Russian state

Russian state
Conventional long name	Russian state
National anthem	"State Anthem of the Russian Federation"
Capital	Moscow
Largest city	Moscow
Official languages	Russian
Government type	Federal semi-presidential republic
Leader title1	President
Leader name1	Vladimir Putin
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Mikhail Mishustin
Legislature	Federal Assembly
Upper house	Federation Council
Lower house	State Duma
Established event1	Kievan Rus'
Established date1	882
Established event2	Grand Duchy of Moscow
Established date2	1283
Established event3	Tsardom of Russia
Established date3	1547
Established event4	Russian Empire
Established date4	1721
Established event5	Russian SFSR
Established date5	1917
Established event6	Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Established date6	1991
Area km2	17098246
Population estimate	146,150,000
Population estimate year	2024
Currency	Russian ruble (RUB)
Time zone	UTC+2 to +12
Drives on	right

Russian state. It is the largest country in the world by land area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Its capital and most populous city is Moscow, with other major urban centers including Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg. Governed as a federal semi-presidential republic, it is a recognized Nuclear weapons state and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

History

The historical foundations trace to the Kievan Rus', a federation of Slavic tribes under the Rurik dynasty. The subsequent Grand Duchy of Moscow gradually consolidated power, leading to the proclamation of the Tsardom of Russia by Ivan the Terrible. The reign of Peter the Great saw the establishment of the Russian Empire, which expanded dramatically through conflicts like the Great Northern War and the Napoleonic Wars. The empire's collapse during the February Revolution led to the Russian Civil War and the creation of the Soviet Union under Vladimir Lenin. Following the Great Patriotic War and the Cold War, the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 established the contemporary state, with Boris Yeltsin as its first president. Key events in the modern era include the First Chechen War, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and the annexation of Crimea.

Government and politics

The political system is defined by the Constitution of Russia, adopted in 1993. Executive power is vested in the President of Russia, currently Vladimir Putin, who appoints the Prime Minister of Russia and the Government of Russia. The bicameral legislature, the Federal Assembly, consists of the State Duma and the Federation Council. Dominant political parties include United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. The judiciary is headed by the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Supreme Court of Russia. Foreign policy is significantly influenced by relationships with entities like NATO, the European Union, and through organizations such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Administrative divisions

It is a federation comprising 85 federal subjects, which are grouped into eight federal districts: Central Federal District, Northwestern Federal District, and others. These subjects include republics like Tatarstan and Chechnya, oblasts such as Moscow Oblast and Sverdlovsk Oblast, krais like Krasnodar Krai, autonomous okrugs including the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and federal cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Key economic and administrative regions include the Volga Federal District, the Ural Federal District, and the Far Eastern Federal District. The Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are subjects whose international status is disputed.

Economy

It possesses one of the world's largest economies, heavily reliant on its vast natural resources. It is a leading global producer and exporter of natural gas, petroleum, and metals, with major corporations like Gazprom, Rosneft, and Norilsk Nickel. Other significant industries include defense manufacturing with exports from Rostec, aerospace through United Aircraft Corporation, and nuclear power managed by Rosatom. Major infrastructure projects include the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Power of Siberia pipeline. Key financial and trade institutions are the Moscow Exchange, the Central Bank of Russia, and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Demographics

It is the most populous country in Europe, with a diverse population of over 146 million people. The largest ethnic group is the Russians, with significant minorities including Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chuvash, and Chechens. The predominant religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with Islam as the second-largest faith, particularly in regions like the North Caucasus. Major population centers are concentrated west of the Ural Mountains, in cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Kazan. The country faces demographic challenges including population decline and an aging populace.

Culture

It has a rich cultural heritage spanning literature, music, visual arts, and performing arts. World-renowned literary figures include Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov. The classical music tradition is epitomized by composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, and the group The Five. Notable contributions to ballet originate from the Bolshoi Theatre and the Mariinsky Theatre, while visual arts flourished through movements like the Peredvizhniki and artists such as Wassily Kandinsky. The Russian language is a primary East Slavic language and a key element of the national identity. Scientific legacy is marked by figures like Dmitri Mendeleev and achievements such as the launch of Sputnik 1.

Category:Countries in Europe Category:Countries in Asia