Russia
Russia’s people and history are as rich and expansive as its size. Known as the Russian Federation, Russia is twice the size of the United States and spans across eleven time zones. Among other unique characteristics, this country features Europe’s highest mountain (Mount Elbrus) deepest lake (Baikal) and longest river (Volga) it also has one of the greatest travel attractions in the world – the Siberian Railway, which stretches across 8 time zones from Europe to Asia. Russia has a rich, diverse population and booming economy, filled with people of a truly endearing, generous nature making Russia a spectacular travel experience and a wonderful place to live.
Climate
Russia is famous for its freezing temperatures in winter, however its capital is located in the middle of the continent, thus it has a continental climate. Because of Russia’s massive size, and because most of its land is more than 400 kilometers from the sea many regions of Russia experience six months of snow. February is its coldest month with daily temperatures sometimes plummeting to 10 degrees below zero in Moscow. The average yearly temperature of nearly all of European Russia is below freezing, and Russia has two seasons, summer and winter, rarely varying in temperature during each season.
Languages
The Russian language is a Slavic language, and is the primary language of Eurasia. It is also the largest native language in Europe, totaling approximately 164 million speakers. Because the Soviet Union is a “superpower” the Russian language has had much political importance, and is one of the official languages of the United Nations.
Religions
The primary religion in Russia is Russian Orthodox, thus the Russian Orthodox Church is the most dominant of all in the country. Islam is the second largest religion in Russia, and a large percentage (as much as 48%) of Russians considers themselves Atheists. Religion greatly depends upon a Russian’s ethnic background, for example most Slavs consider themselves Orthodox.
Major Cities
Moscow
Founded in 1147, Moscow, former capital of the Soviet Union, is the capital and most major city in Russia. Home to 10 million people, it is also Europe’s largest city, and is located near the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of Russia. The Kremlin, a major world landmark in Red Square, is the home to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin. Russia did not have a president until 1991, when Boris Yeltsin was appointed. Moscow is home to the world largest population of billionaires, and is considered the world’s most expensive cities for expatriate employees. Moscow also has the world busiest metro system, which is famous for its incredible architecture.
St. Petersburg
Located in the Northwest Federal district of Russia, St. Petersburg was founded in 1708 by Tsar Peter the Great who named it a “Window to Europe.” It was the capital of Russian empire for more than 200 years until being moved to Moscow in the Russian Revolution. The population of this city is approximately 4.7 million.
Russian Culture
The Russian Federation is a vast country spreading across eleven time zones. Even after the break up of the Soviet empire, it is still the world's largest country with nearly 150 million inhabitants. About 75 percent of the population is urban residents, with Russians and Ukrainians representing the largest ethnic groups in Moscow, followed by nearly 250,000 Tatars. With more than eleven million inhabitants, Moscow is the largest city in Europe, as well as one of the largest on a global scale.
Time Zones in Russia
European Kaliningrad +2 hours from GMT
Europe Moscow +3 hours from GMT
Europe Samara +4 hours from GMT
Asia/Yekaterinburg +5 hours from GMT
Asia/Omsk +6 hours from GMT
Asia/Krasnoyarsk +7 hours from GMT
Asia/Irkutsk +8 hours from GMT
Asia/Yakutsk +9 hours from GMT
Asia/Vladivostok +10 hours from GMT
Asia/Macadam +11 hours from GMT
Asia/Kamchatka +12 hours from GMT
Climate
Russia is well known for its frigid winter. You can expect snow between the months of November and March, with the average temperature in January in Moscow hovering around negative ten degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). This does not mean, however, that temperatures in November, December, January or February will not reach negative twenty three degrees or less (negative nine degrees Fahrenheit). During the winter months it is common for darkness to obscure the cities and towns by late afternoon.
The warmest months in Moscow are typically June, July and August. Daylight during these months will sometimes last until late in the evening. In the summer in Moscow there are 17.5 hours of daylight. Up as far north as St. Petersburg there are up to 19 hours of daylight. The average temperature in June will be about 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit), though temperatures throughout the summer months can reach 30 degrees Celsius, plus! While you can expect snow during the winter months, from April to May and from September to October, you should expect rain. The average temperature in September will be about eleven degrees Celsius (51 degrees Fahrenheit).
The Culture
When greeting each other, Russians traditionally shake hands and state their name, using their first name, then their father’s name plus their family name. When greeting friends of the same sex, a kiss on the cheek is customary however men and women will only publicly express affection when romantically involved, related, or married.
Russians are conservative in many ways, including their style of dress, work ethic, and general demeanor towards others. They are a people that pride themselves on generosity, hospitality, and neighborly affection. Their traditional hospitality is always evident by their welcoming nature and giving of rare expensive gifts when visiting as well as toasting their host during a meal. Generosity is always reciprocated with generosity which is something of which Russian people pride themselves.
Annual Russian Holidays
January 1st New Year’s Day
January 7th Russian Orthodox Christmas
February 23rd Defenders of the Fatherland Day
March 8th Women’s Day
May 1st and 2nd May Day
May 9th Victory Day
June 12th Russian Independence Day
November 7th Great October Socialist Revolution Day
December 12th Day of the Constitution
Expatriate Housing in Russia
Since the end of Russia’s Soviet era, options for expatriates continue to grow. Housing is being renovated according to European standards. These new developments, which include new apartment complexes, truly stand out from the traditional Soviet-era housing. Pricing for a residence in Russia (priced in US dollars or base units) is not at all standardized. Property values vary according important variables. These include: Westernization of facilities, telephone access, distance to public transport, furnished or unfurnished, Soviet-style or remodeled, safety of building and parking areas, and the availability of a land-line telephone which is extremely value and hard to acquire.
If you are a single expatriate, most rental residences are almost always flats. Houses, or cottages, are rarely found in urban areas. Most one-room apartments are less than 50 meters (approximately 540 feet) squared while two-room flats (one bedroom, one living room) are slightly larger, and average in size at 55 to 60 square meters (600 to 650 square feet). Which is appropriate and most comfortable for a single person or couple that does not entertain often or need storage space.
If you are an expatriate who is married or with a small family, three-room homes very accommodating. Ranging in size from approximately 70 to 100 meters (about 750 to 1075 feet) squared, families with children can live comfortably. Some of the largest apartments you can find may be as large as 300 square meters (3200 square feet).
In St. Petersburg, much of the expatriate population lives in Nevskij Prospekt and its surrounding area, the Tavricheskij Garden district including Fontanka and Moika Prospekts. Less urban communities which may be considered by families are generally located on the other side of the Neva river, as well as Vasilievskij Island.
In Moscow, three concentric rings divide the major population. The horseshoe shaped center of Moscow, where one would tour the Kremlin and Red Square, is known as the Boulevard Ring. This small ring is divided by a park area running through the middle that is factory-free and environmentally clean making it a very desirable residential area.
The center ring is also the site of the most expensive housing in Moscow, which includes Tverskaya street, near the Kremlin and almost every street inside the Boulevard ring. A luxury three-room (two-bedroom), a four-room (three-bedroom) or a five-room (four-bedroom) unit is very upscale and expensive according to Western standards.
The middle ring of Moscow is known as The Garden Ring. This area is located in Moscow’s industrial downtown. Expatriates generally live in converted older buildings that now house apartments, located near many international and domestic restaurants.
The largest, outer ring, is known as The Outer Ring Road. Consisting of dreary, unattractive high-rises, this area is located farther away from the center of Moscow making it less desirable for residents. Areas beyond this outer ring consist of less sought after developments and underdeveloped forest.