# Russia

> country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, the largest in the world by area

**Wikidata**: [Q159](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q159)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/russia

## Summary

Russia is a sovereign state [1] established on December 25, 1991 . The nation designates Moscow as its capital  and utilizes the Russian ruble as its currency .The country recognizes Russian, Abaza, Buryat, and Ingush as its official languages [2]. As of 2025, the population stands at 146.1 million people [3].Russia covers an area of 17.1 million square kilometers .

## Summary
Russia, officially the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental sovereign state and the largest country in the world by land area, spanning approximately 17 million square kilometers across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Established as a successor state to the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991, it operates as a federal semi-presidential republic with Moscow as its capital. A permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Russia plays a significant role in global geopolitics, international organizations, and the global economy.

## Key Facts
- **Area:** 17,075,400 square kilometers (as of 2014).
- **Population:** Approximately 146.1 million (as of 2025).
- **Capital:** Moscow (since 1918).
- **Government Type:** Federal republic, semi-presidential system, super-presidential republic.
- **Official Language:** Russian (statewide); numerous regional languages including Tatar, Chechen, and Bashkir.
- **Currency:** Russian ruble (since 1992).
- **Independence:** December 25, 1991 (dissolution of the Soviet Union).
- **Head of State:** Vladimir Putin (President, since 2012).
- **Head of Government:** Mikhail Mishustin (Prime Minister, since 2020).
- **Legislature:** Federal Assembly (comprising the Federation Council and State Duma).
- **International Memberships:** United Nations (permanent Security Council member), BRICS, G20, WTO, SCO, CIS, Interpol, UNESCO.
- **Geography:** Transcontinental, bordering 14 countries and sharing maritime boundaries with Japan and the United States; highest point is Mount Elbrus (5,642m).
- **Time Zones:** Spans 11 time zones, from UTC+02:00 (Kaliningrad) to UTC+12:00 (Kamchatka).
- **Internet Domains:** .ru, .su, .рф.
- **Calling Code:** +7.
- **Driving Side:** Right.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical size and location of Russia?**
Russia is the world's largest country by area, covering 17,075,400 square kilometers. It is a transcontinental nation located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, sharing land borders with countries including Norway, China, and Ukraine, and maritime borders with Japan and the United States.

**What type of government does Russia have?**
Russia is a federal republic and a semi-presidential system, often characterized as a super-presidential republic. The executive power is divided between the President, currently Vladimir Putin, and the Government led by the Prime Minister, currently Mikhail Mishustin.

**When did modern Russia come into existence?**
The modern Russian Federation was established on December 25, 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It succeeded the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) and adopted its current constitution on December 12, 1993.

**What are Russia's major international affiliations?**
Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a member of numerous international organizations including the G20, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

**What is the economic and demographic landscape of Russia?**
Russia has a nominal GDP of approximately $2.24 trillion (2022) and uses the Russian ruble as its currency. It has a population of roughly 146 million people, with Russians being the largest ethnic group, and a life expectancy of about 73 years.

## Why It Matters
Russia is a critical geopolitical actor due to its vast size, nuclear capabilities, and permanent seat on the UN Security Council, granting it significant influence over international security and conflict resolution. As the successor to the Soviet Union, it holds a unique historical and political position in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, shaping regional energy markets and military dynamics. Its extensive natural resources and strategic location make it a key player in global energy supply chains and a focal point of international relations, particularly regarding its recent conflicts and diplomatic tensions with Western nations and neighboring states.

## Notable For
- Being the largest country in the world by land area.
- Spanning 11 distinct time zones.
- Possessing the world's largest forest reserves.
- Having a transcontinental geography bridging Europe and Asia.
- Historical roots tracing back to Kievan Rus' (c. 880) and the Grand Principality of Moscow (1263).
- Operating a vast network of federal subjects, including 22 republics and numerous oblasts and krais.
- Hosting a diverse linguistic landscape with over 30 official or regional languages.
- Being a major nuclear power and a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
- Recent designation as a terrorist state by several entities including Ukraine, the European Parliament, and NATO.

## Body

### Geography and Borders
Russia occupies a vast expanse of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, with a total area of 17,075,400 square kilometers. Its geographical center is located at coordinates 66.416°N, 94.25°E near Lake Vivi. The nation shares land borders with 14 countries, including Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It also shares maritime boundaries with Japan and the United States.

The country's topography is diverse, featuring the highest point, Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters), and the lowest point, the Caspian Sea (-28 meters). Russia extends from the westernmost point on the Vistula Spit to the easternmost point on Big Diomede Island, and from the northernmost point on Cape Fligely to the southernmost point in the Main Caucasus Range. It is bordered by multiple bodies of water, including the Baltic Sea, Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Black Sea, and Caspian Sea, as well as the Sea of Azov, Bering Sea, and Sea of Okhotsk.

