Since the end of the Communist era, Russia has become one of the most sought - after business and cultural travel destinations. A trip to Russia is to discover what has become of the former Soviet power and to see how the country is getting to grips with reconstruction after the collapse of the Soviet empire.

Visitors can see for themselves how the country is coping with change while travelling back to the past at the same time and sample the delights of its Imperial history in the magnificent court palaces of the Tsars. This blend of curiosity and nostalgia makes the political and artistic centres of Moscow and St. Petersburg the essential starting points for an exploration of Russia.

Country name: Russian Federation
Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean
Boarder countries: Lithuania North and Poland South (Kaliningrad), Norway North-West, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus West, Ukraine South- West, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Korea
Major cities: St. Petersburg, Samara, Novosibirsk, Nizni Novgorod, Jekaterinburg, Omsk, Caricyn, Celjabinsk, Kazan, Perm Rostov-na-Donu 1.000.000 pop., Ufa 1.000.000 pop.
Climate: Continental - polar
Religion: Orthodox, Muslim
Official language: Russ
Population: Russian, Tatar, Ukrainian, Chuvash
Capital City: Moscow
Government type: Parliamentary Republic
Currency: Russian Ruble (RUR)