Russia, with an area of 6,592,800 square miles (17,075,400 square kilometers),  is the world's largest country, which covers almost twice the territory of either the United States or Australia. It ranks sixth in the world in population, following China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil. The great majority of the people are Russians, but there are also about 70 smaller national groups living within its borders. Most of the population is concentrated in a great triangle in the western, or European, part of the country, although over the past three centuries - and particularly during the early and mid-20th century - there was a steady flow of people eastward to the Asiatic section commonly referred to as Siberia.

Capital city - Moscow

Key Attraction in Moscow Kremlin The heart of Moscow, and of the Russian State itself, the Kremlin (literally 'fortified town') is a walled fortress dating back to the city's founding in 1147 (although the oldest extant walls and churches date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries). It was the seat of government for the grand princes and tsars from 1276 to 1712 and for the Communist government from 1918 to the present. The red-brick walls and towers enclose a number of churches and palaces and, once past the soviet-era Palace of Congresses, the visitor will find a pleasing ensemble around the main square.

National currency - Russian rouble (1 rouble = 100 kopecks)

Population - over 145.7 million people (estimate 1999)

Languages - Russian (official), with over 100 other languages and dialects

Education - 99% literacy

Religion - Russian Orthodox, Islamic, Judaic, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhistic, other

Flag - The Russian flag was originally used by the Russian Empire. The red, white and blue stripes stood for the union of Russia, Belorussia (Belarus), and Ukraine. When the USSR dissolved the Russian Federation readopted the imperial Russian flag even though the other two members have now become independent states.

The Hermitage Museum   (http://www.hermitage.ru/)
All you need to know about the most famous museum in the world. This is their official website, available in English and Russian. Has excellent updates on exhibitions currently visiting, and offers a good guide to how one can fit as much of the museum as possible into as little time as possible.

Alexander Palace Time Machine   (http://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/mainpage.html)
Via a distinguished bit of web design, at this site created by Bob Atchison, you are taken on a tour of Russian palaces and given access to biographies, diaries and all sorts of Romanov memorabilia.

Museum.ru   (http://www.museum.ru/)
Guide to hundreds of museums and galleries in Russia. Includes news, virtual tours, contact details, and interactive maps.

Fabergé Easter Eggs   (http://www.moscowkremlin.ru/faberge/faberge_e.html)
The precious Easter Eggs created for the Russian Imperial Family by the famous Russian jeweler Karl Faberge take the particular place among other items of his collection.

Russian History   (http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~mes/russia/history.html)
Pictures and photos of Russia's historical heritage from Genghis Khan to the czars.

Bolshoi Theatre, The State Academic.   (http://www.bolshoi.ru/)

Kirov Ballet   (http://www.webcom.com/shownet/kirov/)
Information about the Kirov Academy in Washington DC and the Kirov-Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg.

Photographer.ru   (http://www.photographer.ru/)
A virtual communication space for people concerned with the development of Russian photography and brought together with the internet.

Virtual Space Museum   (http://vsm.host.ru/)
This site is devoted to Russian cosmonautics, its principle is "it's better to see once, than to hear 100 times". Here you will find photos (including rare ones), schemes, and the most important - 3D models of spacecraft and launch pads.

Rusland.start.be   (http://rusland.start.be/)
Fine selection of Russia related sites, find any information about Russian language, literature, arts, search engines, business, education, travel, religion, sports, etc...

All Regions Of Russia by Pictures   (http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~mes/russia/photo.html)
The server links hundreds photo collections with pictures of all major Russian cities, rural places and wild nature. All pictures are arranged by regions.

City.Net - Russia   (http://www.city.net/countries/russia/)
Maps, city information, and links to other Russian pages

Yahoo - Russian Cities   (http://www.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Russia/Cities/)
Yahoo's Russian Cities Index

Destination Moscow   (http://www.lonelyplanet.com.au/dest/eur/mos.htm)
Lonely Planet's city guide with background and practical information, slideshow and travelers reports.

Destination St. Petersburg   (http://www.lonelyplanet.com.au/dest/eur/stp.htm)
Lonely Planet's city guide with slide show and travelers' reports. Includes annotated links.

Cities of Russia   (http://www.city.ru/)
The biggest collection of information dedicated to cities throughout Russia

WEATHER in RUSSIA   (http://meteo.infospace.ru/)
The 4-day forecast of weather in ANY region of Russia.

By Air :

Moscow Airport, Sheremetyevo International (SVO)   (http://www.sheremetyevo-airport.ru/)
Tel: (095) 155 5045 or 245 0002. Fax: (095) 578 1832.
Located 35km (22 miles) from Moscow (journey time - about 45 minutes). Sheremetyevo is the largest of Moscow's airports (the city's other airports are Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Bykovo), and the only one to receive flights from Western destinations. It has two terminals with Sheremetyevo-2 for international flights.

Major Airlines, Aeroflot   (http://www.aeroflot.org/)
Every year Aeroflot carries over 110 million passengers on routes with the total length exceeding one million kilometres. Aeroflot offers you the opportunity to fly to 93 countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

• Eastline.ru
-- Eastline Hompage.

• Lufthansa.ru
-- Lufthansa German Airlines in Russia & C.I.S.

• Transaero Airlines
• Vladavia.ru
-- Vladivostok airlines.

• Bestfly.ru
-- find the best rates for any flight in Russia.

• Cheapairlines.com
-- cheap Airline tickets and vacation packages.
• Economytravel.com
-- travel around in Europe at Low cost, cheap tickets.

By Rail :

By far the easiest and most pleasant way to get around the city is on the metro system.

• Moscow Tram System   (http://tram.ruz.net/)
• Moscow Metro Map   (http://www.metro.ru/map/2003.html)
• St. Petersburg Metro   (http://www.metro.spb.ru/)

By Bus :

• Buses in St. Petersburg   (http://www.cityvision2000.com/transport/bus.htm)