Russia Map | HD Political Map of Russia

Russia, earlier was the leading republic within the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic (U.S.S.R.) and became an independent country after the Soviet Union dissolution in December 1991. Russia is officially known as the Russian Federation. It is a country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. With a total land area of 17,098,246 square kilometers, it is the largest country in the world by landmass. Its capital and largest city is Moscow, which is home to over 12 million people. Russia has a population of approximately 146,099,558 people, making it the ninth most populous country in the world. Its population is diverse, with ethnic Russians making up the majority, followed by Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, and Chuvash. Russia is known for its rich history, culture, and natural resources, including its vast reserves of oil, gas, and minerals. At present, Russia is a vast nation stretching across all of northern Asia and much of eastern Europe, covering 11 time zones. Its diverse landscape includes everything from deserts and semiarid steppes to dense forests and the frozen tundra of the Arctic. Among its many natural wonders, Russia boasts Europe’s longest river, the Volga, and its largest lake, Ladoga. The country is also home to Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, which holds a significant portion of the planet's fresh water.

History of Russia:

The history of Russia spans over a thousand years, beginning with the East Slavs. The traditional date of creation of the Rus’ state in the north is 862. This was ruled by Kievan Rus who was centered in Kyiv, a city that served as a strategic location between the Byzantine Empire and Scandinavia. By the 12th century, Kievan Rus disintegrated into several principalities each ruled by the distinct Rurikid Dynasty. This situation made the area prone to invasion and later, Russia was conquered and ruled by the Mongol Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries. This led to a significant impact on the political and cultural advancement of the nation. In the midst of Mongol dominance, Moscow steadily rose to power under Ivan I (Ivan Kalita), working with the Mongols to extort tribute from other Russian principalities. Ivan III, often known as Ivan the Great, successfully brought numerous Russian territories under Moscow's rule by the late 15th century. He then proclaimed Moscow to be the "Third Rome." Under the first czar of Russia, Ivan the Terrible, Moscow consolidated control and increased the nation's territory in the 16th century. Through conquest, Ivan IV greatly increased the size of Russian territory, but his reign was also characterised by harsh repression. One such measure was the creation of the Oprichnina, a secret police organisation that intimidated nobility (boyars) and other people who were thought to be the state's opponents. The Romanov dynasty, which would dominate Russia for more than three centuries, was established in 1613, marking the end of the Time of Troubles. In the 18th century, Peter the Great modernised Russia, establishing St. Petersburg as its new capital. Catherine the Great (reigned 1762-1796) continued Peter's legacy of expansion and reform.

Russia's 19th century was characterised by a conflict between reform and reaction. Tsar Alexander II implemented several important reforms as the outcome of the Russian Empire's defeat in the Crimean War (1853–1856). Among these, the most famous was the Emancipation of the Serfs in 1861, which released millions of peasants from slavery but left them poor and without enough land to live on. Though progressive, many felt that Alexander II's reforms fell short, which fueled growing discontent and sparked the emergence of revolutionary forces. After a radical group known as the People's Will assassinated him in 1881, things took a turn for the worse. Alexander III, his successor, carried out a policy of reactionary repression, reversing many of the reforms and advancing a program of "Russification" that aimed to impose Russian language and culture throughout the vast empire.

In Russia, the early 1900s were a time of great turmoil. Widespread social and economic unrest led to the 1905 Revolution, which forced Tsar Nicholas II to accept a number of political reforms, including the establishment of the Duma, a legislative assembly. These changes, however, were not enough to stop the rising dissatisfaction. Russia's internal issues were made worse by World War I, which resulted in catastrophic economic losses, military setbacks, and general unrest. With the Russian Revolution of 1917, which resulted in the creation of the Soviet Union, the Russian Empire, which had been extending its realm and sphere of influence during the 19th century, was turned into a socialist state.The Russian Federation became an independent nation in 1991 after the Soviet Union collapsed, adopting a new democratic constitution and a market-based economy.

