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Russia is one of
the most fascinating countries in the world. Though
yet to become a developed tourist country, it has tremendous
natural beauty, diversity and historical and cultural
traditions. The national language is Russian, which
is a Slavic language related to Polish, Czech, Slovak,
Bulgarian and some others. The best way to travel and
avoid traffic jams is  to
use the subway called the Metro. The system is clean
and inexpensive and many of the stations are architectural
masterpieces. Besides the two major cities of Moscow
and St. Petersburg, there are many other cities and
villages with splendid architectural and cultural traditions
here. Cities of the "Golden Ring" close to the capital
are Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Sergiev Posad,
Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl and Pereslavl Zalessky.
MOSCOW
The capital of the Russian Federation - Moscow - is
a unique combination of attractions that gives you the
opportunity to get acquainted with the traditions of
the Russian people. The Kremlin is the historical center
of Moscow with its cathedrals, monasteries, fortresses
and preserved boyar's palaces. It demonstrates the unique
culture and art of the late Middle Ages in Russia.
The blend of the old and the new in Moscow is most apparent
in the Red Square and in the Kremlin. The Square, with
its landmark St. Basil's Cathedral, is the center of
the world's attention because of the impressive May
Day parades and anniversary of the Revolution on November
7. Magnificent cathedrals highlight the Kremlin. The
famous Armoury Chamber, a museum of Russia's regal past,
the Diamond Fund Collection and the Russian Crown Jewels
are all located in the Kremlin. The Kremlin is the seat
of the Russian government. Its famous Palace of Congresses
is open to the public for artistic performances.
Among the most famous museums in Moscow are the Tretyakov
Gallery housing collections of Russian art, and the
Pushkin Fine Art Museum, with its wondrous collections
of Western art. The television tower at Ostankino offers
a splendid view of the city. The Moscow State University
overlooks the Moskva River, and near it are the Sparrow
Hills that are a favorite spot for photographs. For
countryside excursions a full day trip to Sergiev Posad,
formerly Zagorsk, where the Russian Orthodox Church
keeps alive centuries-old traditions at an Orthodox
seminary and at the services of its cathedrals is enjoyable.
Plan a trip to Suzdal, a city preserved as a museum
of Russian architecture for a glimpse of Old Russia.
The city of St. Petersburg was created by the Russian
Tsar Peter the Great in the 18th century as a "window
to Europe". It soon became the capital and architectural
showpiece of the Russian Empire. St. Petersburg was
called Leningrad during Soviet times. Criss-crossed
by many canals, it is a true "Venice of the North."
St. Petersburg has a wealth of attractions: Palace Square,
the Winter Palace, the Peter and Paul Cathedral - the
resting place of the Romanov emperors - the Peter and
Paul Fortress where the writer Dostoevsky and other
leading intellectuals were once imprisoned, and the
Russian Mint. The Hermitage rivals the Louvre in Paris
for its rich collection of art and should not be missed
by any tourist. You could try visiting other residences
of the tsarist family - Peter the Great's country palace
with its magnificent park and fountains, or the houses
at Pushkino and Pavlovsk.
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RUSSIA
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