Guide to Russia

Guide to Russia

Russia is the largest country on earth and spans eleven time zones and two continents ending less than 50 miles from North America.

11 January 2008

Name: The Russian Federation formerly USSR

Location: Stretches Europe, Asia, Central Asia. bordering with the Arctic Ocean between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean.

Population: 141.5 million (UN, 2005)

Capital: Moscow

Area: 17 million sq km (6.6 million sq miles)

Major language: Russian

Major religions: Christianity, Islam

Life expectancy: 61 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 rouble = 100 kopecks

Tipping: Hotel in cities add a 10 to 15% service charge; otherwise 10% is usual. If a service charge hasn't been added at a restaurant, a 10% tip is expected. City Guides and their drivers also expect a small tip and tipping in bars and nightclubs is common.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard.

Internet domain: .ru

International dialling code: +7

Time zone: Russia is a vast country that span 11 time zones stretching from GMT +2 to GMT +12. Moscow and St Petersburg are GMT +3 (+4 in the summer).

Climate: The climate ranges from the hot dry summers of the Steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; It is subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia.

Visa: Visas are required for entry to Russia. Get this fromthe Russian Embassy in London (www.great-britain.mid.ru) or the Russian Consulte in Edinburgh.

Top Tips Cultural Etiquette:

Do not take photographs of any related to the military. This includes strategic sites and airports.

It is impolite to refuse alcohol, food and gifts.

In Russian Orthodox churches, women should to dres modestly in a skirt and cover their heads with a scarf.

It is a legal requirement for visitors to carry passports for identification; copies are not sufficient.

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