Economy:

Sakha is rich in natural resources and a leading world producer of diamonds. Mining is a prominent industry in the region and minerals found here include; gold, crude oil, natural gas and coal.
Major cities:

Yakutsk:

is the capital of Sakha with a population of just under 300,000 people. The city is home to 14 museums that some of which showcase magnificent jewelry collections featuring some of the best diamonds ever found in Sakha. The City is notorious for experiencing extremely cold weather conditions during winter.

Language:

Russian is the national language spoken here, though a number of indigenous groups have their own dialects which vary in different regions.

Culture:

The People of Russia have managed to maintain their unique culture over the years against the tide of “western world civilization” and there is still a strong sense of community mindedness. Local culture is celebrated and still widely practiced especially in the villages and farms. The Country has had a long history of theater and performing arts. There is a theater in almost every town where plays and other acts are a source of entertainment for locals.

Religion:

The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest religious denomination in the Country. Islam is also widely practiced.

Sport:

Russia is a major sporting nation. The Country has produced a number of world class teams and athletes who dominate various disciplines including; gymnastics, swimming, tennis, athletics, football and ice hockey. The Country has excellent sporting facilities and specialist training schools for potential future stars. Famous sportspeople from Russia are; Alexander Popov: one of the best freestyle swimmers in the world, Marat Safin winner of the Australian Open in 2005 and the latest teenage tennis sensation Maria Sharapova.

The Russian Embassy and Consulates in the United States:

Russia has its main embassy situated at 2650 Wisconsin Ave in Washington DC. There are also consulates at the Cities of New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Houston.

For more information on the Russian embassy and consular services in the United States, you can visit the embassy’s website at: www.russianembassy.org or alternatively call; (202) 298 5700.

The Russian Embassy and consulates in Canada:

The Russian embassy in Canada is located at 285 Charlotte Street in Ottawa City. There is also a consular office in Montreal and Toronto. For more information on the Russian embassy and consular services in Canada, you can call; (613) 235-4341 or visit the embassy’s official website at: www.rusembcanada.mid.ru

Russia has its main embassy situated at 5 Kensington Palace Gardens in London. For more information on the Russian embassy, visa applications and consular services in the United Kingdom, you can visit the embassy’s website at: rusemblon.org or alternatively call; 0207 229 80 27. The Consulate is open for Visa applications between 9 am and 12pm Monday to Friday.

The Russian Embassy in France:

The Russian embassy in France is located at 40-50 Boulevard Lannes in Paris which is the country’s capital. For more information on the Russian embassy and consular services in France including opening hours and visa processing, you can call; (331) 4503 0407.

The Russian Embassy in Germany:

The Russian Federation has two embassies in Germany. One is situated in the City of Bonn at Waldstrasse 42. You can contact this embassy at the following phone numbers: (49228) 31 2085/ 31 2086/ 31 2087.
The other embassy is situated in the City of Berlin at Unter Den Linden 63-65. This embassy can be contacted at: (4930) 220 2821/ 226 6320. The embassy’s web address is: russische-botschaft.de

Russia has its main embassy situated in the Country’s Capital City Canberra in the Australian Commonwealth Territory (ACT) at 78 Canberra Avenue in Griffith.

There is also a consular office in the City of Sydney at 7-9 Fullerton Street, Woollahra in the State of New South Wales. For more information on the Russian embassy and consular services in Australia, you can visit the embassy’s website at: www.australia.mid.ru

The Russian Embassy in New Zealand:

The Russian embassy in New Zealand is located at 57 Messines Road, Karori in Wellington City. For more information on the Russian embassy and consular services in New Zealand, you can call; (04) 476 6113 or visit the embassy’s official website at: www.rus.co.nz

Travel to Russia and the former Soviet Union was at times nearly impossible during the 70s and 80s and the Country is now more welcoming. Obtaining a visa is a straightforward process and there are a large number of Russian embassies and consulates in Europe, Africa, Australasia, the Americas and Arabia.

For more information on your nearest consulate you can visit: www.russianembassy.net which displays contact details of Russian embassies and consulates around the world. You can contact your nearest embassy for information and assistance on obtaining a visa and current visa conditions.

Basic requirements for making tourist visa applications are; a non-refundable application fee of $70.00 (this fee may vary), a completed application form, three passport size photos and a photocopy of your passport.

Travel agents who specialize on Russian tours can be able to provide you with assistance and liaise on your behalf to Consular officials and handle your visa application. You can also visit your local foreign ministry for information and travel advice including any health warnings for travelers to Russia.

Airports in Moscow:

In relation to the amount of air traffic experienced in the city of Moscow, there are three international airports within the city. These are; the Domodedovo International airport and Sheremetyevo International Airport. These two are the busiest airports in the country. Domodedovo caters for both domestic and international flights while Sheremetyevo caters solely for most International flights to and from Moscow. The other major airport within the city is the Vnukovo International Airport which is currently undergoing major reconstruction.
Other major airports:

Other major airports in the Country are the; Pulkovo International Airport in St Petersburg, Vladivostok International Airport, Koltsovo International Airport in Yekaterinburg and the Yuzhno Sakhalinsk Airport in Sakhalin.

Rail transport:

The Trans-Siberian railway line is the backbone of the Russian rail transport system linking major towns and cities along its path. This line travels across the Country from its East European end to the Far East of the Country. It is the longest railway line in the world.

You can purchase long distance train tickets at the Stations though the queues here are usually long and it is more convenient to buy from a local agent at a slightly higher cost.

Bus transport:

Bus services in the major cities are frequent and reliable. Bus transport is good for inner city travel, though they can get really packed during peak hours. The cost of using a bus is relatively cheap and travel to most destinations within a city will cost on average about $0.50.

Trams:

St Petersburg and Moscow still have active tram transport services.

Pskov economy:

Pskov City is the main commerce and industrial centre for the Pskov region. The region has a healthy industrial sector which features; electronics, food processing, metal works, construction materials and communications. Agriculture in the region produces; potatoes, flax and livestock.

Transport in Pskov:

The City is served by the Pskov International Airport which also caters for domestic flights. Travel within the city is fairly easy with frequent buses, taxi and a rail network that links the City to Moscow and St Petersburg.

Tourism and tourist attractions:

Pskov boasts a number of historic buildings and monuments in near-pristine condition. These include; the Snetogorsky Monastery, Mirozhsky Abbey and the Local Kremlin Building. You can also visit the Sebezhsky National Park which is home to a wide range of wildlife including; Wild boar, fox, beaver, otter and moose.

Problems faced by the Government:

Chechnya:

Attempts at self independence by armed movements from the republic of Chechnya which began in the early 1990s has resulted in almost a decade of conflict between the militants and the Russian army trying to suppress the rebellion. The issue has been a major embarrassment for the country on the international scene and has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides. The separatists are now resolving to terrorism and the Beslan School attack which claimed over 350 lives in 2004 is said to have been caused by militants from Chechnya’s independence movement.