Russia. History, culture, sightseeing

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. It occupies about one seventh of the earth's surface. There are 1030 towns and cities in Russia. Russia has always attracted visitors from different countries and is proud of its architecture, painting and music. As a rule people want to visit Moscow, Saint-Petersburg and the towns of "Golden Ring".

The Russian Federation was founded in 1991. The Constitution was adopted in 1993. Russia is presidential republic, it is headed by the President. The national flag is three colored: blue, white and red. The symbol of the country is two-headed eagle. The history of Russia began in 862. That year Rurik became the first Russian prince having connected Novgorod and Kiev. Then from 10-th to the 12-th centuries Russia was a progressive Christian state, developing very fast.

Moscow is the capital and the biggest city. In 1147, when Moscow began to figure in Russian history, it formed part of the principality of Suzdal'; the date of its settlement is unknown. The development of the little village into a sprawling city dates from 1295, when it became the capital of the newly established principality of Moscow. In 1325 the metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church transferred his seat to Moscow, making the city the national religious capital. It became the national political capital during the reign (1462-1505) of Ivan III Vasilyevich. The seat of the Russian government was removed from Moscow to Saint Petersburg in 1712. In September 1812, during the Napoleonic Wars, the city was occupied by the armies of Napoleon. Russian patriots set fire to the city soon after his entry; the resultant French withdrawal from Russia led to Napoleon's downfall. The Moscow populace figured significantly in the Revolution of 1905 and the Revolution of 1917. In 1918 the new government of Russia moved to Moscow, and in 1922 the city was officially made the Soviet capital. And now Moscow is the main city of our country.

Now there are many places of interest in Moscow: The Historical Museum, the State Pushkin Museum, the State Tretyakov Gallery and others. The main part of Moscow is Kremlin - the oldest historical centre of the city. Red Square is also very famous.

St Petersburg is the second capital of the country. It is one of the most beautiful cities all in the world.

Central St. Petersburg is divided by the Neva River into 4 parts: Admiralty Side, Vasilyevsky Island, the Petrograd Side and the Vyborg Side. There are many interesting places in the city: Peter-Paul Fortress, Palace Square, Winter Palace, Summer Garden, Kazan and St. Isaac Cathedrals.

The "Golden Ring" is a very popular tourist route. It includes old towns and villages. "Golden Ring" consists of Uglich, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Suzdal and other cities.

Our country is reach and beautiful, and I think, that in future it will attract more and more tourists every year.

RUSSIA

The vast territory of Russia lies in the Eastern part of Europe and in the Northern part of Asia. In area, it is one of the largest countries in the world.

Russia is washed by twelve seas and three oceans. The oceans are: the Atlantic, the Arctic, the Pacific. The northern and eastern coasts of Russia are washed by the White Sea, the Barents Sea and by the Okhotsk Sea.

The land of Russia varies a lot from heavy forests and high peaked mountains to deep valleys. Russia is located on two plains. They are: the Great Russian Plain and the West Siberian Plain. There are three main mountain chains in Russia. The Urals, the longest mountain chain, separates Europe from Asia. There are various types of climate on the territory of Russia. But the temperate zone with four distinct seasons prevails.

Russia is a land of long rivers and deep lakes. The broad Volga River system is of great historic, economic and cultural importance to Russia. It became the cradle of such ancient cities as Vladimir, Tver, Yaroslavl, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod.

Numerous canals join all the rivers in the European part of Russia, making it the largest inland water transportation route in Europe.

The Volga River flows in the Caspian Sea, which is in reality, the largest lake in the world. The Baikal is the deepest lake in the world.

The European part of Russia is densely populated. There are a lot of cities, towns and villages there.

Russia is rich in natural resources. It has deposits of coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, nickel, etc.

Russia borders on fourteen countries, including the former Republics of the USSR, which are now independent states.

The history of Russia dates back to the year 862. Now Russia Russia has always played an important role in the world. It is one of its leading Powers.