Located in Eastern Europe, Russia is one of the largest countries in the world. It is also the most populous. It is a member of the G20, BRICS, SCO, and CIS. It is also a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Russia has a diverse history.

The Russian state began modestly in the fourteenth century when the principality of Moscow was established. After this period, Russia grew into an empire. The empire reached its greatest size by the time of Peter the Great. His government reformed the system of government in Russia on the models of Europe. It introduced local self-management in rural regions. It also abolished the patriarchate. Peter also incorporated the Orthodox Church into the administrative structure. The Orthodox Church is now the largest religion in Russia.

Russia’s coastline extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean. It also includes the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Sea of Azov. Russia’s climate is primarily continental with some subtropical areas. It has a number of major lakes, including Lake Baikal, Lake Onega, and Lake Ladoga. It also has extensive mineral and energy resources. Its mineral deposits include coal, natural gas, and oil. The country is also home to major deposits of timber. Its economy is primarily based on manufacturing, agriculture, and petroleum.

During the twentieth century, Russia saw a number of technological breakthroughs. It was the first country to send an artificial satellite into outer space. It was also the first to perform a spacewalk. Russia’s economy also grew rapidly during the 1930s, which led to the formation of the Soviet Union. Russia is now considered to be one of the world’s top energy producers. It also has the world’s largest nuclear stockpile. It is also one of the world’s largest exporters of military weapons. It is also home to major cultural contributions in science and technology.

Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of land area. Its coastline includes the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Black Sea, and the Baltic Sea. Its land area is 17,075,400 square kilometers. Its population is 142 million. Approximately 73.7 percent of the population lives in cities. The country’s population density is 8.3 people per square kilometer. Most of Russia’s population lives in the European part of the country. Its climates vary from warm in the steppes to cold in the Arctic.

Russia is home to many ethnic groups. Russians have a strong national consciousness, and many feel that their country has been threatened by outside forces. Russia’s foreign policy is very similar to that of the czarist era. In addition, Russia has been involved in a number of hostage crises. It also has a high level of perceived corruption. It is also a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Russia has a number of natural resources, including large deposits of petroleum, coal, and timber. It also has the largest forest reserves in the world. It has a large economy and one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves.