Russia

The World’s Largest Nation and Eurasian Power

Russia, officially the Russian Federation, is the largest country on Earth, spanning Europe and Asia. Renowned for its vast natural resources, cultural depth, scientific achievements, and geopolitical influence, Russia has been a defining force in global history — from the rise of the Tsars to the space age and beyond.

🏛️ Formation & Historical Background

Russia’s history is a tapestry of empires, revolutions, and rebirth — shaping the world’s politics, science, and culture.

Key Historical Timeline:

• 9th Century: Formation of Kievan Rus by the East Slavs

• 988 CE: Adoption of Christianity from Byzantium by Prince Vladimir of Kyiv

• 13th Century: Mongol invasions under the Golden Horde

• 1547: Ivan IV (“Ivan the Terrible”) crowned first Tsar of Russia

• 1682–1725: Peter the Great modernizes and expands the empire

• 1721–1917: Russian Empire becomes one of the world’s great powers

• 1917: Bolshevik Revolution ends monarchy — Soviet Union founded (1922)

• 1941–1945: USSR leads victory in World War II (Great Patriotic War)

• 1991 (Dec 26): Collapse of the Soviet Union — Russian Federation established

• 2000–Present: Modern Russia under economic growth, political consolidation, and global influence

🧭 Basic National Information

⚖️ Government and Leadership

Russia’s political system is a federal structure with 85 administrative entities and strong centralized leadership under the presidency.

🗺️ Administrative Structure

Russia comprises 85 federal subjects, including republics, oblasts, krais, autonomous regions, and federal cities.

Russia is officially divided into 85 Federal Subjects, classified under six categories:

1. 22 Republics – typically for specific ethnic minorities; have their own constitution and official language alongside Russian

2. 9 Krais (Territories)

3. 46 Oblasts (Provinces)

4. 3 Federal Cities – Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sevastopol

5. 1 Autonomous Oblast – Jewish Autonomous Oblast

6. 4 Autonomous Okrugs (Districts)

List of All 85 Federal Subjects of Russia

Republics (22):

1. Republic of Adygea

2. Republic of Altai

3. Republic of Bashkortostan

4. Republic of Buryatia

5. Chechen Republic

6. Chuvash Republic

7. Republic of Dagestan

8. Republic of Ingushetia

9. Kabardino-Balkarian Republic

10. Republic of Kalmykia

11. Karachay-Cherkess Republic

12. Republic of Karelia

13. Komi Republic

14. Mari El Republic

15. Republic of Mordovia

16. Republic of North Ossetia-Alania

17. Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

18. Republic of Tatarstan

19. Republic of Tuva

20. Udmurt Republic

21. Republic of Khakassia

22. Republic of Crimea (disputed; internationally recognized as part of Ukraine)

Krais (9):

23. Altai Krai

24. Kamchatka Krai

25. Khabarovsk Krai

26. Krasnodar Krai

27. Krasnoyarsk Krai

28. Perm Krai

29. Primorsky Krai

30. Stavropol Krai

31. Zabaykalsky Krai

Oblasts (46):

32. Amur Oblast

33. Arkhangelsk Oblast

34. Astrakhan Oblast

35. Belgorod Oblast

36. Bryansk Oblast

37. Chelyabinsk Oblast

38. Irkutsk Oblast

39. Ivanovo Oblast

40. Kaliningrad Oblast

41. Kaluga Oblast

42. Kemerovo Oblast

43. Kirov Oblast

44. Kostroma Oblast

45. Kurgan Oblast

46. Kursk Oblast

47. Leningrad Oblast

48. Lipetsk Oblast

49. Magadan Oblast

50. Moscow Oblast

51. Murmansk Oblast

52. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast

53. Novgorod Oblast

54. Novosibirsk Oblast

55. Omsk Oblast

56. Orel Oblast

57. Orenburg Oblast

58. Penza Oblast

59. Pskov Oblast

60. Rostov Oblast

61. Ryazan Oblast

62. Samara Oblast

63. Saratov Oblast

64. Sakhalin Oblast

65. Sverdlovsk Oblast

66. Smolensk Oblast

67. Tambov Oblast

68. Tomsk Oblast

69. Tula Oblast

70. Tver Oblast

71. Tyumen Oblast

72. Ulyanovsk Oblast

73. Vladimir Oblast

74. Volgograd Oblast

75. Vologda Oblast

76. Voronezh Oblast

77. Yaroslavl Oblast

Federal Cities (3):

