GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION
Russia is a transcontinental country extending over much of northern Eurasia. It is a semi-presidential republic comprising 83 federal subjects. Russia shares land borders with the following countries (counterclockwise from northwest to southeast): Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Poland (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and North Korea. It also borders the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Caspian Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Black Sea.
Russia is close to the United States (Alaska) and Japan. At 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq miles), Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than an eighth of the Earth’s land area; with 142 million people, it is the ninth largest by population. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 11 time zones and incorporating a great range of environments and landforms. Russia has the world's greatest reserves of mineral and energy resources, and is considered an energy superpower. It has the world's largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world's unfrozen fresh water.
WORKING HOURS Offices - 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Service bureaus - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
CLIMATE Tourists should be advised of the following average temperatures in places of their itineraries as for today.
TIME There are 11 time zones in Russia. The difference between Greenwich Mean Time and the time in some Russian cities is: Moscow and St.Petersburg: +3
Khabarovsk and the Far East: +10
Air and railway tickets indicate the time of departure and arrival by local time.
Summer daylight saving time is effective on most of the territory of Russia.
SHOPPING The best stores for shopping in Moscow are the GUM State Department Store on Red Square, Passazh Shopping Center on Petrovka Street and Manezh Shopping Center on The Manezh square. Such traditional Russian souvenirs as matryoshka dolls ,Palekh boxesandshawls can be bought in numerous shops on Arbat street and Izmailovo Park. All payments are made in roubles.
Working hours for food stores are from 8-9 a.m. to 8-9 p.m., for department stores – from 10-11 a.m. to 7-8 p.m.
Most department stores are closed on Sundays.
CURRENCY REGULATIONS The Russian monetary unit is the rouble. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency allowed to be brought into Russia. However, all money brought into the country (including traveller’s checks) must be declared upon entering the country. In Russia, tourists can exchange any amount of hard currency for roubles at any of the following locations: authorized Russian banks, Intourist exchange offices or foreign currency offices located in major hotels, international airports and sea ports. Exchange rates between the rouble and hard currencies are set by authorized Russian banks within Russia and by authorized banks within each of the independent republics. All major credit cards are accepted in Russia including American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa International and others.
RUSSIAN CUISINE Russian food is famous for its meat dishes, ukha (fish soup), shchi (cabbage soup), pokhlyobka (thick broth), okroshka (cold vegetable soup), bliny (pancakes) with sour cream or caviar, cabbage pie, and beef a la Stroganoff. Siberia is known for its pelmeni (dumplings). Tea with lemon is the traditional Russian beverage.
ENTERTAINMENT Theater, concerts, folklore performances, circus can be visited by tourists in big cities. Also numerous restaurants, bars, casinos and night clubs are also available. All information of evening entertainments in Moscow can be obtained at Intourist Travel Service Bureau or Intourist desks at the hotels.
MAIL AND TELEPHONE SERVICES The tariff for postal services and international and local telephone service on the territory of Russia is in roubles. Major hotels have post office facilities. Automatic dial telephone service is available in most areas of Russia. Tourists can dial directly from their room phone or from special pay phones in the lobby.
ELECTRIC CURRENT The electric current in Russia is 220V. European type plugs are required.
INSURANCE It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before departing for Russia and the CIS or to buy insurance from a CIS insurance company.
HANDICAPPED Mentally or physically handicapped persons are welcome to travel in Russia if accompanied by a person to cater for them.
HEALTH AND CARE MEDICAL SERVICES Currently, there are no medical restrictions for entry into Russia. More detailed information is available in local health offices. First aid is provided free of charge if the tourist does not require a doctor or hospitalization. In an emergency, the unused part of the cost of the tour will be used to pay any hospital bills. If the cost of the stay in hospital exceeds the unused part of the tour, then the tourist is responsible for the remainder of the bill.
TRANSPORT The Metro is the most comfortable and fastest public transportation within a city. The fare for metro journey irrespective of distance in any city is flat. In Moscow passengers buy special travel cards for one, two or more trips in the vestibule of the metro station, put in a turnsstile and pass through when the light turns green. Moscow Metro map can be found here. Tickets are also required for bus, trolleybus and train journeys. One ticket must be validated for each journey. It is best to purchase tickets prior to boarding, but they can also be purchased directly from the driver once you are on board. If you need to get a taxi you can either order it at your hotel or hail in the street. Taxis are normally yellow with chekers.
