Overview
Russia emerged from a decade of post-Soviet economic and political turmoil to reassert itself as a world power. Income from vast natural resources, above all oil and gas, have helped Russia overcome the economic collapse of 1998. The state-run gas monopoly Gazprom is the world's largest producer and exporter, and supplies a growing share of Europe's needs. Economic strength has allowed Vladimir Putin to enhance state control over political institutions and the media, buoyed by extensive public support for his policies as prime minister, president and now prime minister again. Spanning 11 time zones, Russia is the largest country on earth in terms of surface area, although large tracts in the north and east are inhospitable and sparsely populated.
Map
Facts
| Full name | Russian Federation |
|---|---|
| Population: | 142.8 million (UN, 2008) |
| Capital: | Moscow |
| Area: | 17 million sq km (6.6 million sq miles) |
| Major language: | Russian |
| Major religions: | Christianity, Islam |
| Life expectancy: | 59 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit: | 1 rouble = 100 kopecks |
| Main exports | Oil and oil products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, weapons and military equipment |
| GNI per capita | US $7,560 (World Bank, 2007) |
| Internet domain: | .ru |
| International dialling code: | +7 |
Knowledge
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Timeline: Soviet UnionCountry profiles
A chronology of key events: 1917 April - Lenin and other revolutionaries return to Russia from Germany. VLADIMIR LENIN Main player in 1917 Bolshevik revolution Born in Simbirsk, Russia, in 1870 1918: Survives assassination attempt 1924: Dies from a stroke; his tomb in Red Square becomes a...
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Science & Nature - Climate ChangeScience & Nature
Country # People United Kingdom 180,156 United States of America 25,776 Brazil 503 China 418 India 523 Russian Federation 808 Sweden 837 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 3 In total users in 171 countries took part. Click...
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History - Loot: Why the Vikings Came to BritainHistory
Swedish Vikings set out across the Baltic Sea into Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia). The word Viking means one who lurks in a 'vik' or bay, in effect, a pirate. The...
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History - Ancient History in depth: Loot and LandHistory
Swedish Vikings set out across the Baltic Sea into Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia). The word Viking means one who lurks in a 'vik' or bay, in effect, a pirate. The...
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Radio 4 In Our Time - Home PageRadio 4 In Our Time
A couple of programmes on Russia and Bohemia, scattered remarks here and there - one could think that Eastern Europe has no history of ideas! That's obviously not the case.
Blogs
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Kabul: City Number One - Part 428 Oct 09 | Adam Curtis - Adam Curtis Blog
He seemed to have forgotten how many of his predecessors in Russia had behaved. But it was the turning point.
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Wednesday 30 September 200930 Sep 09 | ADMIN USE ONLY - Newsnight: From the web team
An independent report into who started last year's conflict between Russia and Georgia has been seized on by both sides as vindication of their position. Russia said the EU-sponsored report recognised that Georgia had started the war.
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A bit of the old world order dies25 Sep 09 | Paul Mason - Newsnight: Paul Mason
Camera spray of Russian delegation!" - causing 27 broadcasting technicians to hit the record button on a feed of pictures entirely controlled by the organisers, of a totally insignificant event.
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Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world ...15 May 09 | Robin Lustig - World Tonight
for gas supplies which would bypass Russia? It could turn out to be a hugely significant step, given the uncertainties of relying on Moscow's good will for guaranteed gas supplies.
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State rights vs human rights?22 Apr 09 | Robin Lustig - World Tonight
Why did Russia back independence for Abhkazia and South Ossetia, but not for Kosovo? Who decides when a group of people who want to break away from the country of which they are a part can do so?
News
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Kalashnikov creator turns 9010 Nov 09Russian celebrities and politicians have been paying tribute to Mikhail Kalashnikov, who turned 90 on Tuesday, at a Kremlin reception. Mr Kalashnikov is the inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, beloved of guerrillas around the world.
Watch " Kalashnikov creator turns 90 " now -
Russia admits police corruption10 Nov 09Russia's government has admitted that parts of the country's police force have been turned into what it describes as "criminal businesses".
Watch " Russia admits police corruption " now -
Russia to decide on death penalty moratorium10 Nov 09 | Europe
The court is deciding whether to maintain a ban on the death penalty Russia's constitutional court has begun hearings into whether the death penalty can be re-introduced after a 10-year moratorium. The tribunal is examining the issue after a request by the supreme court, and will have to make its...
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Russia to resume ISS construction09 Nov 09 | Science & EnvironmentRussia could eventually convert its modules into the core of a new station After a hiatus of almost a decade, Russia is resuming construction of its share in the International Space Station (ISS) with the launch of a new module this week. A...
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Fall of the Berlin Wall: Readers react09 Nov 09 | Europe
Lu Guo BBC RUSSIAN READERS' REACTION I think there still remain walls to be destroyed - on the US-Mexican border, the one in Jerusalem and, to complete the picture, the Great Wall of China. Then we will have a real democracy.
