Today Russia accounts for 24% of world’s intellectual resources, represented by 2.3% of the planet’s population. The territory of Russia covers about 11.5% of land area, and encloses about 43% of world’s natural resources.

Comparative to the US, Russia’s land area is approximately 1.8 times bigger. There are 11 time zones in Russia - so when it’s evening in Moscow, it’s morning of the next day in Vladivostok (a Russian port on the Pacific Ocean).

Geographic facts

• Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture.
• The Russian Federation covers one-eighth of the earth's surface and spans eleven time zones.
• During the last days of June, a phenomenon known as the "White Nights" can be seen in parts of Russia. It is a time when night remains bright as the sun does not sink below the horizon.
• The western Siberian Plain is the largest plain on earth.
• The Kamchatka Volcanoes are in a region of high volcanic activity.
• The Neva River in St Petersburg is the shortest (74 km) and deepest European river.
• Lake Baikal in Siberia is one of the oldest and deepest of the world's lakes.
• Russia has wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals.
• The Time in the European part of Russia is 3 hours more than Greenwich meridian time or two hours more than central European part. (+3 GMT or +2 CET).
• During summer daylight saving time, Russia's time is + 4 hours to Greenwich. So if in London it’s 10.00 in Moscow it’s 13.00 (in Russia the 24-hour system is used). Every year the clock goes 1 hour forward in the last Sunday of March and back 1 hour in the last Sunday of October.