Russia has existed as a state for over a thousand years, and during most of the 20th century Russia was the core of the Soviet Union.

Vladimir Putin, who is the former head of the legendary KGB, was elected as Prime Minister on 9 August 1999.

Alexander Neysky, the prince who received protection and help in his battles against the Swedes and Teutonic Knights, who challenged the Mongols and stood up for their freedom.

Ivan the Terrible, even though he was mentally unstable, will always bring a chill to the spine and taste of fear and repulsion.

Facilities for Telephones, cellular phones, radio and television stations have been firmly established in the country for some time now.

In December 1991, the Soviet Union was disbanded, marking the end of 74 years of Soviet power in Russia.

The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev (1985-1991) introduced "glasnost" (openness) and "perestroika" (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism.

The disastrous performance of the Russian armed forces in the Russo-Japanese War was a major blow to the Russian State and increased the potential for unrest. In January 1905, an incident known as "Bloody Sunday" occurred when Father Gapon led an enormous crowd to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to present a petition to the tsar. When the procession reached the palace, Cossacks opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds. The Russian masses were so aroused over the massacre that a general strike was declared demanding a democratic republic. This marked the beginning of the Russian Revolution of 1905. Soviets (councils of workers) appeared in most cities to direct revolutionary activity.