Population – 141.4 million, Area – 17,075,400 sq km (6,592,850 sq miles), Currency – Rouble (RUB; symbol руб) = 100 kopeks, Flight times – From London to Moscow is 3 hours 50 minutes, and to St Petersburg is 3 hours 25 minutes; Moscow and St Petersburg are served by direct flights from most European capitals, and Moscow also has direct flights many cities in East Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Currently the only non-stop flights from the United States to Russia are offered by Delta (from New York and Atlanta to Moscow) and Aeroflot (from New York, Washington and Los Angeles to Moscow), Cities – Moscow (capital), St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhniy-Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Rostov-on-the Don, Samara, Time Zone – The Russian Federation is divided into 11 time zones; Kaliningrad: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Moscow, St Petersburg, Astrakhan: GMT +3 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Izhevsk and Samara: GMT +4 (GMT +5 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Perm, Ekaterinburg, Surgut: GMT +5 (GMT +6 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Omsk and Novosibirsk: GMT +6 (GMT +7 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Abakan, Norilsk, Tura: GMT +7 (GMT +8 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Bratsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude: GMT +8 (GMT +9 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Mirnyy, Tynda, Yakutsk: GMT +9 (GMT +10 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno- Sakhalinsk: GMT +10 (GMT +11 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Magadan, Chirskiy: GMT +11 (GMT +12 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October); Anadyr, Petropavlosk-Kamchatskiy: GMT +12 (GMT +13 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October), Weather –Summer sunshine may be nine hours a day, but winters can be very cold, Languages – Russian is the official language, although there are over 100 other languages. English is widely spoken by younger people as well as some educated older people, Religion – Mainly Christian with the Russian Orthodox Church being the largest Christian community; Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish minorities also exist, Electricity - 220 volts AC, 50Hz; Russia uses a standard two-pin European plug.

Russia shares land borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It is also close to the United States (Alaska state), Sweden, and Japan across relatively small stretches of water (the Bering Strait, the Baltic Sea, and La Pérouse Strait, respectively).

Formerly the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), a republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Russia became the Russian Federation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991. After the Soviet era, the area, population, and industrial production of the Soviet Union (then one of the world's two Cold War superpowers) that were located in Russia passed on to the Russian Federation.

After the break-up of the Soviet Union, the newly-independent Russian Federation emerged as a great power (although it is also considered to be an energy superpower).

Russia is considered the Soviet Union's successor state in diplomatic matters and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is also one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states. Russia is the leading nation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a member of the G8 as well as other international organisations. With a population of around 13,200,000, Moscow is the capital.. Religion is Russian Orthodox is the dominant religion, followed by Islam and other denominations of Christianity. Russian is the official language.

Most of the country has a continental climate, with long, cold winters and brief summers. There is a wide range of summer and winter temperatures and relatively low precipitation. January temperatures are in the range of 6°C (45 °F) on the southeastern shore of the Black Sea. A record low temperature of -71°C (-96 °F) was recorded in 1974 at the northeast Siberian village of Oymyakon, the lowest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the world for an inhabited region. In many areas of Siberia the soil never thaws for more than a foot.

Russia is mainly known for the cheapness of all the kinds of medical facilities that are available over here. There are thousands of people coming to this country from all the nooks and crannies of the whole world and this is because of the opportunity that is available here. Some of the legendary doctors have invented some greatest scopes for all the types of medical treatments for the patients. Restoring the health conditions is the basic reason for all the types of medical tourism in Russia. All the types of treatments that are available are affordable to all and sundry.

There are several arrangements from all the major travel agencies in this country and they will give you all the information about the main kinds of medical tourism that is available in this country. Competent tourist guides are provided to the tourists coming over here and they will take all the responsibility to take you to the major places that are known for the opportunity of having all the Russia's special medical services. There are several treatments available in this country for the eyes of the patients and these treatments are very cheap for all and sundry.

Among these treatments there are arrangements for the several types of laser operations. Apart from these Russia is also known for the microsurgical operations which are applicable to many of the parts of the human body. Thousands of people also come from Germany and this is because of the proximity of this country to Russia. Visiting all the places for the treatments is never boring. There are several chances for the people to enjoy all the major cities in this country. There will be tourist guides who will introduce you to the main places for the treatments.

Opthalmology is also known to be one of the main reasons for the medical tourism in Russia. There are some of the greatest hospitals and nursing homes in this country which will give you all the scopes for availing yourself with the excellent opportunity to have these treatments. The behavior of the doctors and other staffs in the hospitals and nursing homes is so cordial that you will never feel out of your country. This is one of the main reason for the huge popularity of the medical treatments that are available over here.

After the invasion of the Mongolians, the region was ravaged, but the expansionist policies of Ivan the Terrible soon made it a powerful and feared nation. Russia prospered under the Romanov dynasty, especially under Peter the Great. The administration of Lenin and Stalin and the civil war made indelible impacts on the country’s economy. It later became the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, a republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Russia became the Russian Federation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.

Opera and ballet are important parts of Russian culture. Traditional instruments include a three-stringed instrument called Balalaika, a Russian flute called Svirel and many others.

Russia stretches from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean and from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea and the Caucasus. It is bordered by Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and North Korea. The vast landscape is made up of tundra, coniferous forest (taiga), mixed forest, broadleaf forest, grassland (steppe), and semi-desert regions.

The capital city of Moscow is the administrative centre of Russia and home to many attractions.  Its biggest attraction is the Kremlin, which consists of three stone cathedrals. The Mavzolei Lenina (Lenin Mausoleum), located in the Red Square, contains Lenin’s embalmed body.

St Petersburg is another significant city with historical attractions. The beach adjoining the Peter and Paul Fortress is a preferred destination for relaxation. The Hermitage is renowned for its displays of Western European art, pre-historic cultures and antiques. The Nevsky Prospekt is the most famous street in St Petersburg owing to its magnificent architecture.

Sochi is one of Russia’s most popular beaches. The territory of Altaisky Kray, in the south of Western Siberia, is an ideal place for the adventure tourist to experience the Russian outback. Lake Baikal is known as the ‘Pearl of Russia’

Travel

The documents one needs to pass through border control normally are valid passport or equal travel document if accepted under International Treaties, and Russian visa (for aliens only). Alien and/or stateless persons are required to fill in a migration card.

Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is situated 16 miles (26km) northwest of Moscow. Most international flights will arrive at Sheremetyevo II. Sheremetyevo I, about 15 miles (24km) away, serves domestic flights. Public and Express buses, taxis and free airline shuttles are available between the terminals.

Pulkovo International Airport (LED) is situated 10 miles (16km) south of St Petersburg.

Koltsovo International Airport (SVX) is located about 15 miles (25km) from Ekaterinburg city centre.

There are several ways to connect to the city from the airport. Bus and taxis are available outside the terminal (negotiate fares before departure), or private car pick-ups can be booked fairly cheaply.