Population: 145 million
Area: 17,075,200 square km, 17,075,200 square miles.
Language(s): Russian, many local languages
Capital City: Moscow
Major Cities: St Petersburg.
Local Time: Kaliningrad:
From 28 Mar 04 to 31 Oct 04 GMT +3
From 31 Oct 04 to 27 Mar 05 GMT +2
Moscow, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan & Naryan-Ma:
From 28 Mar 04 to 31 Oct 04 GMT +4
From 31 Oct 04 to 27 Mar 05 GMT +3
Izhevsk & Samara:
From 28 Mar 04 to 31 Oct 04 GMT +5

Passport & Visa Info
The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate.

Passports
Required by all.

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid 6 months after date of return.

Visas
Required by all.

Air Transit
Required by all except:

• Kaliningrad (KGD)
• Moscow Domodedovo (DME)
• Moscow Sheremetyevo International (SVO)
• Moscow Vnukovo (VKO)
• St. Petersburg Pulkovo (LED)

Russia is a vast and diverse nation that continues to evolve politically and economically. Major urban centers show tremendous differences in economic development compared to rural areas. Past economic difficulties have included bank closures. Travellers sometimes cannot access money easily via credit card advances or wire transfers. While good tourist facilities exist in Moscow, St. Petersburg and some other large cities, they are not developed in most of Russia, and some of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available.

Climate: Winter is cold with heavy snowfall. Snow thaws Mar/Apr and this period can be quite wet. Summer is very similar to British summer in northern regions and more like the Med in southern regions. Autumn is much shorter than in Britain as winter/snows start in late Oct/Nov. Southern regions are generally warmer.

Clothing: During winter a hat is essential with scarf, gloves & thick soled waterproof footwear. Lightweight clothing for summer especially in southern regions.