Russia
Russia spans eleven time zones and two continents, stretching from the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad to the Pacific coast of Kamchatka — a country where permafrost underlies roughly half the land and birch forest seems to go on without end.
Overview
The world's largest country by area at roughly 17.1 million km², Russia borders fourteen nations and faces three oceans. Moscow is the capital and most populous city; Saint Petersburg serves as the historic cultural centre. Russian is the official language; the ruble (RUB) is the currency. The country spans Eastern Europe and northern Asia, with a cultural identity shaped equally by Orthodox Christianity, Soviet legacy, and a vast literary and musical tradition.
Visa Requirements
Visa requirements for Russia are subject to significant change and depend heavily on the traveller's nationality and current geopolitical conditions. Many nationalities require a tourist visa obtained in advance through a Russian consulate. Russia operates an eVisa system for eligible nationalities at certain entry points, though coverage and availability have shifted in recent years. Travellers should consult their own government's travel advisory and Russia's official consular portal before planning.
Airports in Russia
192 airportsAirlines based in Russia
59 airlines
Famous Attractions in Russia
Moscow's Red Square anchors the city centre, flanked by Saint Basil's Cathedral with its nine distinct onion domes. The Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg occupies a Winter Palace that holds over three million objects. Lake Baikal in Siberia is the world's deepest lake, containing roughly one-fifth of Earth's unfrozen surface freshwater. The Trans-Siberian Railway runs nearly 9,300 km from Moscow to Vladivostok. The Kremlin fortification complex remains the seat of national government.
Weather & Climate
Russia's climate ranges from humid continental in European Russia to subarctic across much of Siberia, with tundra conditions in the far north. Moscow summers average around 18–22 °C; winters regularly drop to −10 °C or below, with Siberian regions reaching −40 °C and colder. The best season for most visitors is late May through early September. Pack layers even in summer, as temperatures can shift sharply after dark in northern latitudes.
Interesting Facts About Russia
- Contains over 100,000 rivers of notable length.
- Lake Baikal holds 20% of Earth's surface freshwater.
- The Trans-Siberian Railway is the world's longest single railway.
- Russia has 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- First country to launch a human into outer space.
Official Resources
- russia.travel — official national tourism portal
- evisa.kdmid.ru — Russia's official eVisa application system
- meteorf.ru — Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring
- rzd.ru — Russian Railways (RZhD) official site