About russia

Russia, officially known as the Russian Federation, is the largest country in the world, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Here are some key facts about Russia:

Geography
- Size: Russia covers an area of approximately 17.1 million square kilometers (6.6 million square miles), making it the largest country by land area¹.
- Time Zones: It spans 11 time zones, from UTC+2 to UTC+12¹.
- Borders: Russia shares land borders with 14 countries, including China, Ukraine, and Finland¹.

Population
- Population: As of 2024, Russia has an estimated population of about 146 million people¹.
- Major Cities: The capital and largest city is Moscow. Other major cities include Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg¹.

History
- Early History: The East Slavs emerged as a distinct group in Europe between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE. The first East Slavic state, Kievan Rus', was established in the 9th century².
- Tsardom and Empire: The Grand Duchy of Moscow led the unification of Russian lands, leading to the formation of the Tsardom of Russia in 1547 and later the Russian Empire in 1721².
- Soviet Era: Russia was the largest republic of the Soviet Union, which existed from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991².
- Modern Russia: The Russian Federation was established in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union².

Government
- Political System: Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic. The President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government¹.
- Current Leaders: As of 2024, the President is Vladimir Putin, and the Prime Minister is Mikhail Mishustin¹.

Economy
- Economy: Russia has a mixed economy with significant natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. It is one of the world's largest producers of energy¹.
- Currency: The currency is the Russian Ruble (RUB)¹.

Culture
- Language: Russian is the official language, and there are 35 recognized regional languages¹.
- Religion: The majority of Russians identify as Christian, predominantly Russian Orthodox. There are also significant Muslim, Buddhist, and other religious communities¹.

Notable Features
- Natural Landmarks: Russia is home to Lake Baikal, the world's deepest and oldest freshwater lake, and the Volga River, the longest river in Europe².
- Climate: The climate varies widely, from the Arctic tundra in the north to temperate forests in the south².

Russia is a country of vast landscapes, rich history, and diverse cultures. Whether you're interested in its historical cities, natural wonders, or cultural heritage, Russia offers a wealth of experiences.

If you have any specific questions or need more details, feel free to ask!
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