### Government and Politics
The Russian Federation is a federal republic structured as a semi-presidential system. The current constitution, adopted on December 12, 1993, established the state as a democratic federal law-bound state with a republican form of government. The executive branch is headed by the President, currently Vladimir Putin, who serves as the head of state. The legislative branch is the Federal Assembly, which consists of the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council (upper house).

The judiciary is led by the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Supreme Court of Russia. The country is divided into numerous federal subjects, including republics like Tatarstan and Chechnya, krais like Krasnodar Krai, and oblasts like Moscow Oblast. Russia has a complex history of leadership transition, with heads of state including Boris Yeltsin, Dmitry Medvedev, and Vladimir Putin, and heads of government such as Viktor Chernomyrdin, Sergei Stepashin, and Mikhail Mishustin.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2025, Russia has a population of approximately 146,119,928. The population has fluctuated over the decades, peaking around 148 million in the early 1990s. The largest ethnic group is Russians (77.7%), followed by Tatars (3.7%), Ukrainians (1.4%), and others including Chuvash and Chechens. The official language is Russian, though numerous regional languages such as Tatar, Chechen, and Bashkir have official status in various republics.

The country faces demographic challenges, including a birth rate of 8.9 per 1,000 people (2022) and a death rate of 12.9. Life expectancy is approximately 73 years. The Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.822 (2021). The population is predominantly urban, with major urban centers including Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Russia's economy is driven by vast natural resources, industrial output, and a growing service sector. The nominal GDP was approximately $2.24 trillion in 2022. The currency is the Russian ruble (RUB), which replaced the Soviet ruble in 1992. The standard VAT rate is 20%. Key economic sectors include automotive, technology, and retail.

The country has a robust digital infrastructure, with numerous online platforms and services. Notable entities include *Yandex Data Factory*, a technological start-up; *Carprice*, a Moscow-based automotive startup; *Rabota.ru*, a major job search website launched in 1998; and *tutu.ru*, a travel website. The government operates the *Mos.ru* portal for public services. Russia's infrastructure includes a right-hand driving system, right-hand railway traffic, and a mains voltage of 220V at 50Hz.

### International Relations
Russia maintains diplomatic relations with a vast array of nations, including the United States, China, Germany, India, and Japan. It is a member of key international organizations such as the United Nations (where it holds a permanent seat on the Security Council), the G20, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In recent years, Russia's international standing has been complicated by geopolitical conflicts. It has been designated as a terrorist state by Ukraine, the European Parliament, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, NATO, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia. The country is also involved in ongoing conflicts such as the Russo-Ukrainian War and the annexation of Crimea.

### Culture and Media
Russian culture is rich and diverse, reflected in its media, literature, and arts. The state anthem is the "State Anthem of the Russian Federation," and the flag is a tricolor adopted in its current form on December 11, 1993. The coat of arms features a two-headed eagle.

Major media outlets include *Rossiyskaya Gazeta*, a government newspaper; *CNews*, a telecommunications and IT magazine; and *REGNUM News Agency*. The *Great Russian Encyclopedia* serves as a universal national encyclopedia. Other notable publications include *Samara Tatars Magazine*, focusing on the Tatar community, and *Vzglyad*, an online newspaper.

Public holidays include Russia Day (June 12), Unity Day (November 4), and Victory Day (May 9). The country also observes Defender of the Fatherland Day, International Women's Day, and New Year's Day.

### Technology and Digital Presence
Russia has a significant digital footprint with numerous online platforms and services. *Mos.ru* serves as the official portal for Moscow, launched in 1996. *Rabota.ru* is a prominent job search platform with a strong social media presence. *Yandex Data Factory* represents the country's advancements in data science and AI. *FamilySpace* is a genealogical portal, and *Spaces* is a domestic social network service.

The country utilizes several top-level internet domains, including .ru, .su, and .рф. The mobile country code is 250, and the telephone country code is +7. Emergency services can be reached at 112, with specific numbers for fire (101), police (102), and medical services (103).

### Administrative Divisions
Russia is a federation composed of numerous federal subjects. These include 22 republics (e.g., Adygea, Bashkortostan, Tatarstan), 9 krais (e.g., Altai Krai, Krasnodar Krai), 46 oblasts (e.g., Moscow Oblast, Leningrad Oblast), 3 federal cities (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sevastopol), 1 autonomous oblast (Jewish Autonomous Oblast), and 4 autonomous okrugs (e.g., Chukotka Autonomous Okrug). This structure allows for a degree of regional autonomy, particularly in republics with distinct ethnic identities.

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2. Declaration of the USSR Council of the Republics regarding the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States
3. Constitution of Russia
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