Russia (Russian: Россия, Rossiya), also the Russian Federation (Rossiyskaya Federatsiya), is a transcontinental country extending over much of northern Eurasia (Europe and Asia). With an area of 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering almost twice the total area of the next-largest country, Canada. It is also home to the world’s ninth-largest population of an estimated 142 million people.
Russia shares land borders with the following countries (counter-clockwise from northwest to southeast): Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and North Korea. It is also close to the U.S. state of Alaska, Sweden and Japan across relatively small stretches of water (the Bering Strait, the Baltic Sea, and La Perouse Strait, respectively). Russia possesses the world’s largest mineral and energy resources and is considered an energy superpower.
Russia established worldwide power and influence from the times of the Russian Empire to being the largest constituent of the Soviet Union, the world’s first and largest Communist state, both of whom stretched their domains across most of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The Russian Federation was founded following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, but is recognized as the continuing legal personality of the Soviet Union. Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the G8 and other global organizations. Russia is one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states and possesses the world’s largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation. Holy Moscow – that was the name of the city for centuries and it has remained the symbolic heart of this vast country. According to a legend mentioned in an old Russian chronicle Moscow was founded by Suzdal’s Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1147. In the 14-th century Moscow becomes a center of Great Moscow Principality. Later it becomes a center of the whole Russian State. At the beginning of the 18th century, Peter the Great demoted the city from its rank of Tsar’s capital by building his own capital city which now once again bears his name, St. Petersburg. However, the Russian tsars were coronated in Moscow. In 1917 the Soviet government transferred the Russian capital back to Moscow.
The city was destroyed several times: by the Mongolian Tatar invasion, the Napoleonic invasion, the Nazi invasion; and every time it rose from its ruins.
Now Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. It combines the best pieces of old and modern architecture. The capital was especially transformed for the last years. Most of the historical buildings, architectural ensembles, churches and monasteries were restored. Home for Pushkin, Lermontov and Dostoyevsky, it became a breeding ground for progressive thought and a haven for free-thinkers.
There are a lot of places to see and to visit in Moscow: Red Square and the Kremlin , beautiful monuments, the magnificent Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow University .The city is noted for the historical and architectural relics you can marvel at: museums, art galleries which are a great attraction of the city, and theatres where you can enjoy watching a great variety of plays and ballets. Moscow’s unique complex of attractions and opportunity to get acquainted with traditions of Russian people attract here guests from all over the world.
Uglich
Historically located on the right bank of the Volga, but now on the bank of the reservoir , Uglich features a renowned ancient Kremlin in a very provincial setting. Dating back to the 10th century, Uglich was a scene of some of the most remarkable events in medieval Russian history. After Ivan the Terrible’s death in the 16th century his seventh wife and her young son Tsarevich Dmitry were sent to Uglich into an “honorary exile”, where the heir to the throne was mysteriously murdered. The poignant Church of St. Demitrius on the Blood, which was erected soon after the tragic event, is of special interest in the Uglich Kremlin. Within the Kremlin walls is also the oldest building in the city, small and charming Prince’s Palace. Among the highlights of the city is a spectacular view of the Transfiguration Cathedral and St.John’s Church from the river.
Yaroslavl
Yaroslav is among the oldest of all Russian provincial cities, that boasts a plethora of dazzling churches and a lovely riverfront.
There is a legend about the founding of Yaroslavl. In 1010, Yaroslav the Wise, son of the Kievan Prince Vladimir, took an interest in a trading post at the place where the Kotorosl River enters the Volga. The story goes that the locals set a sacred bear on him, but he killed the bear and founded a town on the spot, putting the bear on his coat of arms. Today’s Yaroslavl is an important Volga port and a city with a population of 635,000.
The city’s major attraction is the Spassky (or Savior) monastery that was founded in the 12th century. The monastery houses the oldest building in the city – Savior Transfiguration cathedral, which is almost 500 years old (the foundation is 800 years old). The domes are put non-symmetrically, there are different archs and various paintings on the different sides of the cathedral. If you walk from the monastery to the direction of Volga river you’ll see the white Church of Ilia the Prophet (Tserkov Ilii Proroka) with five green domes. It was built in 1647-1650, and is considered to be one of the main sights in Yaroslavl. The main attraction are the fresoes made by Yury Nikitin and Sila Slavin – the renowned masters from Kostroma, who decorated at least one church in every Golden Ring town in the 17th century.
