Russia 🇷🇺

Russia lies in Eastern Europe, part of Europe. In formal use it is Russian Federation. Moscow is the capital.

Around 143.5 million people live there, placing it 9th of 250 by population — between Bangladesh above it and Ethiopia below. Within Eastern Europe alone it is the 1st largest of 4 and the 1st most populous.

By land area it covers 17,098,242 km², which ranks it 1st of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — the largest of them all, ahead of Antarctica. For scale, it is roughly twice the size of Canada.

Where Russia is and what surrounds it

The coordinates the dataset gives are 60.0° N, 100.0° E, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 6,679 km from the equator, in what geographers would call high-latitude latitudes.

The Arctic Circle runs through or very close to it. Canada, Sweden and Norway sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.

14 countries share a land border with it: Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland and Ukraine. The largest of them by area is China, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 1.57 billion people.

Unlike its landlocked neighbours it reaches the sea directly, while also sharing land frontiers.

People, population and language

Population divided by land area gives roughly 8.4 people per square kilometre, which makes it very thinly populated. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.

Russian is the only official language. Russian is one of the widely shared official languages here, listed by 7 other entries including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Someone from Russia is a Russian.

Inside Europe it places 1st of 53 by population, and it accounts for 74% of everyone living in Eastern Europe.

Currency, domain and dialling code

The currency is the Russian ruble (₽, RUB). No other entry in this dataset uses it, so the currency is specific to Russia.

Moscow is the city to remember for this country.

Its internet country code is .ru. Calls from overseas start with +7. Standard country codes: ru and RUS.

It holds a seat at the United Nations, one of 193 entries here that do. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.

Neighbouring countries

Russia shares borders with 14 countries:

• 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
• 🇧🇾 Belarus
• 🇨🇳 China
• 🇪🇪 Estonia
• 🇫🇮 Finland
• 🇬🇪 Georgia
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
• 🇰🇵 North Korea
• 🇱🇻 Latvia
• 🇱🇹 Lithuania
• 🇲🇳 Mongolia
• 🇳🇴 Norway
• 🇵🇱 Poland
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine

Fun facts about Russia

• It lies about 6,679 km from the equator, in high-latitude latitudes.
• Within Eastern Europe it is the 1st largest of 4.
• People from Russia are known as Russians.
• The Arctic Circle runs across or very near it.
• Population density works out at roughly 8.4 people per square kilometre.
• Russian is official here and in 7 other entries worldwide.

Russia — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Russia?

The capital of Russia is Moscow.

What is the population of Russia?

Russia has a population of about 143.5 million, which makes it the 9th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Bangladesh sits just above it and Ethiopia just below.

What language is spoken in Russia?

The official language of Russia is Russian. It is also official in 7 other entries on this list.

What currency does Russia use?

Russia uses the Russian ruble, written ₽ (currency code RUB). No other entry in this dataset uses it.

How big is Russia?

Russia covers 17,098,242 km², ranking 1st of 250 by land area. That makes it roughly twice the size of Canada.

Where is Russia located?

Russia is in Eastern Europe, part of Europe. Its reference coordinates are 60.0° north and 100.0° east, roughly 6,679 km from the equator in high-latitude latitudes.

Is Russia a country?

Yes. Russia is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.

Which countries border Russia?

Russia borders 14 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Norway, Poland and Ukraine. China is the largest of them by area.