Although it may not seem like it, Russia is one of the most visited countries in Europe with over twenty million tourists visiting Russia every year. Many of these tourists come from nearby countries, especially, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Finland, China, South Korea, and Japan. These city guide videos will help you better explore Russia. Scroll down to learn more about Russia's history and culture.
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The first major Russian state called Kievan Rus was founded on territory now split between Ukraine and Russia in the 9th century by the Viking Oleg of Novgorod. 20 years later, Kiev (now capital of Ukraine and written Kyiv) became the capital of Russia.
Prince Vladimir the Great comes to power shortly thereafter and proceeds to convert Russia from paganism to Orthodox Christianity, establishes Russia's first written code of law and heavily invests in the growth of Kiev. Kiev becomes the largest and most important city in Eastern Europe.
The Kievan Rus falls when the Mongols invade, establishing a centuries-long Muslim rule in Russia. Ivan the Great leads a Russian resistance force against the Mongols in the 15th century. After a decisive victory, the new Russian capital is established at Moscow.
Like a sapling, the Russian Empire grows from its base in Moscow to encompass Finland, the Baltic states, the Balkans after a conflict with Turkey, the Caucasus after a conflict with Persia (Iran), as well as Central Asia, Siberia, Alaska, and the Russian Far East. Russia forges an alliance with Great Britain that helps it defeat France during the Napoleonic Wars. Russia sells Alaska to the United States in the 19th century, and develops a closer relationship with China.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is built through Chinese territory and connects the west of the country to the east, much like the railways built in the United States. The Russian tsar is assassinated in the 19th century and the country's first communist revolution takes place which leads to the establishment of a duma. The tsar's successor is thrown from power, and is forced to abide by Bolshevik ideals.
Although having lost much power, the tsar leads an astonishing victory against Austria-Hungary in World War One but is assassinated with his whole family in Yekaterinburg during a Civil War that follows the conclusion of World War One. The Soviet Union is established.
Vladimir Lenin becomes the first General Secretary of the Soviet Union and grows the country to encompass more territories that were not previously a part of Russia. Freedom of speech, press, and religion, are all abolished.
After Lenin's death, Stalin becomes the new General Secretary and leads an astonishing victory against Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Although celebrated for this victory, he sent millions of disabled Soviets, and those he felt were not fit to live in the Soviet Union to the Gulags where they were forced to work difficult jobs, mainly in construction. Many roads (some of which are now called roads of bone) are built in the Far East better connecting the country. Stalin dies in the 1950s when the country is plunged into war in Korea.
No peace treaty is signed after the Korean War, leading to both sides claiming the entirety of the other. North Korea emerges stronger than South Korea at first, but this changes at the end of the 20th century when important new industries emerge in South Korea. The first Sputnik is launched and Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space. Russia unites Vietnam with the help of China, ending the decades-long war with the Americans in Southeast Asia.
After the end of the war, the country falls into famine. Gorbachev is sworn in as General Secretary in the 1980s. He ends the Cold War and disestablishes the Soviet Union, pulling the country into an economic crisis that becomes one of the worst in European history. Millions of ethnic Russians end up outside Russian territory and without Russian citizenship. Russian is banned in some former Soviet republics.
After the mismanagement of President Yeltsin when a few Russians were given all the country's wealth (known as the oligarchs), Vladimir Putin becomes Russia's President. He reshapes Russia into a more powerful country, focusing on ambitious infrastructure projects and economic growth, but Russia gets sucked into conflicts in both Ukraine and Syria that lead to sanctions from NATO and the EU.
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"In Slavic mythology, Maslenitsa is a sun-festival, personified by the ancient god Volos, and a celebration of the imminent end of the winter. ... The most characteristic food of Maslenitsa is bliny - thin pancakes or crepes, made from the rich foods still allowed by the Orthodox tradition that week: butter, eggs and milk" - Wikipedia
"New Year's Day is a family holiday for many Russians. Dinner usually starts late on December 31. Traditional meals include Russian salad, herring and sparkling wine. ... Celebrations for children include a decorated fir tree and Grandfather Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, who gives presents" - Time and Date
"The White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia is an annual international arts festival during the season of the midnight sun and consists of a series of classical ballet, opera, and music events" - Planet EU
