Russia

Russia is one of only a few countries that spans across two different continents. It straddles both Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, though more than three-fourths of the population is found in the much smaller European portion of the country. In this region are found Moscow and St. Petersburg, the economic and cultural centers of the nation, which are surrounded by fertile land. Russia has an array of disputed territories, including those in Ukraine, where an ongoing offensive war is occurring, a chain of islands north of Japan, and certain territories along the border with Georgia.

Russia, formerly the Soviet Union before its dissolution in 1991, spans across 11 time zones and is host to a plethora of environments and land forms, which are connected via the Trans-Siberian railroad. Certain mainland regions of the country are still inaccessible by train or car. It is home to lengthy rivers such as the Volga, and frigid tundras, which reach temperatures lower than any non-polar region on Earth. Russia’s physical geography includes the flat East European Plain, the forested Siberian Plateau, the north-south Urals, which divide Europe and Asia, the volcanic Kamchatka ranges, and the rugged Caucasus Mountains near the Black Sea. Russia's climate is so unforgiving that its winter storms are famously known for single-handedly fending off foreign invaders. Despite this, an abundance of natural resources, such as natural gas and rare minerals, can be found in Russia's countryside. This natural blessing has not historically translated into the welfare of the common man, with a wealthy upper class often ruling over a poor and powerless proletariat in Russian society.

Russia's architectural staples consist of Lenin's mausoleum, the Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Winter Palace. Only 0.1% of Russia's arable land is used for permanent agriculture. The animal life in Russia is very diverse, with notable species such as the Siberian tiger, Asiatic black bear, Eurasian lynx, polar bear, and walrus found in the far reaches of the country. Russian cuisine features hearty dishes like borscht, pelmeni, and blini, often rich in potatoes, meats, and sour cream. Russia is approximately 80% Russian, with the minority groups of Tatars and Ukrainians making up another 5% of the population.

Engrained into Russia's modern history is the political system of communism, inspired by Karl Marx. The October Revolution brought about communism in the country, eventually leading to the Cold War with the United States in the 20th century. Russia has made significant scientific contributions, primarily in space exploration, biology, and chemistry. Holidays are large ordeals in Russia, and in the arts, folk music and traditional dance are very popular. In athletics, Russia excels in wrestling, ice hockey, figure skating, and chess.