Information about Russia

Russian Federation : a vast territory

Russia today is no longer the same as during the Communist Party and Soviet Union governance. The party was dissolved on 25 August 1991 and on December 21, 1991 the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) disappears, giving way to a CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).
The CIS includes 15 republics resulting from the breakdown of USSR, who are imposed by Russian Federation. With its 17 million square kilometres is the largest country in the world but also one of the least dense with 7 people per square kilometres.

Alongside these large desert areas, the population has experienced demographic changes with high concentration regions and a significant number of cities exceeding one million inhabitants. This huge country, 75% in northern Asia and 25% in Eastern Europe, presents major contrasts.

Although it is bordered by the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, and although some of its coastline follow the Black Sea, the Baltic and the Caspian Sea, its climate is invariably continental (burning hot summers, icy winters). From Europe to Asia, the population is unevenly distributed: in fact, 78% of its population lives in European Russia with an average density of 27 hab. by / square kilometers.
This part of Russia includes very large cities, the two most populated of which are Moscow and St. Petersburg.

“The Russian soul seems to be split between St. Petersburg and Moscow”.

St. Petersburg, the artistic and literary metropolis embodies a certain refinement when the

over-vitamined Moscow underlines the excesses of new “liberalism”.

We cannot write about Russia without dwelling on these two great iconic cities.

Former capital of the Russian Empire from 1712 to 1917, located in the Gulf of Finland in the

Baltic Sea, St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia after Moscow.

With its modern European town planning and with its foreign aesthetics, the new city should allow Russia “to open a window on Europe” and thus contribute to making Saint St. Petersburg a great European power.

St. Petersburg has preserved a unique architecture since the tsars era which makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Second Russian port on the Baltic Sea after Primorsk, St Petersburg is a major centre of industry, research and university and education an important European cultural centre.

Second city in Europe by area and fifth by population, St. St. Petersburg is also a concentrate of art, nightlife, gourmet cuisine and culture.

Since 1918 Moscow is the official capital of the country. With over 12 million inhabitants and nearly 15 million estimated (by counting the suburbs), this is the most populated city in Europe and also the one whose budget is the highest compared to all the European capitals. Moscow is also the economic, political and academic headquarters of Russia. The city is resolutely turned towards modernism and foreign trade.

Muscovites account for about 9% of the global population of the country.

Russia has got abundant energy resources. Coal, iron, nickel, diamond, oil, natural gas,

hydropower make Russia a key natural resource producer and a leading world exporter.

Thus, since the end of the communist era, Russia has experienced a high growth and economic

development and has withstood the recent global economic crises such as that of 2008.

Meanwhile, following the establishment of a pro-natalist policy (financial benefits from the second child) and the fight against mortality (reorganization of the health system and improved medical facilities) in 2013, for the first time since 1991, the Russian population has naturally increased and the number of births became higher than the death number.

That is why the population and society have evolved with new prospects. The new living standards are generally higher than they used to be although disparities between regions still remain.

In Moscow and St. Petersburg, comfort and living standards are the highest in Russia. With their many recent improvement both cities are completely comparable to the French ones.

Russia welcomes you

All the major cities have well organized public transport. A taxi ride will cost you only a few euros. The calculated rate is based on mileage rather than the “past time” which prevents surcharges in a slowdown or a traffic jam.

Do you think airports could be closed for six months a year?
Don’t worry, if you are traveling in winter, while in France the least flake nails down air traffic, in Russia, the planes land and take off without any problems.

Enjoy Russia in winter as well!

This huge country is immensely beautiful.
You can let romance start for a New Year visit of The Red Square beside your beloved.
Further north, in a beautiful forest safely go together for a sleigh ride with the discreet presence of the guide who will offer you a full program: shashlik, sledding, bagna.
Or in Samara, on a beautiful sunny day, you may plan a splendid walk on the ice covered Volga!

Many cities and regions offer a real tourist attraction: you will be captivated by the powerful charm of the enclave of Kaliningrad, on the Baltic Sea, of Novgorod, located on the lake Ilmen or even of Tver at the confluence of the Volga with Tvertsa River, of Nizhny Novgorod at the confluence of the Volga and the Oka, of Kirov crossed by Vyatka and watered by the Iset River, etc.

Seaside tourism on the “Russian Riviera” is also popular.

The resorts of the Black Sea such as Sochi, Gelendzhik and Anapa attracts a Russian clientele and foreign tourists as well as for cruises on the Volga, the Lena and Yenisey, or travels in Transiberian connecting Moscow to Vladivostok on more than 9000 km!

Let yourself be tempted by the seduction of these exotic destinations!

Many brand new shopping centres and countless small shops located in all districts are still struggling to combat the Westerners negative stereotypes.

Stop some clichés and false information about Russia !

Russia suffers preconceptions.

Beware of the grizzly!
Don’t be afraid, there are no bears wandering in the streets!

The Russians drink vodka, it is true, they invented it! But no more than we drink wine or beer!

Some of them do not even drink at all. The alcohol per capita consumption is not higher than ours.

The legal blood alcohol level for driving is zero. This zero tolerance offense is strictly enforced and highly punishable.

Though, alcoholism remains a problem for Russia as in many other countries of the world, France included.

The way of drinking is the bottom line. It is unequally distributed between men and women.

In Russia, climate can be very cold!

This is real but deserves some clarification.

Russian territory is composed of several climatic zones.

In summertime, it is very hot all over Russia including Siberia.

Russian climate is continental: icy winters, burning hot summers.
However, the temperature is not the same throughout the whole of Siberia, for example. Some areas will be subjected to a freezing climate while others benefit less extreme temperatures.

The wind can be very violent and accentuates the cold effect.
It is important to consider this to best prepare your trip.

The recommended equipment is: a padded jacket, made of goose down, adapted to low temperatures, a pair of stuffed shoes with thick soles, gloves, scarf and hat (essential to protect your head from the cold of winter and above all to hide your ears).

Move along in complete peace and security

You should also remember that in winter, except for the big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, roads and pedestrian access are not always maintained and this can make walking complicated sometimes.

Driving is completely secure. The vehicles are shod from November with mandatory winter tires and snow is no longer a problem.

If you’re in Moscow, do not hesitate to take the subway.
With its famous resorts and endless escalators, its tube trains and perfectly maintained corridors, underground atmosphere is reassuring and, except during the crowded rush hours, the population is calm and respectful.

If you have the opportunity, take the train! Locomotives are museum quality pieces and the very spacious waggons, if not luxurious, are very well-equipped.

Gastronomy

In all Russian cities you will find many restaurants offering all types of cuisines. The food is excellent. Meat and fish are really good quality, fresh and well cooked.
For some people, a meal is inconceivable without a piece of bread. In Russia you have to order it … and order it several times!

The dishes are not always served by respecting the “à la française” protocol but the staff is at your service with respect and care and with the benefit of a very good value for money!
But do remember that the wine is quite expensive.

The currency/monney

In Russia you will be able to easily change your euros against roubles in banks and their many subsidiaries. There are also specialized desks to change your money in shopping centres and of course you can pay with your credit card too.

Western Europe and Russia, a long love story!

In Russia the image of European people is excellent. Our culture is appreciated and when you speak any european language in public places, the people you meet show both respect and curiosity.