78. Moscow (Capital)

79. Saint Petersburg

80. Sevastopol (disputed; internationally recognized as part of Ukraine)

Autonomous Oblast (1):

81. Jewish Autonomous Oblast

Autonomous Okrugs (4):

82. Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

83. Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug

84. Nenets Autonomous Okrug

85. Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug

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🌐 Geography & Environment

• Location: Northern Eurasia, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia

• Borders: 14 countries — including China, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Norway

• Major Rivers: Volga, Lena, Yenisei, Ob

• Largest Lakes: Baikal, Ladoga, Onega

• Mountain Ranges: Ural, Caucasus, Altai

• Climate: Arctic to temperate continental

• Natural Resources: Oil, gas, coal, timber, gold, diamonds

• Environmental Challenges: Deforestation, pollution, permafrost melting

Russia’s Lake Baikal holds nearly 20% of the world’s fresh water — the deepest and oldest lake on Earth.

Local Government Structure

• Municipalities govern at the district, city, and rural levels.

• Local councils and mayors handle education, infrastructure, utilities.

• Governors of regions often appointed by Kremlin-aligned parties.

Leadership & Governance

• President holds extensive executive powers, including foreign policy and military command.

• Prime Minister leads economic and domestic affairs.

• Dominated by the United Russia party.

• Centralized political structure with limited opposition space.

• Tensions with Western nations over Ukraine, NATO expansion, and sanctions.

Law Enforcement & Safety

• Controlled by:

  • Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)

  • Federal Security Service (FSB)

  • Rosgvardiya (National Guard)

• Security concerns include:

  • Terrorism, cyberwarfare, organized crime

• Emergency Numbers:

  • 102 – Police

  • 103 – Ambulance

  • 101 – Fire

🕍 Religion, Language & Culture

Cultural Highlights:

• Literature: Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Chekhov

• Music: Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky

• Ballet: Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres

• Architecture: Onion-domed cathedrals, Kremlin fortresses

• Cuisine: Borscht, pelmeni, blini, caviar, kvass

• Festivals: Victory Day, Maslenitsa, Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7)

📈 Economy & Key Sectors

Russia is a global economic powerhouse, rich in energy and natural resources.

Russia is also a founding member of BRICS, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and SCO — major global alliances.

🎓 Education & Healthcare

Russia is renowned for its scientific and space achievements — including launching the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space (1961).

✈️ Transport & Infrastructure

🏞️ Tourism & Attractions

Russia offers a vast spectrum of landscapes, heritage sites, and cultural treasures.

Top Destinations:

• Moscow: Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Saint Petersburg: Hermitage Museum, Winter Palace, canals

• Lake Baikal: World’s deepest freshwater lake

• Sochi: Black Sea resort city

• Kazan: Tatar cultural capital

• Vladivostok: Pacific port gateway

• Golden Ring: Historical towns northeast of Moscow

UNESCO World Heritage Sites include Kremlin and Red Square, Baikal Lake, Kizhi Pogost, and Volcanoes of Kamchatka.

🌍 Global Role & Relations

Russia maintains a pivotal role in shaping global geopolitics and regional balance of power.

📝 Summary

Russia is a nation of vast landscapes, monumental history, and immense potential. From the medieval domes of Moscow to the frozen beauty of Siberia, it embodies the spirit of endurance, art, and innovation. A true Eurasian power, Russia continues to influence global civilization through science, culture, and diplomacy.

📢 News & Articles

• “Russia’s Role in the New Eurasian Order”

• “From the Tsars to Space: The Evolution of a Superpower”

• “Cultural Revival in the Post-Soviet Era”

🎯 Our Mission

This national profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, highlighting each nation’s heritage, governance, and global contributions for education and mutual understanding.

📬 Contact Us

For verified updates, cultural insights, or collaborative research about Russia, please reach out to our editorial team.