Yaroslavl is a birthplace of many prominent Russians, including the founder of Russian national theatre F.Volkov, famous opera singer L.Sobinov, and the first female cosmonaut in history Valentina Tereshkova
Goritsy
Goritsy is a small village on the Sheksna river famous as a home to the dilapidated Resurrection Convent, visible on the shore. At the distance of 7 kms from the village is the town of Kirillov.In its way the town of Kirillov and its environs is a unique territory. It also happened that in the course of all the six centuries of its existence Kirillov was a centre of spiritual attraction. Tsars and numerous pilgrims went on a pilgrimage with the only aim – to find peace and enlightment there. The attractive-ness of the place can be easily explained: on the small area there is a gold field of historical and architectural monuments. The grand and majestic Kirillo-Belozerski monastery, because of its architecture and dimensions, is included in the memorials. Ferapont monastery, small in size and very cosy, which is situated at the distance of 18 km from Kirillov, has been recently registered into UNESCO list as one of the prominent monuments of the world cultural heritage. As a whole, Kirillov district counts 12 churches and 25 civil monuments, which are taken under the guardianship of the State Government.
Kizhi
Kizhi Island is a finger of land about 4 miles from top to bottom and about 1 mile across situated about 70 kilometres to the north-east of Petrozavodsk. The island rises gently to a low hillock that is dominated by the two onion-domed churches, encircled by a wooden stockade. On Kizhi Island survived a 17th century 22-domed church built without a single nail. The Church of the Transfiguration of our Savior and the Church of the Intercession, were first mentioned in the «Pistsovaya Kniga» chronicles in 1496. Both of these churches were rebuilt several times over the years and are now preserved in their original wooden splendor of the XVII century.
Kizhi is famous the whole world over. It has become the symbol of grandeur of unique Russian culture. Visiting the Kizhi Islands gives a great chance to appreciate the enchanting medieval atmosphere and get acquainted with the customs and free spirit of men living in a spacious area with a rigorous climate
Mandrogi
A small village of Mandroga is a romantic vision from the past. The village has been recently created by men of enterprise and artistic taste as tourist attractions.
You can feel being in a tale and get unforgettable impressions if you visit the village of Verkhniye Mandrogi located at the picturesque bank of the Svir river. The charming landscape is dotted with colorful “izbas” – small wooden log cabin houses with finely carved roofs and window frames. In the “town of masters” you can admire items of Russian handicraft – subtle paintings, “matryeshkas” (painted wooden dolls), remarkable pieces of embroidery and pottery utensils, and even take part in creating souvenirs. You can also visit the elk nursery and the quail farm, have a horse-ride about the place, taste Russian pastry, “pirozhki”, in a tavern, go to the museum of Russian vodka where cordial hosts will present you some vodka with pickles.
Kostroma
One of the most beautiful cities of the so-called Golden Ring, Kostroma celebrated its 850th anniversary in 2002. Once the third biggest city in Russia after Moscow and Yaroslavl, it now has a special charm of a calm provincial town, despite its not-too-small population of about 480,000 people. Just at the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma rivers is nested the monastery of St Ipathy, the main architectural and historical attraction of the town, where the first tsar of the Romanov dynasty accepted the throne. Next to the monastery there’s a unique open-air museum of wooden architecture, where traditional izbas (wooden houses), mills and churches from across the region are gathered in one place. Like all Russian towns, Kostroma still bears an imprint of the Soviet epoch – a weird combination of old churches and, for example, a huge statue of Lenin. Kostroma is often used as a setting in films and literature as it is regarded as preserving the face of a typical Russian provincial town.
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Nizhni Novgorod
The Russian Chronicles say that Nizhni Novgorod was founded by Gran Prince Yuri.
Located at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga rivers, Nizhni Novgorod has been an economical and cultural center of the vast Volgo-Vyatsky region. The total area of N.Novgorod exceeds 200 sq.mi. With its 1,5 million population the city is the 3rd biggest city in Russia, but unlike Moscow and St. Petersburg, with their large numbers of Westerners, Nizhni Novgorod offers insights into life in Russia’s heartland. Of special industrial importance are the suburbs of Nizhni Novgorod: Dzerzhinsk, Bor and Kstovo.
