General Information...

Russia is the world`s largest state, covering 17075.5 million square kilometres. There are 1,030 cities and 2,153 connurbations. It is located in the eastern part of Europe and the northern part of Asia. Russia borders on Korea, the Chinese People`s Republic, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Norway. Capital of the state is Moscow. The largest cities are Moscow, St Petersburg, Samara, Omsk, Chelyabinsk, Kazan, Ufa and Perm. The state language is Russian; other languages are spoken in various regions. The state structure is federal, with a republican form of government. The head of state is the president, elected for a 4-year term.
Religions are Orthodox Christian, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism among others. Russia is a country with tradition and culture stretching back to the early first millennium. Some of the most famous architectural, historical and cultural monuments in Russia are included in the UNESCO list of Universal Heritage Objects, including the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square, the historic centre of St. Petersburg and the palace and park complexes of its suburbs. Other sites include the whitestone monuments of Vladimir-Suzdal and cities of the "Russian Golden Ring," Troitse-Sergieva Lavra in Sergiev Posad and the Ascension Church in Kolomenskoye. Russian territory is vast, with many zones of much interest.

The State Emblem of Russia

On November 5, 1990, the government of the Russian Federation approved a decision to develop a state emblem and a national flag. A government commission was created to organise the work. After all-round discussion, the commission decided to recommend to the government a white-blue-red flag, and the state arms of a gold two-headed eagle on a red field. These were authorised in 1993 by decrees of President Boris Yeltsin. The gold, two-headed eagle maintains historical continuity in heraldic colours of the XV - XVII centuries. The figure of an eagle goes back to images on monuments from the days of Peter the Great. Above the heads of the eagle are three historical crowns symbolizing in new conditions the sovereignty of all the Russian Federation and its subjects. In its claws, a sceptre personifying the government and the uniform state. On its breast, the image of a horseman with a dragon spear. It is one of the ancient symbols of the struggle of good with evil, light with darkness, and protection of the fatherland. Restoration of a two-headed eagle as state emblem personifies indissolubility and continuity of domestic history. While today`s arms are new, their components are deeply traditional, reflecting the nation`s past and moving forward across the third millennium.

The State Flag of Russia

Adoption of new state regalia for the Russian Federation came after a declaration of independence by Russia upon disintegration of the Soviet Union. The Russian president`s decree of December 11, 1993 approved regulations for the Russian Federation flag. The decree specified proportions which were equal - 2:3 instead of 1:2 - and corresponding more to a pre-revolutionary Russian flag. The informal symbolic explanation of the flag`s colours is white for peace, cleanliness, purity and perfection; dark blue for belief, fidelity and constancy; red for energy, might and blood shed for the fatherland. State Duma deputies, at President Vladimir Putin`s suggestion, approved constitutional laws on the emblem, the national hymn, the flag and military banners on December 8, 2000. The emblem and the flag were left as proposed. The armed forces` banner was made solid red, and that of the navy, the Andreievsky flag. Ratio of length to width is at 3:2 proportions. The Council of the Federation approved the laws on December 20, 2000. The president signed the law on the armed forces` banner nine days later.

Currency

The Russian monetary unit is rouble. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency allowed to be brought into Russia. All money brought into Russia (including traveler’s checks) must be declared upon entering the country. In Russia tourists can exchange any amount of hard currency for roubles in hotels, international airports and sea ports, at any exchange office of authorized Russian banks. Exchange rates are set by authorized Russian banks within Russia. It is prohibited to take roubles out of Russia

Visas

Foreigners can enter or leave Russia or travel by transit through Russia with or without a visa. Visas for entry and exit from Russia are issued by Russian Consulates and Consular Departments of Russian Embassies abroad. To obtain a visa, the following documents should be presented to the Consular Office:

- a valid passport, duly completed visa application, 3 recent passport photos 3і4 cm

- a letter from the travel agency and a copy of ETB confirming the booking of tourist services to secure a tourist visa.

- a ticket or a voucher for a ticket with confirmed dates and itinerary of transit travel trough Russia, as well as a letter from the travel agency with ETB confirmation of services provided on arrival and departure, transfer and excursions in the points reserved by the client to secure a transit visa.

- a written invitation from an organisation or relatives (friends), located or residing in Russia to get an ordinary visa.

The above mentioned documents should be presented in advance to the Russian Consulate in your country in accordance with the rules established by them.

For transit through Russia en route to and from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadzhikistan and Usbekistan foreigners should be in possession of a valid visa for travel to one of the above mentioned states.

For transit through Russia en route to and from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and other foreign states, foreigners should in possession of a transit visa for both parts of the journey. Such transit visas are issued by the Russian Consulates to travellers possessing a valid visa to the abore mentioned countries, unless no other formalities are observed by inter-state agreements.

No visa is required for foreign tourists travelling as cruise passengers on board foreign ships or ships registered in Russian ports and going ashore in Russian ports if they are in possesion of a valid national, international or foreign passport, and on condition that:

- the stop in the port of call does not exceed 48 hours

- travellers stay overnight on board the cruise ship and leave port on board the same ship.

Visas for entry to the states of the former USSR can be obtained in Consular Offices of the newly independent states abroad or through the embassies of these states in Moscow. More detailed information on visa requirements can be obtained in Consular Offices of Russia abroad.

Telephone services
The tariff for postal service and international and local telephone service on the territory of Russia is roubles. Major hotels have post office facilities. Automatic dial telephone service is available in most areas of Russia. Tourists can dial directly from their room phone in the hotel or from special pay phones in the lobby.
 
National holidays

NEW YEAR  - January 1
CHRISTMAS - January 7
WOMENS  DAY - March 8
SPRING AND LABOUR DAY - May 1
VICTORY DAY - May 9
RUSSIA INDEPENDENCE DAY - June 12
CONSTITUTION DAY - December 12

Weather
Temperature is measured in Centigrade in Russia. To calculate it from Fahrenheit, take the Fahrenheit reading, subtract 30 and divide by 2; or conversely take the Centigrade reading, multiply by 2, and add 30. Here are the average temperature ranges of the two main tourist centres: Moscow (-10.8C to 18.5 C) = 12.6 F to 65.3 F; St. Petersburg (-7.7C to 17.5 C) = 18.5 F to 63.5 F.