2. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq mi) and with 142 million people, Russia is by far the largest country in the world, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth’s land area, and ninth- largest by population

3. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, demolished during the Soviet period, was reconstructed from 1990–2000 Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism are Russia’s traditional religions.

4. Russia's literary history dates back to the 10th century and by the early 19th century a native tradition had emerged, producing some of the greatest writers of all time. This period began with Alexander Pushkin, considered to be the founder of modern Russian literature and often described as the "Russian Shakespeare". Leo Tolstoy Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Music in 19th century Russia was defined by the tension between classical composer Mikhail Glinka and his followers, who embraced Russian national identity and added religious and folk elements to their compositions, and the Russian Musical Society led by composers Anton and Nikolay Rubinstein, which was musically conservative. The later Romantic tradition of Tchaikovsky was brought into the 20th century by Sergei Rachmaninoff, one of the last great champions of the Romantic style of European classical music

5. Moscow is the capital of Russia, and the country’s economic, financial, educational, and transportation centre. It is located on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Moscow is the largest city in Europe. Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union and the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the pre-Imperial Russian state. It is the site of the Kremlin, which now serves as the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. The Moscow Kremlin and the Moskva River

6. Ostankino Tower Arc d'Triumphe (Triumphal Arch) on Kutuzov Avenue, dedicated to victory over Napoleon's army The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts Tretyakov Gallery Bolshoi theatre The Moscow Zoo entrance