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Russian mixed feelings 20 years after Berlin09 Nov 09 | EuropeThe fall of Mikhail Gorbachev's USSR followed that of the Berlin Wall Russia has been one of the great disappointments for the West following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. But the Russians have their disappointments as well and I got a good insight into Russian thinking...
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Russia's admiration for Stalin05 Nov 09Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has made an unusually outspoken condemnation of attempts to rehabilitate the reputation of Joseph Stalin. In a message posted on his blog President Medvedev called on people to remember the "millions...
Listento " Russia 's admiration for Stalin " now -
Georgian FM sends back passport04 Nov 09 | EuropeMr Vashadze sent his passport in an envelope to the Russian president Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, a former Soviet diplomat, has renounced his Russian citizenship. He was responding to a motion in the Russian parliament calling for him to be stripped of his passport.
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UN nuclear chief urges quick response02 Nov 09Under the plan brokered by the IAEA and agreed by Russia, the US and France, most of Iran's enriched uranium would be turned into fuel rods for research use. Mr ElBaradei said that co-operation from Iran could "open...
Watch " UN nuclear chief urges quick response " now -
Miliband builds ties on Russia visit02 Nov 09Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the UK and Russia would not "paper over our differences"
Watch " Miliband builds ties on Russia visit " now
Around the web
News From Other Sources
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Microsoft yanks Windows 7 tool over open-source10 Nov 09 | Computerworld
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Reportlinker Adds Multi Utility Meter Report,10 Nov 09 | Globe Investor
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The Roles of the Dystrophin-Associated10 Nov 09 | Bioscience Technology Online
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The Wall That Changed Modern History10 Nov 09 | St. Petersburg Times Russia
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Research and Markets: Multi Utility Meter Report &09 Nov 09 | Reuters
Weather
Weather for Moscow
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions |  light rain |  light showers |  cloudy |
| Max Temperature | Max:4°C/39°F | Max:3°C/37°F | Max:7°C/45°F |
| Min Temperature | Min:3°C/37°F | Min:3°C/37°F | Min:6°C/43°F |
Sport
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Skiing: Cross-country10 Nov 09 | Winter SportsRussia's Larissa Lazutina, who was stripped of her gold from the 30km race, and Olga Danilova, also tested positive for the same substance. HOW THE COMPETITION UNFOLDS Each race takes place on a specially designed course with two ingrained tracks designed for the skis. There...
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Haye v Valuev - as it happened07 Nov 09 | BoxingYou can't help but feel a tad sorry for the giant Russian, but he just didn't assert himself on the fight. 2257: Haye takes the majority decision, the first judge scores it 114-114, with the other two scoring it 116-112.
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Murray into Valencia semi-finals06 Nov 09 | TennisRussian Davydenko was not at his best against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez but still had enough class to pull through 6-4 7-6, while Spain's Verdasco had things much easier in a 6-3 6-2 victory against compatriot Tommy Robredo. Davydenko's Russian counterpart Mikhail Youzhny also booked his place in...
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Wednesday football as it happened04 Nov 09 | Football2108: Remember our friend Rafael Sarkov from the BBC's Russian Service? He's only managed to grab a word with Rubin's famously shy manager Kurban Berdyev after his side's goalless draw with Barcelona earlier.
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Kaita out of Nigeria squad04 Nov 09 | AfricanAmodu has also recalled Russian-based defender Chidi Odiah and Brugge striker Joseph Akpala. Squad: Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba (FC...
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Interview: Chris Gunter06 Sep 08Interview: Wales defender Chris Gunter Wales teenager Chris Gunter tells Football Focus the time has come for John Toshack's young side to deliver, ahead of their opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Russia. Watch Football Focus every Saturday, 1210 BST on BBC One and this...
Watch " Interview: Chris Gunter " now -
Russia will have an advantage - Stepanov15 Oct 07Estonia's Andrei Stepanov, who has played for Torpedo Moscow, thinks the inexperience of the England side of playing on a plastic pitch makes Russia favourites.
Listento " Russia will have an advantage - Stepanov " now -
Owen gives England fitness boost10 Oct 07England striker Michael Owen confirms that he is definitely fit for the Euro 2008 Qualifiers against Estonia and Russia and plays down the speculation of a rift between club and country.
Watch " Owen gives England fitness boost " now -
McClaren frustrated by injury jinx09 Oct 07England boss Steve McClaren is upset that the withdrawal of Wes Brown from his squad has added to an already long injury list ahead of the Euro 2008 Qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.
Listento " McClaren frustrated by injury jinx " now -
McClaren asserts Owen authority05 Oct 07England boss Steve McClaren insists whether to play injury concern Michael Owen in the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia is ultimately his decision.
Listento " McClaren asserts Owen authority " now
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