Culture of Russia:

Russia's lengthy history and multiethnic population are reflected in its rich and varied cultural legacy. Russian theatre, dance, music, and visual arts are well-known throughout the world and have had a big influence on world culture. Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov are among the famous authors of Russian literature and their writings, which include plays, poetry, and novels, delve deeply into issues of society, morality, and human existence. Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky are well-known classical musicians in Russia and their work remains central to the global repertoire. Folk music and Soviet-era pop are also popular genres. It often includes music played on instruments like the domra and balalaika, and traditional dances like the Troika is performed. Vibrant clothes, lively music, and lively dance are all on display during festivals and other cultural events honoring the Russian folk tradition.With internationally renowned ballet companies like the Bolshoi and Mariinsky and theatrical productions by writers like Maxim Gorky and Mikhail Bulgakov, Russian dance and theatre are also celebrated. Russian visual arts have a lengthy history and are distinguished by avant-garde movements, realism, and iconography.

Since the tenth century, Russian art, architecture, and customs have all been greatly influenced by Orthodox Christianity. With its distinctive iconography and intricate church building reflecting its profound theological and historical origins, the Russian Orthodox Church plays a prominent role in both cultural and spiritual life. Russia is also home to various religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, all of which contribute to the country's diverse cultural landscape.

Official Language of Russia:

The official language of Russia is Russian, which is a Slavic language that is spoken by the majority of the population. It uses the 33-letter Cyrillic alphabet and is well-known for its complicated phonetic structure and sophisticated grammar.Russia's political, educational, and media establishments are mostly dependent on Russian, which serves to unite the nation's disparate regions under a single linguistic framework.Almost 100 minority languages, including Tatar, Bashkir, Chechen, and Yakut, are spoken in Russia in addition to Russian reflecting the rich ethnic diversity. These tongues are taught in schools alongside Russian and are regarded as official in their respective regions and have been given the co-official status.

In addition to these, there exist many more regional languages, such as Komi, Mari, and Udmurt, each possessing distinct linguistic and cultural importance. In an effort to maintain and revive these languages in the face of Russian's growing dominance, several regional regulations, educational efforts, and cultural projects safeguard and promote these languages.

Geography of Russia:

Russia accounts for more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area. Its vast and varied geography includes a diverse range of landscapes, from expansive tundras and dense forests to towering mountain ranges and arid steppes. Russia's geographical diversity plays a significant role in shaping its climate, economy, culture, and history. This diverse topography includes many mountain ranges such as the Caucasus, Altai, and Ural Mountains, as well as vast plains and plateaus like the Siberian and Kazakh steppes and the Central Siberian Plateau. The country is home to numerous rivers, including the Volga, Ob, Lena,Yenisei as well as Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, which contains 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater. It experiences a range of climates,Russia's climate ranges from temperate in the western regions to severely continental in Siberia, and its coastlines stretch from the icy Arctic Ocean to the volcanic areas along the Pacific, with varying levels of precipitation. The Taiga which is the world's largest forest belt, stretching across Siberia, is characterised by coniferous forests and colder temperatures is also found here.

From the bustling cities of European Russia to the remote wilderness of Siberia and the rugged mountains of the Caucasus, the country's landscapes are a reflection of its complex and diverse character. Russia's natural resources, including its vast forests, rich mineral deposits, and extensive waterways, have played a critical role in shaping its economy and geopolitical significance. However, the challenges posed by its geography, including its harsh climates, vast distances, and environmental changes, continue to shape the lives of its people and the direction of its development.

FAQs on Russia

Q1: What is the climate like in Russia?

Russia has a predominantly cold and temperate climate, with long, harsh winters and short, mild summers.

Q2: What is the capital of Russia?

The capital city of Russia is Moscow.

Q3: What is the currency of Russia?

Russia’s currency is the Russian ruble (RUB).

Q4: Which is the largest city of Russia?

Moscow is the largest city of Russia.