If you’re planning a vacation to Russia, you should know that this country has a rich culture and history. Moscow, Russia’s capital, is an important center of political power, culture, and trade. St. Petersburg, the former imperial capital, is a major port on the Baltic Sea. Russia’s state seal features a double-headed eagle. Its economy has been dominated by communism since the fall of the Russian Empire in World War I, when its military fought with the USSR.

The Russian Orthodox Church is the most popular religion in Russia. It was the country’s official religion for generations. During the Soviet era, the Soviet government executed thousands of church officials and closed most churches, so the Russian Orthodox Church’s practice declined. Despite this, more people than ever claim to be Orthodox in Russia. During the Cold War, Russian atheism was state-sanctioned and many people left the church.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US and European Union mobilized tough economic sanctions against Russia. Since then, hundreds of western companies have ceased operations in Russia. These measures have put a brake on Russia’s opening to the west. In addition, NATO expanded eastward after the collapse of the Soviet Union, taking on most of the countries in the Communist sphere. Other nations, including the Baltic republics, joined the alliance. The Russian president may want to energize nationalists at home by threatening the alliance.

Although there is little doubt that the Russian economy is recovering from the early days of the Cold War, the country needs to modernize its manufacturing base if it wants to compete with other countries and the EU. Russia had long been dominated by industrial production, but with the economic downturn, the country had become economically stagnant and even unstable. The economic collapse in the 1990s was followed by a period of high unemployment among ordinary workers. After the collapse, the country recovered from the economic crisis and the recent spike in energy prices, Russia has seen a rebound. However, the recent increase in energy prices has meant that many of its exports and government revenues have increased.

The Soviet Union’s fall has exacerbated Russia’s territorial unrest. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, conflicts with Caucasus-based groups have claimed the lives of thousands of Russian citizens. Some of these non-Russian territories want independence. If secession moves forward, Russia fears that its country will crumble. In this region, there are two main physical regions: European Russia and Asian Russia. As a result, Russia faces several problems that could lead to a polarized society.

The Ural Mountains, which divide Europe and Asia, are rich in minerals, petroleum, and fossil fuels. These resources make Russia ideal for industrial development. There are countless resources for manufacturing and export in the Ural Mountains. During World War II, the mountains kept Russia from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Today, these resources have increased the country’s export profits. The Ural Mountains are also home to Russia’s famous Red Square.