Russia is home to a diverse population. While 80 percent of its people are ethnic Russians, there are also numerous ethnic groups that make up the rest of the country. For example, there are the Tatars, who are the second largest ethnic group and practice Islam. Additionally, more than 150 other groups are recognized in the country. Some of these groups are even non-Russian. Other groups include indigenous people from the Arctic, who herd reindeer for a living. In addition, Russia has attracted immigrants from former Soviet republics. Almost all of these ethnic groups speak their own languages and retain their own cultural traditions.

Russia is also well-known for its natural resources. It has a rich mineral and fossil fuel wealth. This makes it an ideal location for industrial development. Its abundance of natural resources means that it can export goods to other countries. The Ural Mountains also act as a natural boundary between Asia and Europe, which makes the country highly suitable for exporting raw materials.

When the Cold War ended in 1991, Russia began a process of transformation. Historically, Russia was controlled by a political elite that had been in charge of the economy. However, the new owners of many companies reduced their payrolls and eliminated unnecessary workers. In addition, Russia began privatizing its properties. This led to an increase in housing costs, which made buying a house out of reach for many people. Meanwhile, the value of the ruble fell sharply. As a result, elderly people watched their life savings evaporate.

In recent years, Russia has been actively interfering in other countries’ affairs and trying to influence global policy through private military contractors, arms sales, political intervention, and social media. In 2014, Russia invaded the Crimea and interfered in the U.S. presidential election, as well as in a number of other countries. It has also been accused of poisoning regime opponents abroad and shielding the Syrian government from using chemical weapons.

Birth rates in Russia have been low and death rates high. In 1992, the country had an abortion rate of 221 per 100 live births. However, immigration from former Soviet republics offset this decline in birth rates. The population of Russia was nearly 149 million in 2005, compared to 147 million in the United States.

The ethnic groups of Russia are organized in several ways. First, they are geographically separated. In the past, they were not given their own republics, and instead were allocated certain regions within the Russian Republic. These regions were created to protect certain ethnic groups. Some of these regions were even allied with the Soviet Union and had less autonomy than other states.

The southern region of Russia is home to the Caucasus Mountains. This mountain range is the tallest mountain chain in Europe. The region is bordered by the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. It also borders Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Ukraine.