Moscow, the capital of Russia, has a population of some nine million people. It is a city rich in cultural, architectural, historical and revolutionary monuments and, at the same time, a rapidly developing modern urban community having brand-new blocks of flats, long, straight and broad avenues, parks, gardens, stadiums, schools, cinemas, department stores, recreation centres, bridges and highways. Though forward-looking, it cherishes the memory of its past, and its old sections lend it a special charm.
Moscow is a subject of the Russian Federation, a federal city, and the Russian capital. It has its own territory and population, is home to bodies of state and local governments, and has its own coat of arms, flag, and anthem.
Moscow is the political and business centre of Russia, as well as the nation’s seat of power and home to its leading economic and financial institutions, over half of the country’s commercial and specialized banks, representative offices of major Russian companies, and leading world corporations. Furthermore, over 200,000 small businesses are registered in Moscow, with the Russian capital’s employment index in this sphere — currently
Russia’s existing transport system is Moscow-centered, generating the main freight and passenger traffic routes in the capital and making for the creation of the national trade and distribution centre on the basis of the Moscow transport hub, containing just shy of 70% of the country’s overall warehouse space. The Moskva River water transport artery connects Moscow to five seas: the Sea of Azov, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the White Sea.
Moscow is the economic centre of Russia, the main supplier of goods and services, human resources, scientific and innovative solutions, and advanced technologies. Such sectors as fuel and energy, industry, transport, trade, communications, tourism, and education are considered promising for investment.
Moscow accounts for over 60% of total investment in Russia, and one third of the city budget is formed at the expense of foreign economic activity, while one quarter of the country’s foreign trade is also accounted for by the Russian capital.
There are also special economic zones and technology parks actively being created on the city’s territory.
One third of the country’s academic workers are concentrated in Moscow. More than one million undergraduate students and some 50,000 graduate students are doing their studies in the Russian capital.
38% of the country’s historic sites are concentrated in Moscow, 200 of which are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Over 70% of all foreign tourists arriving in Russia visit Moscow.
Moscow, which is home to nearly 9% of the country’s overall population (resident population including newcomers), is a multinational city facilitating world-standard conditions for living and working, as well as studying, and taking part in sports and recreation.
Rather than being an exhaustive source of information, this brochure is meant to help visitors get their bearings in Moscow; it spotlights the city's historical and cultural monuments, its theatres, parks, sporting facilities and other objects of interest. After returning home, it also can serve as a souvenir and a reminder of your Moscow experience. Before describing the particular sights of Moscow, it would be useful for the reader to learn some general information about Russia.
Russia
In terms of size, it is really more appropriate to compare Russia to a continent rather than to another country. It occupies an area of 22,402,200 square kilometres, or one-sixth of the world's land surface. It spans 5,000 kilometres from north to south, and nearly twice that distance from east to west. It has eleven time zones. The most southerly Russian republic, Turkmenia, lies only several degrees north of the tropics, while the city of Murmansk, one of the most northerly, is above the Arctic Circle.
Once you have decided to see Russia, it can be visited at any time of year. Indeed, the term "dead season" loses its meaning in a country which has every climatic zone except for the tropica.
More and more foreigners are becoming interested in visiting Russia. Many of them believe a better knowledge of this country and its achievements in building a communist society will give them a broader context in which to look at the world at large. Significantly, those wishing to come to this country no longer apply for a "tour to Russia". Apparently, they ere aware that Russia, though the largest, is just one of the fifteen constituent republics making up Russia. Many future tourists have also learned that Russia is the home of many nationalities, each having their own culture, art and customs. In addition to the fifteen constituent republics, there are smaller administrative units within them, such as autonomous republics (20 in all), autonomous regions (8) and autonomous areas (10). Russia's Constitution names the Federal Assembly of Russia as the highest body of state authority. It consists of two chambers. All Russian citizens enjoy equal rights, without any limitation or discrimination. Their basic rights are laid down in the Constitution and guaranteed both by law and in practice. The Constitution, for instance, proclaims and guarantees the right of Russian citizens to a job and to freely choose their trade or profession. There is no unemployment in Russia. Among other fundamental rights of Russian citizens are their rights to rest and education. Not only are all forms of education free, but students accepted into higher or specialized secondary educational establishments are given stipends to help defray their living costs. The Russian state also guarantees its citizens maintenance in old age and free health care, and proclaims and guarantees freedom ol speech, as well as freedom of the press, assembly and demonstrations, the inviolability of the person and his home, and the privacy ol correspondence. The rights and duties of Russian citizens have a firm political, economic and social basis. The changes that took and are taking place in Russia are attracting special attentior abroad. The words "perestroika" and "glas nost", and "acceleration" and "intensification' have become familiar throughout the world and many people would like to see first-hand wha they stand for. Essentially, they mean a reliance on the entire nation, the all-out development and extensior of democracy, and a greater respect for person's worth and his or her dignity Specifically, all this implies the use of economic incentives in management, as well as new forms of organizing labour and production: the effective cooperation of science and its application in pursuit of the highest possible end results; constant efforts to ensure good working and living conditions, recreational facilities and medical care; and the consistent implementation of the principles of social justice. This process is naturally bringing about many changes in the life of the nation and of each individual. To have a better understanding of this, one should walk about. Moscow streets, read its newspapers and watch its TV programmes, and, most importantly, meet Muscovites and Moscow numerous guests from other republics.
