All about Russia

geographical area

Huge - 17,075,200 sq km to be precise which is 1.8 times the size of the USA! European Russia, Russia west of the Ural Mountains, comprises only a quarter of Russia’s total land mass and is home to 80% of Russia’s population. Siberia occupies 75% of Russia’s land mass and wraps itself around a third of the northern hemisphere. The topography is varied: broad plains with low hills west of the Urals; vast coniferous forest, tundra and permafrost in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions.

 

capital

Moscow.

 

population

Approximately 143 million people.

 

people

81% Russian, 4% Tatar, 3% Ukrainian and numerous ethnic minorities.

 

language

Russian

 

system of government

Federation. Governed by an executive president and a two-house legislature or parliament

 

currency

GBP 1=Roubles 46       USD 1=Roubles 23      Euro 1=Roubles 37   (subject to fluctuation)

Notes come in the following denominations: 10, 50,100, 500. Coins are also in circulation and come in the following values: 1, 2 and 5 Roubles and 1, 10 and 50 Kopeks. The Rouble is exchangeable only in Russia. US Dollar and Euro are the best currency for exchange. Bureau de Change and ATM machines exist in Moscow and St Petersburg (to a lesser extent in the provinces). Changing travellers cheques is not easy, so avoid bringing them if possible. Credit cards are becoming more accepted in Moscow and St Petersburg but cash is still the best bet.      

  

religion

80% Russian Orthodox. The remaining 20% comprise followers of Islam, Judaism and other minority beliefs. In parts of the Russian Far East, Shamanism and Buddhism is practised.

 

 

TIME

Russia (European Russia west of the Urals) is 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime. From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, summertime is in force in the UK and time reverts to 4 hours ahead of GMT.

trading hours

9.30am to 7pm or later. Shops are generally closed on Sunday. Banks are generally open weekdays from 9am to 5pm in Moscow and St Petersburg, with a break for lunch. Restaurants, cafes and bars trade ‘til late. In Moscow and St Petersburg, many grocers trade 24/7.

 

Voltage

Standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European plug with two round pins. Pack a travel adaptor

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GOBUS is a young and dynamic travel company specialising in tours for spirited travellers who want to discover the world, experience different cultures, make new friends and have a lot of fun along the way!  Here's a list of all the trips we run:

 

 

 EGYPT TOURS: Egypt Group Tours, Egypt XMAS Tours, Egypt New Year Tours

RUSSIA TOURS: Russia Group Tours, Russia XMAS Tours, Russia New Year Tours

MOROCCO TOURS: Morocco Group Tours, Morocco TrekkingMorocco XMAS & NY Tours

TURKEY TOURS: Turkey Group Tours, Turkey Sailing, Turkey Hop-on Hop-off Travel

 

CROATIA SAILING HOLIDAYS:  Croatia & the Dalmation Coast

OVERLAND ADVENTURES: Trans-Siberian Express

 

FESTIVALS:  Oktoberfest, Pamplona, Las Fallas, La Tomatina

 

EVENTS: ANZAC Day Gallipoli, ANZAC day and Egypt, Dawn Service and Dahab

 

XMAS & NEW YEAR TOURS: Hogmanay, Berlin, Praque, Egypt Morocco, Russia

 SOUTH AMERICA: Peru, Brazil, Bolivia

 

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