Official Name: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya (Russian Federation).

Area: Europe/Asia

Size: 17,075,400 km²

Coastline: 37,653 km

Independence: from the Soviet Union June 12 1990

Form of Govt.: Semi-presidential, federal republic

Head of Govt.: Presedent/Prime Minister

Capital: Moscow

Largest City: Moscow

Demographics (2006): 142,754,000.   8.3 /km²

79.83% of the population is ethnically Russian

GDP per Capita (2006): $12,096

Languages: Russian

Geography: Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of area, but is unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world. Despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture. Russia's topology includes Europe's highest mountain, its longest river, and the world's deepest lake. The topography and climate, however, resemble those of the northernmost portion of the North American continent. The northern forests and the plains bordering them to the south find their closest counterparts in the Yukon Territory and in the wide swath of land extending across most of Canada. The terrain, climate, and settlement patterns of Siberia are similar to those of Alaska and Canada.

Climate: One important fact is the enormous size and remoteness of many areas of the sea, resulting in the dominance of the continental climate. In much of the territory there are only two distinct seasons - winter and summer; Spring and autumn are usually brief periods of change between extremely low temperatures and extremely high. The coldest month is January (on the shores of the sea - February), the warmest usually is July. Great ranges of temperature are typical. In winter temperatures get colder both from south to north and from west to east. Summers can be quite hot and humid, even in Siberia. A small part of Black Sea coast around Sochi is considered in Russia to have subtropical climate, where frosts happen only occasionally. The continental interiors are the driest areas.