Russia stands as the world’s largest country by territory, spanning eleven time zones across Eastern Europe and northern Asia. With a population of approximately 144 million, Russia possesses enormous natural resource wealth including oil, natural gas, minerals, and timber. Moscow, the capital, ranks among Europe’s largest cities and serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Russian Federation.

The Russian economy historically depended on energy exports, particularly petroleum and natural gas, which provide substantial government revenues and export earnings. The industrial sector includes metals, chemicals, and machinery production. Recent international sanctions have prompted economic adaptation and increased focus on domestic industries and import substitution. However, economic growth has faced headwinds, and the nation maintains limited foreign investment compared to developed peers.

Russia’s governance structure centers on a federal system with significant executive authority. The nation maintains permanent UN Security Council membership and substantial global political influence. Cultural contributions span literature, music, and scientific achievement, with Russia claiming historical significance in space exploration and mathematics. The country faces international relations challenges and economic constraints, yet maintains strategic importance in European and global affairs through energy supplies, military capacity, and geographic positioning across multiple regions and continents.