Russia is the largest country in the world by area, sprawling across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, with a population concentrated in the European west and a Siberian east famous for the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Geography & landscape
Russia sits in Eastern Europe, in the northern hemisphere of Europe. With an area of approximately 17,098,242 km², it is one of the largest countries on Earth, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the cold-temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Moscow, lies near coordinates 60°, 100°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Europe, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Europe region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Russia.
People & society
The population of Russia is around 144M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Russian, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Russia is structured as a federal semi-presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Moscow, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Russia is the Russian Ruble (RUB). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Moscow and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Russia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Russia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Moscow, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +7, and clocks are set to the Various (UTC+2 to UTC+12) time zone. ISO standards identify Russia as RU (alpha-2) and RUS (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇷🇺, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Moscow | — |
| Continent | Europe | — |
| Sub-region | Eastern Europe | — |
| Population | 144M | people |
| Area | 17,098,242 | km² |
| Currency | Russian Ruble (RUB) | — |
| Calling code | +7 | international dialling |
| Time zone | Various (UTC+2 to UTC+12) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal semi-presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | RU | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | RUS | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 60 | degrees |
| Longitude | 100 | degrees |
Did you know?
Russia spans 11 time zones — more than any other country — and shares land borders with 14 nations, tied with China for the most worldwide.
