Russia

Russia (the Russian Federation) is the largest country in the world, after Canada, spanning ten time zones and covering most of northern Europe and Asia (Eurasia).  It takes approximately eight hours to fly across the country.  Because of its size Russia shares borders with many countries, and lies close to others across expanses of water. The official language is Russian. The currency is the Ruble.

Russia has over a thousand cities, thousands of rivers, with the main and most well-known being the Volga.  Lake Baikal is a significant freshwater lake and is said to be the deepest in the world. Major mountain ranges are the Ural and Caucasus Mountains. The terrain varies greatly throughout the country, with the centre and south of the country being mainly forest, marshland and agricultural, there are also many areas of grasslands, plains and semi-desert.  Siberia has several mountain ranges and is known for its frozen artic tundra. Several mountains in Russia on the Kamchatka Peninsula are active volcanoes. The climate is Russia varies greatly due to its diversity. The country has a huge area of coastline encompassing the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Caspin, Black and Baltic Seas, as well as many islands.   It is a country rich in natural resources including oil, gas, petroleum, timber and minerals.

Many famous people have originated from Russia, including the novelists Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Tolstoy, the poet Pushkin, dancer Mikhai Baryshnikov, composers Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and many others.

Website:  www.visitrussia.org.uk

Moscow

Moscow, the capital city of the Russian Federation, has a very rich history, well worth delving into.  It is a very popular and fascinating tourist destination with many famous landmarks, including the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Lenin Mausoleum, Bolshoi Theatre, and Red Square. Moscow is known for its museums, ballet, theatre, opera and concerts.   Public transport is good for getting around the capital, with a metro system, trains, buses, trams and taxis. 

The Kremlin is usually the first on the list for most visitors to the capital.  The second is Red Square with the Kremlin’s walls to one side and St. Basil’s cathedral with the distinctive onion-dome.  Lenin’s Mausoleum is also a popular place to visit on Red Square. 

Website:  www.moscow-city.ru

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia, located on the Baltic Sea in the northwest.  Designed by Peter the Great, it was previously called Petrograd and Leningrad and was the capital of the Russian Empire for several centuries until 1918.  The historical centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The city is beautiful, comprising over one hundred islands connected by hundreds of bridges over the rivers Neva and Moyka and other waterways, including several drawbridges which are a big attraction.  In many ways it resembles cities like Venice and Amsterdam. 
Attractions in the city include the many great and former residences and palaces, such as the Summer Palace and Winter Palace, as well as many historical monuments.  There are many historical cathedrals, churches, monasteries, temples and mosques.  There are many interesting museums and the Hermitage museum is famous for its Western European art.   One of the most recognized landmarks is the bronze statue of Peter the Great.  

The city is a cultural and musical haven with dozens of theatres and ballet and opera companies, including the famous Kirov Ballet. 

Useful link:  www.petersburgcity.com

European Guide

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Rebublic
• Denmark
• England
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Holland
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Northern Ireland
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• Scotland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• Wales