Russia is a land of snow and harsh winters, blooming meadows and mighty rivers, midsummer sun that never sets, a hospitable country with a big heart, talented businesses and amazingly artistic people. There are countless natural, historical and cultural attractions in Russia. 

Russia covers more than 17 million square kilometres. It takes about a week to cross the country's ten time zones by train, and ten hours by air. Russia's population is about 150 million. The national language is Russian. Sixty percent of Russians are atheist, while the majority of believers are Orthodox.

Russia has the largest river in Europe, the Volga; the world's largest lake, the Caspian Sea; the world's deepest freshwater lake, the Baikal; and Europe's highest peak, Elbrus.

Location

Russia straddles both Europe and Asia in the northern hemisphere. It is considered a part of Eastern Europe . Russia can be found in the upper right-hand corner of a map of Eastern Europe . The Ural Mountains run through Russia and separate the European side of the country from the Asian side. Part of Russia, the Kaliningrad Oblast, is separated from the main part of the country in the west. Russia has coastline along the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and the Caspian Sea. Fourteen countries border Russia:
East of Russia: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, and Ukraine
South of Russia: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, Mongolia, and North Korea

Getting to Russia

Moscow and St. Petersburg are its two most popular European cities. These cities are connected to the rest of Russia by air and train.

Climate

One of the best times to travel to Russia is summer, which is also the rainy season. July and August are the warmest months. The coldest time is winter when you can warm yourself up visiting theatres and other places of interest. 

Time

GMT + 3 for both Moscow and St Petersburg.

Currency

The official monetary unit in Russia is the rouble. You are recommended to take US Dollars or Euros; they can be exchanged at banks, hotels and kiosks. Major Russian cities have ATM machines to withdraw cash, and almost all restaurants/shops accept credit cards. It is not recommended to take traveller's cheques with you to Russia.

Religion

Most Russians are Orthodox Christians, but since the population of Russia is quite international, especially in the larger cities, you can of course also come across some Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Catholics or even Pagans around the country. In fact, the dominant religion in Russia depends on the region. For example, Tatarstan is known to be mainly a Muslim territory, while most Buddhists live in the Far East.

Reasons to Visit Russia

1.  The Religious History
The Russian Orthodox Church held an incredible amount of power and prestige during the tsarist era, and the incredible cathedrals in many Russian cities are a must-see for anyone interested in religious history. From the haunting Kazan cathedral in St. Petersburg to the grandiose St. Basil's cathedral in Moscow to the multitude of churches in the UNESCO Heritage city of Suzdal, there is no shortage of breathtaking religious sites in Russia.
2.  The Literary History
Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Pushkin, Chekhov, Nabokov, Bulgakov, Gogol... all of these great authors – and more – lived and worked in Russia. Visit their homes, their favorite places and the sites of famous scenes from their work to gain a new depth of understanding and perspective about Russian literature.
3.  The Art History
The art collection in the St. Petersburg Hermitage Museum is enough to occupy you for days... and that’s only one small part of all the art that you can see in Russia. Nearly every city houses at least one art museum with some amazing works.
4.  The Tsarist and Communist History
See how the Tsars lived at Catherine the Great’s palace at Peterhof and the Summer Palace. Then, visit Lenin’s tomb, take a look at the old KGB headquarters and take in the Soviet-era architecture that you will find in many smaller Russian cities especially.
5.  The food (and drinks!)
You must try traditional Russian food at least once in your life – it’s quite a unique tasting experience. Of course, if you like vodka, Russia is the place to go, but Russian beer may perhaps pleasantly surprise you as well.
6.  The Methods of Transportation
You must see the unparalleled grandeur of the Moscow Metro, and, on the other hand, experience the character-building adventure that is traveling by train in Russia.
7.  The People
Russian people are warm, funny and welcoming – once you get to know them. And of course, Russian women are perhaps the most beautiful and glamorous in the world...
8.  The Nature
Russia is, needless to say, a gigantic country, and the upside of that is that there is a huge amount of untouched nature waiting to be discovered by travelers. You can find some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world throughout Russia – for example in the UNESCO-protected Caucasus mountains and Lake Baikal in Siberia. You just have to be willing to take on a bit of an adventure!
9.  The Entertainment
Russia will provide entertainment for almost any taste. See the world-famous Russian ballet dancers, visit the majestic theaters for a play, or listen to some classical music written by Russian composers and performed by amazing Russian musicians. Russia also has arguably the world’s most exciting nightlife, with world-famous nightclubs, and, conversely, cheap or free live music available in many bars and clubs on almost any weekend night.
10.  The Russian Winter
Don’t be afraid of the Russian winters! Yes, it gets cold, but pack some warm winter clothes and brave the snow, because it will be worth it. You will see a world that looks straight out of a fairytale, you will experience one of the most crucial elements of Russian history, and if you’re far enough North, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern lights!

National holidays 

New Year's Day (1 Jan), Russian Orthodox Christmas (7 Jan), Easter Sunday (Mar/Apr/May), International Women's Day (8 Mar), Labour Day (1 May), Victory Day (9 May), Independence Day (12 Jun), Day of Reconciliation (7 Nov), Constitution Day (12 Dec).