N.Novgorod, which was known as Gorki from 1932 to 1990 has gone back to its pre-revolutionary name. It was a closed city for the past 45 years and was also known to Westerners as the city to which Andrei Sakharov was exiled
Today it is the “test site” for democratic reform and free market initiatives. The most interesting part of cultural life and historical heritage are the museums of the city: the Art Museum, the Historical and Architectural museum.
Uljanovsk
Ulyanovsk was founded in 1648 on the site of a Tatar village as a strongpoint to defend Russia’s southern frontier. It also developed as a trade center. It was taken by the Cossack leader Stenka Razin in 1670, was the scene of fighting during the Pugachev insurrection of 1773-74, and was virtually destroyed by fire in 1864. The city was the birthplace of V. I. Lenin, the founder of Soviet Russia, as well as of such famous figures as A. F. Kerensky, the head of the 1917 provisional Russian government; the novelist I. A. Goncharov; and the historian and writer N. M. Karamzin. The house where Lenin was born and the school that he attended became national shrines of the Soviet Union. The city, formerly called Simbirsk, was renamed in 1924 in honor of Lenin (whose original name was Vladimir I. Ulyanov). Now the city is the capital of Ulyanovsk region, a port on the Volga and Svigaya rivers. It is a major rail and water transport center and trades in grain, wool, and potash.
Kazan
City in central European Russia, capital of the republic of Tatarstan, and a port at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka rivers, Kazan- is a major industrial, commercial, and cultural center. Once a prominent Muslim city, Kazan remains a center of Tatar culture (see Tatars). It is the site of Kazan State University (founded in 1804), where Leo Tolstoy and Vladimir Ilich Lenin studied, and several technical schools. Notable structures include the Kremlin (citadel), the oldest part of which dates from the 15th century; a 16th-century church; and two 18th-century mosques.
Kazan was founded in the late 14th century and soon became the capital of a powerful Tatar khanate. In 1552 the city was annexed by Russia under Ivan IV Vasilyevich. It was largely destroyed in 1774 during a revolt by troops under the leadership of the cossack soldier Yemelyan Pugachov, but was rebuilt soon thereafter, during the reign of Catherine the Great. In fact, Kazan envolved into two distinct parts : the upper town with the Kremlin, where the Russian gentry, merchants and craftsmen lived, and the lower town, the Old Tatar and new Tatar settlements, where Tatar tradesmen, merchants and even peasants lived. The visible border between the upper and lower towns, and in fact between the cultures of the East and West, lay along the Bulak Canal and the chain of Kazan lakes: the Near, Middle and Far Kaban. On either side on this watery boundary the cite developed its dynamic and distinctive life, leaving an unforgettable impression on every visitor. In the nineteenth century, Alexander Herzen wrote : “Kazan is somehow the main focus of the neighbouring provinces to the south and east: they receive their education, customs and fashions from it. The significance of the Kazan is very great: it is place were two worlds meet. It has two origins, the West and the East, and you can see them at every cross-roads; here they lived together in amity as a result of continuous interaction, and began to create something quite original”.
Samara
Samara was founded in 1586 as a fortress to guard the river ways. The ciry is situated on the very beautiful placeon the left bank of the Volga river in the center of great steppe. As early as 1606 Samara had customs service and a port on the river Volga. Samara reminded one of Chicago very much and it was often called “Russian Chicago”. Both towns have similar climate, topography and branches of industry. Trading in wheat was the main business of Samara merchants in the 19th century. Near Samara was a very famous kumys lechebnitca (hospital for using the milk of horses) and mineral springs frequented by foreigners.Many river tourists visited Samara. Even a French writer Alexender Duma’s had paid a visit there in 1858. In 1859 he wrote the book “From Paris to Astrakhan” after his travel where he left his description of Samara. The steel railway’s bridge was built in 1880 near Samara. The bridge named after Alexender the II because it was opened at the birthday of this great Russian emperor (he is known as the person who sold Alyaska to the USA in 1867). The length of the bridge was nearly about 2 km. Samara now is one of the biggest cities of Russia, with a subway of 4 stations built in 1991. It is a fascinating place where diverse cultural traditions are combined in the unique way, where the great spirit of the past is preserved and the best features of modernistic style are displayed.
Saratov
Saratov is located in the heart of Volga River Valley Region. Once the capital of the Lower-Volga region, it is now the center of one of the biggest provinces in Russia. The province extends 575 km from the west to the east, and 240 km from the north to the south and equals to the total area of such states as Belgium, Switzerland and Albania.
