Capital: Moscow
Population: 145 million (2020) (9th)
Rank in territory: (1st)
Currency: Rouble
Currency to US$: approx 68
Currency to EUR: approx 77
Rank in GDP: 11th (1.64 trillion)
Electric Socket: 220V (50Hz) two prong plug (types C, E and F)
Safety
Russia is fairly safe. However, you are susceptible to petty crimes, particularly in major cities, such as Moscow, and in train stations. Note that travelling by train in Russia normally takes a long time and people sleep over, therefore be careful with your belongings when falling asleep. And remember to always travel insured!
Language
Russian – You can get by with basic English, mainly in the major cities - just get by, really. Also, their alphabet is Cyrillic, which makes things even harder. But why not give it a go and try to learn a bit of Russia when you are there?
Religion
Christian Orthodox (43%), Atheist (13%), Islam (7%), Believe in something (25%), Others (12%)
Regions and cities
22 Republics – Nominally autonomous, each has its own constitution and legislature and is represented by the federal government in international affairs. It's meant to be home to a specific ethnic minority. 46 Oblasts (regions) – The most common type of federal subject with a governor and locally elected legislature. Commonly named after their administrative centres. 9 Krays (territories) – Essentially the same as oblasts. The title "krai" ("frontier" or "territory") is historic, related to geographic (frontier) position in a certain period of history. The current krais are not related to frontiers. 3 Federal Cities – Major cities that function as separate regions - Moscow, St Petersburg and Sevastopol (Crimea). 4 Autonomous Okrugs (area) – With a substantial or predominant ethnic minority. 1 Autonomous Oblast (region) – The only autonomous oblast is the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. Most populated cities - Moscow, St Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod Most visited cities - St Petersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Kaliningrad Top 5 Monday Feelings places - St Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk, Vladmir, Ulan-UdeVisa
The citizens of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) member states plus the most of Latin American countries, Israel and South Africa can travel in Russia for 90 days without a visa; visitors from South Korea can visit Russia for 60 days without a visa; while tourists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cuba, Laos, Macau, Macedonia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Serbia, Seychelles and Thailand, can visit for 30 days without a visa.
Free e-visas for visiting three regions in Russia's Far East (Primorye, Sakhalin, and Kamchatka) are available for tourists from China, Japan, India, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Mexico, and some other countries.
Tourists from other countries are required to visit a Russian diplomatic mission to purchase a visa. Tourists are required to have a valid passport when crossing the Russian border. Russian visas cannot be purchased at the border. For more information see the visa policy of Russia.
