People and leaders around the world often referred to the Soviet Union as "Russia" and its people as "Russians".

Putin achieved wide popularity by stabilizing the government, especially in marked contrast to what many Russians saw as the chaos of the latter Yeltsin years. The economy grew, both because of rising oil prices and in part because Putin was able to achieve reforms in banking, labor, and private property. During this time, Russia also moved closer to the U.S., especially after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2002, the NATO-Russia Council was established, giving Russia a voice in NATO discussions.

The Russian Civil War effectively took place between two main fractions. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, were known as the Reds, while the monarchists, militarists and all other groups opposed to Bolshevik rule were known as the Whites.

The topography of the Russia can be easily divided into five natural zones: tundra, taiga, steppe, arid and mountain.

During the last five years (2007), poverty has declined steadily and the middle class has continued to expand.

Olga ruled in place of her husband, and in 954, she accepted Christianity as her faith, which became the official religion of the state under the rule of Vladimir the Great.

In 1928 Stalin established his first Five year Plan for modernizing the country’s economy which basically stipulated that most of the country’s economic output would be put back into the country to establish heavy industry.

The Russian federal budget has run growing surpluses since 2001, as the government has taxed and saved much of the rapidly increasing oil revenues.