Probably few countries have undergone such dramatic changes in the span
of a 100 years as has Russia. Its enthralling history is at the heart
of every visit to this vast land where one will discover the
extravagant riches of centuries of czarist rule, the echoes of the
struggles of the Soviet years, to today’s Russia busy re-creating
itself in the 21st Century. Discover the meaning behind Winston
Churchill’s description of Russia: “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery,
inside an enigma”.
Key to appreciating Russia’s complex nature is spending time
in its two most important cities: Moscow and St. Petersburg. There is
no denying the underlying power that Moscow emits when strolling within
the Kremlin walls; for all of Russia radiates outwards from this
central point that has been inhabited for thousands of years. Here
history unfolds and encompasses Red Square, St. Basil’s Basilica and on
towards the many museums, Orthodox churches and great theatres that
fill the city.
The ‘Golden Ring’ circling north of Moscow is full of
important, historical cities that define the many stages of Western
Russia’s early development. Easily reached from the capital, one can
see such interesting medieval places as Vladimir and Suzdal and the
great monastic centre of Sergiev Posad (Zargorsk).
If Moscow is the focal point of Russia, St. Petersburg is its living
art gallery. Created by Peter the Great and embellished by Catherine
the Great, this city is defined by its architecture and its artistic
soul. Noble palaces have been turned into world-renowned galleries such
as the Hermitage. Ornate bridges that span the city’s canals link the
great avenues like Nevsky Prospekt to the banks of the Neva River.
Fortresses, churches, museums; all glitter magically in the clear
northern light
Several other tours are also available as well - for details, just call
Russia
Country Fast Facts
CAPITAL CITY
Moscow
OFFICIAL NAME
Russian Federation
VISA
The
following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed
with the Russian authorities. However, these requirements are
subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to
check with the Embassy of the Russian Federation and its consulates for up-to-date information.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Russia . The passport
must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected
departure from Russia . Canadians must also be in possession of a visa.
An exit visa is also required and is issued along with the entry visa.
In addition, Canadians must fill out a migration card upon arrival in
Russia . While it is helpful to carry photocopies of travel documents,
foreigners are required to have originals of their passport, entry/exit
visas, and registered migration card at all times while in Russia and
in order to leave the country.
HEALTH
Health
requirements can change at any time. The Public Health Agency of Canada
strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your
individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine
your need for immunizations and/or
preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease.
Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood)
immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to
date.
There has been an increased incidence of rabies in the Moscow region. Taking personal precautions to avoid close
contact with unfamiliar wild or domestic animals, especially dogs, is
the best means of preventing exposure to the rabies virus. Rabies is a
vaccine-preventable disease. Given the unpredictable nature of a
potential rabies exposure, it is advisable to consider all stray
animals to be infected with rabies and to avoid contact.
Domestic pets may also be at risk for rabies exposure. If travelling
with a pet, ensure rabies vaccinations are up-to-date and avoid contact
with wild and/or other animals. If travellers encounter any difficulty
in obtaining a post-exposure vaccine, they should contact the nearest
Canadian Embassy or consulate.
POPULATION
140,702,096
LOCATION
Northern
Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe ),
bordering the Arctic Ocean , between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean
LANGUAGES
Russian, many minority languages
AREA
Total 17,075,200 sq km
Land 16,995,800 sq km
Water 78,400 sq km
Approximately 1.8 times the size of the USA
COASTLINE
3,2197653 km
RELIGION
Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% Note:
estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of
non practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven
decades of Soviet rule
CLIMATE
Ranges
from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European
Russia, subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north;
winters vary from cool along the Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia;
summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast.
