Russia

The largest country in the world, Russia covers an area equivalent to more than an eighth of the earth's inhabited land area, and is located in Northern Asia bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean.

Russia has a population of 144 million people, making it the ninth most populous country, and is one of the world's ten largest economies by both GDP and by purchasing power parity (PPP).

Formerly the dominant republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Russia is now an independent country and an influential member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). With vast natural reserves including oil and gas, which make up its major exports, the country's market economy is buoyed by the energy, services, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, and significant growth in tourism.