The city was founded in 1590. The name Saratov comes from the Tatar word Sary-Tau (Yellow mountain). During its 400 year history Saratov has served as the crossroads for many historical events and outstanding people. In the late 19th century Saratov became a regional center for industry, trade, and culture. Saratov was famed for the longest straight street in Europe, Moskovskaya (Moscow) street. Among the landmarks of modern Saratov is one of the longest bridges in Europe, 2.8 kilometers long. Saratov offers many of the advantages of a larger city, but has the moderate prices of a smaller city. It has: a drama theater, a children’s theater, a puppet theater, Russia’s oldest active circus, an opera, ballet, philharmonic orchestra, musical conservatory, and professional basketball, hockey and soccer teams. There are also several beaches, Lipki Park, several Art Galleries, many fine cafes and restaurants, a good disco, supermarkets with foreign foodstuffs, two casinos and several delicatessens. nmnkjdfksldfl
Volgograd
The city originated with the foundation of the fortress of Tsaritsyn in 1589 to defend the southern border of tsarist Russia. The name came about because the town lies where the river Tsaritsa meets the river Volga. The city gained its new name of Stalingrad (literally: “Stalin city”) in 1925 because Stalin’s allegedly decisive leadership there during the Russian Civil War became legendary. The Stalingrad area became the site of the Battle of Stalingrad, which raged through the city from the summer of 1942 to February 2, 1943 — in terms of loss of human life, one of the costliest battles in history. For the heroism shown during the battle, the city was awarded the title Hero City in 1945. In 1951, it took on its present-day name of Volgograd, but remains a virtual remembrance of things lost, dotted with landmarks honoring the dead, from the Avenue of Heroes to the Fallen Warrior’s Square.
The most famous geographical attraction is Mamayev Hill, which saw the worst fighting of the battle. The hill is dotted with sculptures devoted to those who died, and topped with the magnificent rendering of “Mother Russia,” at 52 meters high, the world’s largest freestanding statue.
The adjacent Museum of the Defense showcases artifacts of the conflict, including weapons and uniforms. A half-century has passed since the city was reconstructed, yet Volgograd still lives with the ghosts of its own death and rebirth.
Astrakhan
Astrakhan was founded on an island on the Volga River, 100 kilometers upstream from the Caspian Sea. Astrakhan is a unique blend of East and West. To the west of the city lies the Kalmyk Republic, a small slice of Asia lying entirely within the European continent. The Kalymks (who follow the Tibetan Gelupka Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism) settled there after arriving from Mongolia in the 17th century. Meanwhile, just to the east of the city is Russia’s border with Kazakstan.
Astrakhan was founded at the end of the 13th century by the Tatar Khanate and then destroyed by the Samarkand-based Timur (Timurlane) in 1395. After the fall of Kazan in 1552, Ivan the Terrible’s troops continued south along the Volga until they conquered Astrakhan. With the establishment of the city’s Kremlin in 1558, Astrakhan became a trading center, mainly due to its location on the Volga/Caspian Sea delta, along the route between Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Having escaped both the destruction of World War II and the misplaced enthusiasm of Soviet planners, Astrakhan, with its large Kremlin and many old wooden houses, offers the visitor a pleasant atmosphere for strolling and taking in the sights.
St.Petersburg
St. Petersburg is the second largest city of Russia and the largest city in the world located so far to the North.
Built in 1703 by Peter the Great St. Petersburg it is situated in the Neva River delta on the Eastern coast of the Gulf of Finland. This city, built on 44 islands formed by the Neva River and 90 more rivers and canals and interconnected by more than 300 bridges, has been the old capital of Russia and home to some of its mighty Czars.
Nowadays St Petersburg again is a cultural center, which contains an enormous number of historical and cultural sights. The city dazzles the eye of a visitor with numerous architectural landmarks, museums with various and outstanding collections, magnificent palaces – the former residences of Russian Tsars, grand parks, wide avenues, spectacular bridges and stylish monuments.
Among those famous all over the world is the unrivalled Hermitage museum, which houses a huge collection of Western European Art, Oriental Art, Applied Art, Ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian Art. The collection of the Hermitage consists of 2 million pieces!
The best time to visit the city is from May till October, when the weather is warm. The city is especially beautiful during magical White Nights, which start in the beginning of June and lasts up to the middle of July.