russia

=Russia=

__Fast facts__
Country: Russian Federation / Russia Population: 142 754 000 ( 2006 estimate ) Area: 17 075 400 km² Language: Russian Currency: Ruble (RUB) Head of Country: Vladimir Putin Capital City: Moscow

__Location__
Russia is located in Northern Asia. Bordering Seas are the Artic and North Pacific Ocean. Europe is west of Russia while Asia is South of Russia. Countries that border Russia are Norway, Finland, China, Mongolia, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukarine, Lithuania, Poland.The seas that border Russia White sea, Korea sea, Laptev sea, Bering sea, Sea of Othotsk, Baltic sea, Caspian sea, Black sea, Sea of Japan, Kara Sea. Russia is such a large country that it covers 11 time zones. Moscow ( Capital City ) is located at 55º 45' N Latitude and 37º 42' E Longitude.



__Geographical Features__
Russia covers a total of 17 075 400 km² with 16 995 800 km² is land while 79 400 km² is water.The coastline of Russia runs for 23 396 km. The European Plain covers alot of Russia reaching from the Ural Mountains to Europe in the East. The Caucasus Mountains in the southwest contain the highest point Mt. Elbrus which reaches 5 642 km ( 18, 510 feet. ). Russia is far from having flat landscapes as the plateus that are in the country stretch for long distances and cover alot of the land area. Russia also has over 100 000 rivers streaming through the biggest country in the world (Russia).

__Climate__
Russia is so massive in land area that the climate is never the same throughout the land. Summers are normally mild to a warmish tempreture while winters can be mild near the seas but bitterly cold nearer inland. Russia lacks continental climate because of the restricted seas that reach Russia's borders. This leaves the country open to weather influences from the Arctic. Russia has only two apparent seasons becuase of their position in the world summer and winter or the wet and dry seasons as some people call them.

__Economy__
Russia has had very many blows in the economic department with crashes and crisis. Russia's dollar is the ruble and the markets are growing in wealth. In 2006 Russia' GDp reached 1.732 trillion which in that year was the ninth highest GDP in the world, the growth in this area was 6.8%. This was driven from domestic goods and other products rather than minerals and oil.

Oil, natural gas and timber are an important part of the exportting industry making up 80% of what they export. Russia is loaded with oil being the eigth largest in the world, largest known natural gas reserve of any state and the second largest coal reserves in the world. It export the largest amount of natural gas and the second largest amount of oil.

__Government__
The Constitution of Russia that is still in use was established in 1993 December the twelth. Russia is a federal presidential republic wher the President is the Head of State while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government. When the President is elected he stands for a 4 year term though he can only be elected 2 times. Ministers are also selected by the President. Russia has a bi-cameral systerm of government having the State Duma, 420 seats while the Federal Council, 176 seats. In Russia system of Government the three types of Government must be kept seperate. The voting age is 18 universal.

__History__
In early times Russia only consisted of scattered tribes it was not till in the 18th that Russia beacme united. Russia fought when W.W.1 came while the war was still on the Russian Revolution came in 1917. This was caused by an economic breakdown, suffering in the war and discontent with autocracy. Between 1917 and 1991 Russia was known as the Soviet Union. During this time Russia/ Soviet Union was in great amounts of poverty. Not long after the Soviet parties came to power their enimies fought back in the Civil War. This Civil War lasted till 1922. In December 1922 the U.S.S.R was formed.

In the years 1929 to 1939 Russia came under a change. The induztrial period came where Russia Joseph Stalin nearly established total control over Russia having power beyond belief. Soon Russia was swept up again into another war this time it was W.W.2. Becoming part of the war when Germany invaded Poland. Though Russia/Soviet Union were succesful in winning the war 26 to 27 million people from their country died during the war. Russia/Soviet Union was soon in versing the U.S in the Cold War. When in 1991 the Soviet Union finally died out Russia lost all the power that it had been given after W.W.2. Russia is known know as Russia and is ruled under President Vladimir Putin.