All About Russia

A typical Russian host family consists of a mother and father who both work and children who all go to school. The host family may include a grandmother called the babushka who fills the rule as wise women, curator of memories and traditions, and baker of favorite comfort foods. The family may have a few pets as well.
Owning a private detached house in a Russian city is a very rare occurrence. Most Russians that live in cities live in city apartments (flats). These buildings are called “khrushchevkas”. Khrushchevkas are positioned in a block of four or five buildings. There is usually a playground or kindergarten in the area between the buildings in a central courtyard. Another type of apartment that Russians commonly live in are called communal apartments. In this setting, many people or even families live together and share the same kitchen and bathroom. Families that do not want to live in Russian cities live in Russian villages or small towns and have their own country houses. These country houses are down in price compared to the city apartments because they are away from the city. Country houses have land that is large enough to grow plants and provide food. They also have a shed, hayloft, and several enclosures for cattle. Though most Russians want to have a house and garden, they do not want to live so far away from the city. Many Russians live in what they call a “dacha”. A dacha is a very small house with a piece of land that is large enough for a garden. Dachas are located in close proximity to the city.
Russia has one of the best mass-education systems in the world, producing a literacy rate of ninety eight percent. The system consists of obligatory basic education and higher education. It consists of primary school education for ages six to ten, followed by senior school for ages ten to fifteen. A typical school day starts at eight o’clock in the morning and ends at two o ’clock in the afternoon. Classes are five days a week from September to May. After school the children have a variety of activities that they can do. For an example, they could do Russian matryoshka (nesting doll) painting or learn to play the balalaika or bayan. They can also play a variety of sports such as football (soccer), hockey, tennis, or basketball.
There are many places to go visit in Russia. But the major attractions include the Red Square in Moscow, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, and Lake Baikal in Siberia. When you walk into the Red Square, it is a breathtaking experience. Its stunning architecture includes St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. The State Hermitage is one of the oldest and largest museums. It is the home to a remarkable collection of art and historical treasures. Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake. The water is very clear and even pure enough to drink!
Russia is the largest country in the world in area. Because Russia is so large, it exhibits a great diversity in geography and ethnicities. About 160 different ethnic groups can be found in Russia. Russian is the official language, but over 100 languages are spoken by its peoples. Many traditional cultural Russian foods include bliny, pirogi, pirozhki and pel'meni, chelb, and, kasha and potatoes.
Russia is considered a Federation and formally a semi-presidential republic. The Russian Federation is a social state whose policy is to create conditions that ensure a decent life and free development. In the Russian Federation, state power is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial power, and the bodies of such power are independent. The President, the Federal Assembly, the government, and the courts of the Russian Federation exercise state power. The President of the Russian Federation is the head of the state.
The majority of Russians identify with the Eastern Orthodox (Christian) religion, but Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism are also practiced in Russia.