia is a member of such international organizations as United Nations, Commonwealth of Independent States, Eurasian Economic Community, The Organization of Central Asian Cooperation, Collective Security Treaty Organization, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and others.

Russia has the largest deposits of mineral and energy resources in the world. Also the country has the largest number of lakes, wood and water resources. About 25% of world sweet water resources belong to Russia.

The capital and administrative center of Russia is Moscow city. The total number of cities with the population over 1 million is 11. Among them are Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Omsk, Kazan, Chelyabinsk, Rostov-on-Don, Ufa.

Photos and pictures

The variety of Russian nature

Adygeya Republic view

Author: Sergey Pavlov

Altay Republic view

Author: Alexander Naumov

Karelia Republic view

Author: Mikhail Grizly

Russian landscapes views

Krasnodar krai landscape

Author: Vladislav Shutyy

Novgorod oblast landscape

Author: Alexander Valterovich

Kamchatka krai landscape

Author: Korotnev A.V.

The sceneries of Russia

Khakassia Republic scenery

Author: Oleg Kobytev

Pskov oblast scenery

Author: Konstantin Zuev

Tuva Republic scenery

Author: Andrey Kireyev

The questions of our visitors

georges asks: hello. i want to know how many total territory of the 21 republics of russian federation in sq.km and in present (together) from the total territory of the russian federation. but please in english language (if you can) thank you all very much.

Expert's answer:

The total territory of 21 republics is 4,872,700 sq. km. (3,103,200 sq. km. for Sakha Republic). It is about 28,5% of total territory of Russian Federation.

simon asks: Why is it called Russia?

Expert's answer:

The name has occurred from Varangians rus, called by the Novgorod Slavs in 862 year as a military team. They have put things in order and have created the first centralized government. As the state name is mentioned for the first time in the text of the Russian-Byzantian CONTRACT 911 years. The name Russia is used much late, in XV century. The people who originally settled the area were known as the "Rus", so the the land became known as the land of the Rus. Russian word for Russia is "Rossiya", the German word for Russia is "Rusland".

The comments of our visitors

Liliana Benavente-Gerondelis

Excellent information!

Hello from United States! I am from Peru and married to an Greek-American. I love to learn new cultures and people. Your website is very informative. Thank you.

Fine website

Thank you for this excellent website. I find it very useful. Would like to travel through Russia, west to east, in the future.

Blogger2231

Russia Travel Advice

A trip to Russia costs about 5 thousand dollars including flight, hotel, and Car Rental, but its worth it because you can witness live performances, the kremlin in red square or eat Borscht Soup which has so much ingredients. The Alphabet in Russia is very unique. Get some warm clothes on because it is very cold most of the year, if you haven't seen snow now is a chance to see some.

Peter Krometsek