Russia

LOCATION
• Russia is located in northern Asia with the western portion of the Urals situated in Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean and to the south by Georgia, the Caspian Sea, Kazahkstan, Mongolia, and China. Additionally, this country is bordered by Finland, the Ukraine, Belarus, and the Black Sea to the west and the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, and the north Pacific Ocean to the east. Russia is a large country in size. It is approximately 1.8 times the size of the United States. 

CLIMATE
• Because of the size of the country, Russia has varied climates. In the polar north of the country, a tundra type climate exists; however, Siberia experiences a sub-arctic climate. The Steppes of Russia appear humid with coolness along the Black Sea. Summers vary greatly from the Steppes of Russia to the Arctic coast. 

POPULATION
• As of July 2000, the population of Russia was estimated to be 146,001,175. The population is composed of 81,5% Russian, 3.8% Tartar, 3% Ukrainian, 1/2% Churash, 0,9% Byelorussian, 0.7% Moldavian, and 8.1% other ethnic backgrounds, In total, there are 77,721,682 females and 68,279,494 males. 

RELIGION
• The religious make-up of Russia is predominancy a mixture of Russian Orthodox and Muslim. 

GENERAL
• The official name of this country is the Russian Federation. Moscow serves as the capital. Russia has a president who serves as the chief of state and a premier who serves as the head of government. 

NATURAL RESOURCES
• Despite Russia’s great land mass, the country is not favorably located in relation to sea lanes. Its soil and climate are also not favorable to agriculture, However, Russia does possess some important natural sources. For instance, Russia has oil, natural gas, coal, and a variety of minerals and timber. The great distances and terrain do not make it economical to take advantage of many of:these natural resources.
• Agriculture in Russian produces grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables, fruits, beef, and dairy products. During the Stalin era, farms were organized as collective farms. This process dampened any initiative to improve one’s individual farm land. Russia is currently experiencing a move to modernize and improve production. 

TRANSPORTATION
• Russia has 150,000 kilometers of railway with 63,000 kilometers serving a specific purpose for the government. Therefore, this portion is not available for public use.
• Russia offers 948,000 kilometers of highway; however, only 336,000 kilometers are paved. The greater majority of highway in rural areas is also unpaved.
• Russia possesses 21 ports and harbors with 695 ships.
• The number of airports with paved runways total 630. Russia also has 1,887 airports with unpaved runways. 

CURRENCY
• The ruble is the official currency of Russia. One ruble equals 100 kopeks. 

NOTES OF INTEREST
• Russia is a country that still maintains compulsory military service at age 18.
• Russia also has a limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy. Additionally, this country is known to produce amphetamines mostly for domestic use. Russia also acts a transshipment point for southwest and southeast Asian opiates. This country is a major source of heroin precursor chemicals.
• Facts and courtesy of the CIA World Fact Book 
Visit the Russian embassy in San Francisco using either the Russian or English language at www.vldbros.com/consul/rfcons.html. Visit one or more of Russia’s museums, including Russia’s famous Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, on-line at www.museum.ru/defengl.htm. For views of both scenery and family affairs, visit www.midwinter.com/~koreth/russia/travelogue.