Russia (Russian Federation)
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| Russia (Russian Federation) | |
|---|---|
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| Conventional long name | Russian Federation |
| Native name | Российская Федерация |
| Capital | Moscow |
| Largest city | Moscow |
| Official languages | Russian |
| Government | Federal semi-presidential constitutional republic |
| President | Vladimir Putin |
| Prime minister | Mikhail Mishustin |
| Legislature | Federal Assembly |
| Upper house | Federation Council |
| Lower house | State Duma |
| Area km2 | 17098246 |
| Population estimate | 146M |
| Currency | Russian ruble |
| Time zones | UTC+2 to UTC+12 |
| Calling code | +7 |
| Internet tld | .ru |
Russia (Russian Federation) is the largest country by area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia across the Eurasian landmass. It is a federal state with a long imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet trajectory that shapes its institutions, culture, and global role. Russia's vast territory encompasses diverse peoples, resources, and ecosystems, and it plays a central part in contemporary geopolitics, energy markets, and international security.
History
Russia's recorded political evolution begins with Kievan Rus' and the conversion of Vladimir the Great before the rise of the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the reign of Ivan IV of Russia (Ivan the Terrible). The expansionist policies of the Tsardom of Russia under the Romanov dynasty culminated in the Russian Empire, which engaged with powers such as the Ottoman Empire, Napoleonic Wars, and the Crimean War. The 1917 February Revolution and October Revolution led to the creation of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the formation of the Soviet Union. The Russian Civil War and leaders like Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin shaped Soviet industrialization, collectivization, the Five-Year Plans, and the USSR's role in World War II (the Great Patriotic War). The late Soviet era saw reforms under Mikhail Gorbachev—perestroika and glasnost—and the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 with figures such as Boris Yeltsin presiding over the Russian Federation's emergence. The post-Soviet period includes economic transformation, the 1998 Russian financial crisis, political consolidation under Vladimir Putin, conflicts involving Chechnya, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and the 2014 annexation of Crimea, followed by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and ensuing international responses.
Geography and Environment
Russia's geography includes the Ural Mountains dividing Europe and Asia, the West Siberian Plain, the Central Siberian Plateau, and the Russian Far East. It borders countries including China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, and Finland, and touches seas such as the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. Major rivers like the Volga River, Ob River, Yenisei River, and Lena River drain vast basins, while lakes such as Lake Baikal hold unique biodiversity. Russia's climate ranges from Arctic tundra in Sakha Republic to temperate zones around Saint Petersburg, with environmental issues involving permafrost thaw, deforestation, air pollution, and oil and gas development in regions like Yamal Peninsula and Kara Sea.
Government and Politics
The Russian Federation is organized as a federation of federal subjects including oblasts, krais, republics, autonomous okrugs, and federal cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Political institutions center on the President of Russia and the Government of Russia headed by the Prime Minister of Russia. The bicameral Federal Assembly comprises the Federation Council and the State Duma. Prominent political parties include United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. Key legal and constitutional milestones include the 1993 Constitution and decisions by the Constitutional Court of Russia. Russian politics features interactions among figures such as Dmitry Medvedev, Sergey Lavrov, and institutions like Roscosmos and Central Bank of the Russian Federation in domestic and policy-making roles.
Economy
Russia's economy is resource-rich, with major sectors in oil and gas production led by companies such as Gazprom, Rosneft, and Lukoil, and significant mineral extraction in regions like Kemerovo Oblast and Sakha Republic. The energy infrastructure includes pipelines like Nord Stream and ports such as Novorossiysk. Industrial and technological assets involve enterprises such as United Aircraft Corporation, Rostec, and the aerospace sector centered on Baikonur Cosmodrome (leased in Kazakhstan). Russia is a member of multilateral groupings like the BRICS and engages in trade with partners including China, European Union, Turkey, and Belarus. Economic challenges include sanctions following the 2014 Crimea events and the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022), currency volatility, demographic constraints, and infrastructure investment needs addressed by programs involving the Ministry of Economic Development (Russia).
Demographics and Society
Russia's population comprises many ethnic groups including Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chuvash people, Chechens, and Avars, with significant urban centers in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg. Religions include Russian Orthodox Church, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. Social policies, public health institutions such as the Ministry of Health (Russia), education systems including Lomonosov Moscow State University and Saint Petersburg State University, and demographic trends—aging population, migration from former Soviet states, and rural depopulation—shape society. Cultural memory and public commemorations engage sites like the Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery and events such as Victory Day (9 May).
Culture
Russian culture spans literature, visual arts, music, and cinema with figures like Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky, and filmmakers such as Andrei Tarkovsky. Architectural landmarks include the Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral, and Hermitage Museum. Ballet companies like the Bolshoi Ballet and Mariinsky Ballet and artists such as Anna Pavlova are internationally renowned. Scientific and technological contributions link to names like Dmitri Mendeleev, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Sergei Korolev, and institutions including Russian Academy of Sciences. Media and publishing, museums, and festivals reflect diverse regional traditions across republics like Tatarstan and Buryatia.
Foreign Relations and Military
Russia projects power through its armed forces—the Russian Armed Forces—and defense industries including Almaz-Antey and United Shipbuilding Corporation. Military engagements and diplomacy involve interactions with NATO, the United Nations Security Council (permanent member), regional organizations like the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and bilateral relations with China, India, Turkey, and Iran. Notable security events include the Russo-Georgian War, the Crimea events of 2014, and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, with global responses including sanctions by the European Union and the United States. Nuclear policy associates with treaties such as the New START agreement and institutions like the Rosatom state corporation.
Category:Countries