RUSSIA: Facts You Must Know About Moscow

Here are some quick facts on the Russian capital, Moscow.

Founded in 1147, Moscow is the capital of Russia. It is the centre of governance, home of the Presidential residence in the Kremlin, as well as the Russian parliament and the Government of Russia. Moscow also has its own coat of arms, flag and anthem.

Moscow is situated in the centre of the European part of Russia, and is divided by the Moskva River. With an area of 1,081 square meters, the city is inhabited by 10,5 million people. The large majority are ethnically Russian but there are also a lot of minorities from neighbouring countries. Moscow, home to nearly 9 percent of the country’s population, is an international city with world-standard conditions for living and working, as well as studying. More than 4 million tourists from all over the world visit Moscow every year.

Moscow is divided into 123 districts (rayons), and 10 administrative boroughs (okrugs).

Moscow is also the business centre of Russia, with around 6,800 representative offices of foreign companies based in the city. Moscow is the home of Russia’s leading economic and financial institutions, more than half of the commercial and specialised banks, headquarters of the largest Russian companies, and foreign corporations. Over 200,000 small businesses are also registered in Moscow.

The city is the main supplier of goods and services in Russia, as well as the main source of scientific and innovative solutions and advanced technologies. Investment in Moscow is high; around 60 percent of total investment in Russia is accounted for by the capital. Also, it is a major hub for foreign trade, accounting for one quarter of the country’s foreign trade.

The transport system in Russia is focused around Moscow, the capital being the main hub for freight and passenger routes. Moscow also has around 70 percent of the country’s overall warehouse space. The Moskva River connects Moscow to five seas: the Sea of Azov, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the White Sea.

There are also special economic zones, and technological and industrial parks in Moscow, and more are being created.

Moscow is known for its universities and educational institutes. About one third of the country’s academic workers are working in Moscow. More than one million undergraduate and around 50,000 graduate students are doing their studies in Moscow.

Some 38 percent of the Russia’s historical sites are in Moscow or around it, 200 of which are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.