Russia, located in northern Eurasia, is a vast country that stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, covering nearly twice the territory of Canada, and spans 11 time zones. Russia has a diverse geography, ranging from deserts to semiarid steppes, deep forests, and Arctic tundra. Its landscape includes landmarks such as Europe’s longest river, the Volga, and the world’s deepest lake, Baikal. The country is bordered by a multitude of neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine. Russia has a rich historical and cultural heritage. It was the birthplace of the first East Slavic state, Kievan Rus’, and is known for adopting Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire in the 9th century. Over the centuries, Russia experienced significant political and territorial changes, with the Grand Duchy of Moscow eventually growing into the Tsardom of Russia. By the 18th century, Russia had expanded through conquest and annexation, becoming the Russian Empire, which was one of the largest empires in history. Today, Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic, with the President serving as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The capital city is Moscow, which is not only a political and administrative center but also a cultural and financial hub. Russia’s population is diverse, with ethnic Russians being the majority, but more than 120 other ethnic groups also present. The country’s climate is characterized by extreme temperatures, including harsh winters that have historically played a role in protecting the country from foreign invasions. Russia is a member of international organizations such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and it continues to play a significant role on the global stage.