Russia is a large country usually classified as an east European nation though its boundaries traverse into Asia where it is bordered to its south by Mongolia and the People’s Republic of China. The mainland of Russia to the Far East is also a fairly short distance to Japan.
Russia was a former constituent Republic of the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) which disintegrated following the conclusion of the cold war. The independent Republic of Russia was declared on the 12th of June 1990. Russia remains the largest and the most prominent of the former Soviet States, and is one of the most populous countries in the world. It currently has an estimated population of 143,420, 309 people.

Since its independence, the country has undergone a number of economic problems which have hampered development and reduced the standards of living for many. Unemployment is still a problem for many Russians. A number of reforms have been implemented by the government which has included the privatization of a number of government enterprises that were making losses.

Russia has also since the early 1990s fought against rebel separatists vying for the independence of the Chechen Republic. These rebel groups have been responsible for a number of terrorist attacks in many parts of Russia. The most recent attacks resulted in the deaths of over 350 people including children at a school in Beslan.

Russia had previously been a difficult place to visit for the casual tourist especially during the Soviet years, but now the Country is more welcoming to visitors and tourism is a slowly developing industry here.

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