Informations
Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning over 17 million square kilometers—nearly twice the size of Canada.
It occupies a unique geostrategic position, straddling two continents: Europe and Asia, with a land border stretching across thousands of kilometers and touching 14 different countries—a world record.
Its capital, Moscow, is a dynamic metropolis, both historic and ultramodern.
Dominated by the golden domes of the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral, it represents the political, economic, and spiritual heart of the country.
Moscow is also a major cultural hub, home to the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre, prestigious museums such as the Tretyakov Gallery, and a metro system adorned with frescoes and marble, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Saint Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, is often regarded as the “Venice of the North.”
Built along the banks of the Neva River and crisscrossed by numerous canals, it reflects a strong European influence, especially in its baroque and neoclassical architecture.
The Hermitage Museum, housed in the former Winter Palace, is one of the largest art museums in the world, containing over three million works.
Russia is also a land of immense geographical diversity.
From the green plains of Western Europe to the vast frozen expanses of Siberia, from the Caucasus Mountains in the south to the active volcanoes of Kamchatka in the east, the country offers an impressive natural richness.
Lake Baikal in Siberia is the deepest lake in the world (1,642 meters) and alone contains nearly 20% of the planet’s unfrozen fresh water reserves.
Climatically, the country is marked by extreme contrasts.
Winters can be particularly harsh, especially in cities like Yakutsk, where temperatures often drop below –40°C, while summers can be very hot in the south and in parts of the Urals.
Russia is a major player on the global geopolitical stage.
As the heir to the Soviet Union, it retains significant military and diplomatic influence, holding a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
It also possesses one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals and maintains considerable influence in former Soviet republics, as well as in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Arctic.
Culturally, Russia is a melting pot of languages, traditions, and ethnicities.
While Russian is the official language, the country recognizes over 35 regional official languages across its autonomous republics.
Orthodox religious festivals, Siberian shamanic traditions, Cossack dances, and Tatar songs all testify to this unique ethnic mosaic.
Russia’s economy is heavily reliant on the export of natural resources, especially oil, gas, minerals, and timber.
Gazprom, for example, is one of the world’s largest natural gas suppliers.
However, the country has been seeking to diversify its economy in recent years, with growing investments in technology, defense, space exploration, and the agri-food industry.
Russian literature, music, and cinema have left a profound mark on global culture.
Writers such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and Pushkin have left a lasting legacy, while composers like Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky are icons of classical music.
Even today, Russia’s artistic scene remains vibrant, blending contemporary creations with a deep respect for tradition.
Thus, Russia is as fascinating as it is enigmatic.
Vast, powerful, and complex, it embodies a millennia-old civilization rich in contradictions and beauty—one that continues to play a central role in the balance of the modern world.