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            RUSSIA
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The Russian Federation, which
is the largest country in the
world, extends from eastern
Europe through the Ural
Mountains east to the Pacific
Ocean. The Caucasus Mountains
form its boundary in the
south. The environment ranges
from the vast frozen wastes of
Siberia in the north to
subtropical deserts in the
south. Agriculture is
organised into either state or
collective farms, which mainly
produce sugar beet, cotton,
potatoes and vegetables. The
country has extensive reserves
of coal, oil, gas, iron ore
and manganese. Major
industries include iron and
steel, cement, transport
equipment, engineering,
armaments, electronic
equipment and chemicals. The
Russian Federation declared
itself independent in 1991.

The Asian portion is a vast
plain, with mountains on the
south and in the east; tundra
covers the extreme north, with
forest belt below; plains and
marshes are in the west with
desert in the southwest.

Area (Sq. Km.): 17,075,400

Population: 142,117,000

Capital: Moscow

Language:
Russian

Religion:
Russian Orthodox 25%
non-religious 60%

Government Type:
In transition

Currency: Rouble

Embassy:
13 Kensington Palace Gardens
London
W8 4QK
0171-229-3628

The last four years have been
the most confusing time in
Russian history since the
original Bolshevik revolution
in 1917, and travel to and
from Russia has been radically
effected.

The Soviet Union has at long
last ceased to exist and in
its place are a myriad of
smaller states loosely hung
together around the CIS
(Commonwealth of Independent
States) - what the final shape
of the things will be we don't
know as the situation is very
fluid.

However for travel purposes it
is now possible to travel to
the following totally
independent countries in what
was formerly USSR:

Latvia,
Lithuania,
Estonia,
Byelorussia,
Ukraine,
Moldavia,
Russia
plus a number of other
countries in the Caucasus.
East of the Urals a number of
independent Asiatic states are
also emerging.

Travel to Russia is still
possible through the newly
created Air Russia and
Aeroflot from Heathrow to
Moscow. This is a joint
venture between BA and
Aeroflot.

Until the situation, both
economic and political
stabilises travel throughout
the former Soviet Republics is
a little risky.

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Foreign Office Advice:

Visitors must carry
identification at all times.

The Foreign Office recommend
that all non-essential visits
to Chechen Republic, North
Ossetia and Ingushetia be
postponed.

Customs:
On arrival, visitors should
declare all foreign currency
and valuables.

Internal Air Travel:
Cancellations, delays and
passenger overloading are
frequent particularly in the
Transcaucasus. It is unknown
if maintenance procedures are
always properly observed.
Where possible visitors should
fly directly from abroad.

Crime:
Incidents of mugging, theft
and pickpocketing in all
cities, especially St.
Petersburg and Moscow are
increasing. Visitors should be
vigilant and are advised to
dress down, keeping jewellery,
watches and cameras out of
sight.
It is safer to use officially
marked taxis, ensuring that it
is not already occupied. When
travelling by train valuables
should be stored safely and
the compartment should not be
left unattended.

Health:
Travellers to Russia should be
aware of widespread outbreaks
of diphtheria. There has been
an outbreak of cholera in
Daghestan. Visitors are
advised to seek medical advice
before departure.

For more information ring:

   Foreign Office Travel

       0171-270-4129