Russia is the largest country in the world by total area, with the 9th largest population (144 million). The more populous Western part of Russia is usually grouped into Europe with the Eastern part considered to be part of Asia. It is so large it spans 11 time zones and contains a huge variation of climatic conditions and landscapes. A large proportion of the country is sparsely populated and it is home to 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 40 UNESCO biosphere reserves as well as many Natioal Parks and reserves.
Capital city: Moscow
Highest Point: Mount Elbrus (5,642 m / 18,510 ft)
Lowest Point: Caspian Sea, -92 feet / −28 m
Water Area: 857,064 sq. mi (2,219,776 sq. km)
Total Area: 6,592,800 sq. mi (17,075,200 sq. km)
Coastline: 22,991 mi (37,000 km)
Bordering countries (14) Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. (Maritime borders 2; Japan and U.S.)
Valleys can be formed in various ways such as by erosion from the passage of water or ice but the world’s largest valleys are created by tectonic movements where the land mass is literally torn apart by immense forces leading eventually to the formation of new seas and continents. Such a “rift valley” has been…