Russia

Russia is almost 2 times the size of Canada and its total area is 17,075,200 sq km. Of that amount 16,995,800 sq kilometers is land and 79,400 is water. 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. Despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture.

Russia's population as of July 2005 is 143,420,309. Ages 0-14 years cover 14.6% of the population, 15-64 years cover 71.3%, and 65 years and over cover 14.2% of the population. Russian is the official language of Russia. The language has three major regional accents northern, southern, and central.

About 83 percent of Russia's people are of Russian ancestry. These ethnic Russians make up the largest group of Slavic peoples. Members of more than 100 other nationality groups also live in Russia. The largest groups include Tatars (or Tartars), Ukrainians, Chuvash, Bashkirs, Belarusians, Mordvins, Chechen, Germans, Udmurts, Mari, Kazakhs, Avars, Armenians, and Jews, who are considered a nationality group in Russia.

Russia's currency is known as Rouble (RUB). 1 Ruble is 0.0409429633 dollars Canadian dollars. Russia's GDP per capita is 10,700 Rubles which is 424.98097 dollars Canadian.

Average temperatures in Russia range from 21 degrees Fahrenheit in December to 67 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Rainfall is fairly light, with the with the most rain during the summer months. Some parts get as little as 150 mm (5.9 in) of precipitation per year. The most rainfall happens in the westerly mountain regions that receive up to 2,000 mm (79 in) of precipitation each year.

Russia's labor force consists of approximately 74.22 million workers in the year 2005. 10.3% of the workforce is agriculture, 21.4% are in industries, 68.3% are in services, and Russia has 7.6% unemployment.

The president of Russia is the government's chief executive, head of state, and most powerful official. The president is elected by the people to a four-year term. The president, if allowed by the lower house of parliament, appoints a prime minister to serve as head of government.

Russia's parliament, called the Federal Assembly,