There are more than 100 nationalities in Russia and it is also the
motherland for more than 150 millions people, known as Russians.
According to the political map of the world Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic, and is fundamentally structured as a representative democracy. Moscow is the capital of Russia, whereas St.-Petersburg is known as its Northern capital (Cultural capital).
The Constitution guaranties citizens of Russia religious freedom. Despite the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church plays a dominant role as a religious confession, other world religions are also represented here.
Length of Russia is equal to one quarter of the equator, spanning 11 time zones. When the Kremlin’s tower clock strikes 3 p.m., night falls in Petropavlovsk-Kamtchatsky.
Climate in Russia is very different, because in the North the country is washed by the Artic Ocean, while southern territories are situated in subtropical climate zone. The main part of the country is situated in continental climate zone with the great range of temperature (in winter temperature can fall to – 30,00 C and in summer temperature can rise to + 30 C). While spring comes to Moscow there is already summer in the South and there is still winter in the North of the country.
The most favorable seasons for visiting Russia are - the end of the spring, summer and winter. Some people think that Russia is most attractive in winter.
The vast territory of Russia determines the national character of Russians. They are open-hearted and friendly.
Russia (has been) always influenced by West and East because of its geographical position. Its language, traditions and culture combine many features of different civilizations, from Vikings and Tartars to Teutons and Greeks. That’s way Russians are not like Asians and Europeans.
Rich 
heritage of the past centuries had preserved for us a huge amount of monasteries, monuments and historical buildings. Monasteries played important role in the history of Russia. Originally they were used as fortresses against enemies, later they became religious, cultural and educational centers, where people could not only serve God, but also were educated, wrote books and kept the chronicles. Painting was also developed there. During the next centuries monasteries guaranteed saving of Russian national culture
