The Russian Federation is the world's largest country. Although part of the country is in Asia, 80% of the population lives in European Russia. The country is mostly flat however, the land does rise up to the Caucasus Mountains with Elbrus being the highest peak. Russia contains several of the world's longest rivers, including the Yenisei-Angara and Ob-Irtysh. It also includes part of the world's largest inland body of water, the Caspian Sea.

The climate Moscow has cold, snowy winters and warm, mild summers. South Siberia has a harsh, dry climate but it is not as severe as parts of North Siberia.

Russia is a major producer of crops. Principal crops include barley, flax, fruit, oats, rye, potatoes, sugar beet, sunflower seeds, vegetables and wheat. Although Russian is the official language of the country, many other languages are commonly spoken there.

For more information on Russia, please see:

"Russia." Philip's Encyclopedia 2008. London: Philip's, 2008. Credo Reference. 28 Apr. 2008. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?qurl=http://www.credoreference.com/entry/philipency/russia