The Russian Federation occupies a vast territory in Europe and Asia.. Russia has an extensive coastline along the Arctic and the Pacific Oceans, as well as the Baltic, the Black and the Caspian seas. The country has approximately one-quarter of the world's unfrozen fresh water. The Volga is the longest river. The major lakes are Lake Baikal, Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. Lake Baikal is the world's deepest and purest freshwater lake. Russia has the world's largest forest reserves. That’s why the country is sometimes called “the lungs” of Europe. Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain peak in Russia.
Russia has the largest natural gas reserves, the second largest coal reserves and the eighth largest oil reserves in the world. It is the world's leading natural gas exporter and the second leading oil exporter. Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of Russian exports.
Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. The population of the city is more than 10 million people.
The population of the Russian Federation is about 140 mln people. The country is a multiethnic society; it has 160 different ethnic groups. However, Russian is the only official language, though the Constitution gives the federal subjects the right to make their native language co-official.
The flag of the country is the white-blue-red banner. The State Emblem is the two-headed eagle; the national anthem is “Russia, the holy land”.
According to the Constitution, Russia is a federation and a presidential republic. The Russian Federation is a representative democracy. The President isthe head of state. He is the commander-in-chief; he can veto legislative bills before they become laws. He is elected for a six-year term.
The Russian Federation comprises 83 federal subjects. They have equal representation in the Federation Council. Federal subjects are grouped into federal districts. Federal districts are administered by envoys. They are responsible for overseeing the compliance of the federal laws.
Legislative power is represented by the Federal Assembly. It is made up of the State Duma (lower chamber) and the Federation Council (upper chamber). It makes federal laws and has power of impeachment. The leading political parties of Russia are the United Russia, the Communist Party, and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.
Executive power is exercised by the government. The current Russian government is made up of the Prime Minister, two first deputy prime ministers, seven deputy prime ministers and 17 ministers. Most ministries and federal services report directly to the Prime Minister, who in his turn reports to the President.
Judicial power belongs to the system of courts. There are the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Arbitration and lower federal courts.
Being one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia plays a major role in maintaining international peace and security. Russia is a member of the Group of Eight (G8), the Council of Europe, OSCE and APEC. Russia usually takes a leading role in regional organisations such as the CIS, EurAsEC, CSTO, and the SCO.
*Appendix: № 4
Questions for discussion:
- Why is Russia called “the lungs” of Europe?
- What are the natural reserves of Russia?
- What can you tell about the capital of Russia?
- What are the symbols of Russia?
- Who is the head of the Russian Federation?
- Who appoints the Cabinet of Ministers?
- Who represents the executive power of the RF?
- What are the leading political parties of Russia?
- What does the judicial system include?
- What international organisations is the RF a member of?
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CIS - The Commonwealth of Independent States
EAEC or EurAsEC - The Eurasian Economic Community
CSTO - Collective Security Treaty Organisation
SCO - The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
OSCE - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
