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russia at a glance

Geographical area
17,075,200 sq km (1.8 times the size of the USA). European Russia, Russia west of the Ural Mountains, comprises only a quarter of Russia’s total land mass and is home to 80% of Russia’s population. Siberia occupies 75% of Russia’s land mass and wraps itself around a third of the northern hemisphere. The topography is varied: broad plains with low hills west of the Urals; vast coniferous forest, tundra and permafrost in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions.

Capital
Moscow (approximately 10.4 million inhabitants).

Population
Approximately 143 million people.

People
81% Russian, 4% Tatar, 3% Ukrainian and numerous ethnic minorities.

Language
Russian.

System of Government
Federation. Governed by an executive president and a two-house legislature or parliament.

Currency
Russian Rouble (py). 1 Rouble = 100 Kopeks. The Rouble is non-exportable and available only in Russia.

Religion
80% Russian Orthodox. The remaining 20% comprise followers of Islam, Judaism and other minority beliefs. In parts of the Russian Far East, Shamanism and Buddhism is practised.

Exchange rate (March 2009)
1 GBP = 50 Roubles 1 USD = 35 Roubles 1 EUR = 45 Roubles (subject to fluctuation).

Notes come in the following denominations: 10, 50,100, 500. Coins are also in circulation and come in the following values: 1, 2 and 5 Roubles and 1, 10 and 50 Kopeks.

Time Zones
Russia (European Russia west of the Urals) is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime. From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, summertime is in force in the UK and time reverts to 4 hours ahead of GMT.

Trading hours
9.30am to 7pm or later. Shops are generally closed on Sunday. Banks are generally open weekdays from 9am to 5pm in Moscow and St Petersburg, with a break for lunch. Restaurants, cafes and bars trade ‘til late. In Moscow and St Petersburg, many grocers trade 24/7.

Voltage
Standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European plug with two round pins. Pack a travel adaptor.

On the go is a specialist operator of cultural and adventure tours in Russia. Fun and informative group tours of Russia offering frequent year-round departures at realistic prices starting in Moscow or St Petersburg include highlights such as the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, St Petersburg-city of tsars including the Winter Palace, Pskov, Vladimir, Suzdal and Yekaterinburg. Christmas in Russia, New Year’s in Red Square, Easter tours, visits to Star City cosmonaut centre, tours of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are also a hallmark.