Russia Report

Russia is the world's largest country in area. It is almost twice as big as Canada, the second largest country. Russia extends from the Arctic Ocean south to the Black Sea and from the Baltic Sea east to the Pacific Ocean. It covers much of the continents of Europe and Asia. Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. St. Petersburg, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, is Russia's chief seaport.

Most of Russia's people are ethnic Russians. More than 100 minority nationalities also live in Russia. Approximately three-fourths of the people make their homes in urban areas. Russian cities have better schools and health-care facilities than the rural areas do. However, the cities suffer from such urban problems as overcrowding, a housing shortage, crime, and environmental pollution.

Russia has abundant natural resources, including vast deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and iron ore. However, many of these reserves lie far from settled areas. Russia's harsh, cold climate makes it difficult to take advantage of many of the country's valuable resources.

Russia's climate varies. In winter an intense high-pressure system causes winds to blow from the south and the southwest in all but the Pacific region of the Russian landmass; in summer a low-pressure system brings winds from the north and the northwest to most of the landmass. Summer temperatures are more affected by latitude, however; the Arctic islands average 4 degrees C and the southernmost regions average 20 degrees C. Russia's potential for temperature extremes is typified by the national record low of -94 degrees Celsius. The High is 38 degrees C. Because Russia has little exposure to ocean influences, most of the country receives low to moderate amounts of precipitation. Highest precipitation falls in the northwest, with amounts of decreasing from northwest to southeast across European Russia. The wettest areas are the small, lush subtropical region adjacent to the Caucasus and along the Pacific coast.

Some holidays the Russians celebrate are New Years, which is celebrated January 1st and, Russian Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated January 7. March 8th they celebrate International Woman's Day. Their Labor day is May 1st. June 12th Russians celebrate Independence Day.

Some agriculture in Russia includes grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, meat, milk, vegetables, and fruits; because of its northern location does not grow citrus, cotton, tea, and other warm climate products.

Russia's capital is Moscow. Their Constitution was adopted on December 12, 1993. Their legal system is based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts. Chief of state is President Boris Nikolayevich YEL'TSIN. No vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months.

Russia's military includes Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces, Airborne troops, Strategic Rocket Forces, and Military Space Forces are classified as independent combat arms, they are not subordinate to