Facts about Russia

Since I am going to Russia, I find it important to state a few facts about this tremendous country:

• Russia is the largest country in the world: 6,592,800 sq mi (17,075,400 sq km).
• They have a population of 142,856,536
• Russian is the official language, but there are 27 other co-official languages in the various regions.
• Russia is a federal republic with a president and prime minister.
• Russia first formed in 862 with the Rurik Dynasty, but really took shape with the founding of Kievan Rus' 882.
• Grand Duchy of Moscow 1283
• Russian Tsardom 1547 - 1917
• Soviet Union 1917 - 1991
• Russia does not use the Euro, instead it uses the ruble (exchange rate is about 30 rubles to the US dollar).
• The capital of Russia is Moscow. 
• Saint Petersburg is Russia's second largest city in Russia.  
• Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great, it became the capital of Russia in 1712.  It was the capital of Russia from 1712 until 1918.
• Saint Petersburg was named not after Peter the Great, but Saint Peter.
• Saint Petersburg was built on a swamp.
• The entire downtown of Saint Petersburg is designated a World Heritage Site. 

More to come!