Russia is the largest country in the world spanning 11 time zones. Moscow is the capital city with a population of over 140 million people from over 160 ethnic groups. Russian is the official language. Key attractions include Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow as well as the Hermitage Museum and Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg. Traditional Russian foods include borscht soup, pirozhki pastries, and blini pancakes often served with vodka, the national alcoholic beverage.

1. Russian FederationBy Gordon Fraser

2. GeographyLargest country by total area in the world.Borders Azerbaijan, Belarus, China , Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, N. Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland and Ukraine .Spans 11 time zones.Capital city is Moscow.

3. PeoplePopulation: 140,000,000 As of July 2009.Over 160 different ethnic groups, that speak 100 different languages.Russian is the official language, 27 co-official languages in various regions.The main religion of Russia is the Russian Orthodox.Most people are not religious, a by-product of soviet rule.

4. Russian CultureRussian Currency is called the rouble.1 Russian rouble = 0.034 CDN.Tradition Food and drink:Borshch- Beet soup with vegetables and meat.Pirozgki – Little pastries filled with potatoes, meat, cabbage or cheese.Blini – Like a pancake or crepe, is served rolled with jam, cheese, onions or chocolate syrup.Russian drinks: Vodka ( National alcoholic beverage), tea, mineral water, soda and beer.

5. Places to seeMoscow:The Kremlin:Large fortified citadel .House of the Russia president. Great museums.Red Square:Separates the Kremlin from Kitai-gorod. (Business district)Great buildings surround the square including The Kremlin, Lenin’s mausoleum and saint basil’s cathedral.Cathedral of Christ the Saviour:Largest eastern Orthodox church.Destroyed in 1930 but rebuilt in 1994.

6. St. PetersburgThe state Hermitage:One of the largest and oldest museums in the world.Over 3 million items in the Hermitage.Largest collections of paintings in the world.Occupies 6 palaces including the winter palace.Peter and Paul Fortress:Built in 1740.Founded by peter the great.Large walled fortress with peter and Paul's cathedral in the middle.

7. Things to rememberPlacing your empty vodka bottles on a table is considered bad luck, they should be placed on the floor.Smiling is reserved for friends only, smiling at strangers will make them think your mocking them.Don’t use ATMS that are in the metro or on the street.Bring gifts if you are visiting someone. If you bring flowers make sure that it is a odd number and not yellow.If your single don’t sit at a corner table in restaurants, it’s considered bad luck.