Moscow, the heart of Russia
In addition to being the capital of Russia, Moscow is also the country's largest city, its major political and industrial centre and its leader in science, culture and art.
Moscow has relations of friendship with many other capitals and large cities abroad, for instance, Belgrade. Madrid. Prague, Tokyo, Sofia, Helsinki, London, Mexico, Rome and Vancouver. The city's image bears the imprint of the talent and inspiration of many generations of Russian master artists and craftsmen. Though it is always acquiring new features, it does not renounce the past. It preserves its best elements as it forges ahead. Moscow is a multinational city. Living here are Russians, Ukrainians, Byelorussians, Tartars, Estonians, Jews and people of other nationalities. But there are certain traits they have in common-kindness, friendliness and hospitality. To really get to know Moscow, one should see both its old and new streets and squares, enjoy the view of the Old Kremlin, go to the city's theatres, visit its art galleries and museums displaying masterpieces of Russian and world art. see its Metro stations, take a boat trip on the Moskva River, stroll through its parks and just relax in the shade of verdant boulevards. Everywhere you will sense the spirit of the city.
Pages of history
Moscow is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky (Yuri tht; Long Armed) 51 Suzdal who had a fortress built on the high undulating bank of the wide and deep Moskva River.
The city's favourable geographical position contributed a great deal to its growth and progress. Craftsmen and traders flocked to Moscow from all parts of the Russian land. By the beginning of the 15th century the city had grown markedly in size and strength to become Russia's political and cultural centre. Moscow was made capital of the first united Russian state during the reign of Prince Ivan 111 (15th century).
Moscow's influence and might increased still more over the next two centuries. Although Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 18th century, Moscow continued to play a major role in Russian history.
During the war against Napoleon in the beginning of the 19th century, Moscow was badly damaged by a great fire. Rebuilding it required a tremendous effort, and the best architects were engaged in its reconstruction.
About the same time, large industrial enterprises began appearing in Moscow. Paralleling the city's industrial growth was the development of the revolutionary movement in Russia. Moscow's working class played a great role in the memorable events of 1917.
The silhouette ol the Kremlin's Spassky Tower is familiar to many people throughout the world. For more than 70 years its clock has been showing the time of the new era begun by the victorious Great October Socialist Revolution.
Moscow was once again made the capital in 1918, this time of the Soviet republic.
The Kremlin in Moscow is the focus of the country's social and political life.
Many streets radiate from the Kremlin in various directions.
Today Moscow boasts broad thoroughfares and streets, abundant greenery, pure air –purer, in fact, than in any other large city in the world—-new residential districts and a well-developed public transport system.
In keeping with a proposal ol the city's residents, the Moscow Deputies instituted a new holiday, Moscow Day, celebrating the founding of Moscow.
Weather in Moscow
Moscow is beautiful no matter what the season, no matter what the weather. Its snow-covered narks and gardens, streets and build ings in winter are a charming sight. The coldest month is January. If you ate planning to visit Moscow in winter be sure to lake warm clothes with you, though don't worry, for the hotels and public buildings are quite well heated, as is public transport.
Moscow is also wonderful to visit in the summer. It is only then that one realizes just how very green the city is. The warmest month: are June. July and August. July and August have the distinction of being both the rainiest and the sunniest months.
Moscow time
+8 hours Eastern Standard Time
+3 hours London Time
+2 hours European Mean Time
National holidays
January 1—New Year's Day
March 8—International Women's Day
May 9—Victory Day
Geography: Moscow is situated in the centre of the European part of Russia, in the interfluve of the Oka and Volga rivers and the centre of the Moscow region (coordinates: 55°45’N 37°37’E). The city’s main waterways artery is the Moskva River, whose middle reaches run through the city zone and debouch into the Oka River, the largest right tributary of the Volga.
Area: 1,081 square meters.
Population: 9 million people (resident population, according to the Federal State Statistics Service as of January 1, 2010).
Ethnic representation (descending, by population): Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Armenians, Azeris, Jews, Belarusians, Georgians, Moldovans, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Mordovians, etc. (according to the 2002 nationwide census).
Founded in 1147 (first mentioned in the Hypatian Codex).
Moscow Coat of Arms Moscow Flag
The Moscow anthem is a musical and lyrical composition created on the basis of the song Moya Moskva, music by Isaak Dunayevsky, lyrics by Mark Lisyansky and Sergei Agranian.
Territorial divisions. Moscow is divided into 123 districts (rayons) and 10 administrative boroughs (okrugs).
Moscow has...
over 5,500 restaurants,
over 600 museums, historic estates, and art galleries,
over 350 sports arenas, stadiums, swimming pools, and skating rinks,
200 hotels,
over 100 theatres and concert halls, and
over 100 gardens and parks
Over 6,800 representative offices of foreign companies are registered in Moscow. Around 300 international exhibitions and fairs are held in the capital each year.
More than 4m tourists visited Moscow every year, with most of the visitors arriving from Germany, the United States, and China, as well as Great Britain, France, Turkey, Italy, Israel, Japan, and Spain.
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