The Edvectus Educator: an Introduction to Russia a Guide to Successful Integration

The Edvectus Educator: An Introduction to Russia A Guide to Successful Integration

The Facts and Figures Official Name: The Russian Federation Location: North Eastern Europe and Northern Asia Border: Russia borders more countries than any other country in the world, sharing land borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, North Korea and water borders with Japan and USA. Area: 17,098,242 Square Kms Topography: A vastly diverse country, Russia varies from tundra zones, forest zones, plains (or steppes), arid, desert zones and also mountainous zones. Capital: Moscow Population: 143,975,923 Main Language: Russian Currency: Ruble Dialling Code: +7 Time Zone: (UTC+2 to +12) Government: Federal Presidential Republic Main Airport: There are three major airports that serve Moscow; Sheremetyevo International Airport, Domodedovo International Airport and Vnukovo International Airport. Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersberg is also a very busy airport (the third busiest in the country) Main Carrier: Aeroflot is the Russian international airline Drives on the: Right Religion: Russian Orthodox © Edvectus This information has been developed for Edvectus candidates and cannot be distributed or copied without written permission

Unique Selling Points The largest, country in the world with a vast land mass accounting for more than 1/8 of the inhabited world’s land mass (it’s nearly twice the size of the USA and bigger than Pluto), sharing land borders with more countries than any other countries in the world, spanning nine time zones, extending from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia, home to the longest train line in the world, having the largest and most populous city in Europe, the deepest and oldest lake on the planet (Lake Baikal is 2.5 million years old), the tallest Christian Orthodox Church in the world and having the second highest concentration of billionaires in one city (84 in Moscow superseded only by New York in the USA). Indeed, Russia lays claim to many world records and astounding facts and is indeed a global superpower with symbols of her might everywhere. Bursting with history, culture and beauty, Russia is a powerful, exciting country. Yes there are very cold winters but also pleasantly warm summers with daylight extending into the evening and night. It’s a country of incredible beauty with world-famous landmarks such as the Valley of Geysers, Mount Elbrus, Kizhi Island, Lake Baikal, the Winter Palace in St Petersberg, the Kremlin, numerous museums, architecturally astounding buildings and many, many, MANY other fantastic sights. Russia can be an expensive place to live but – as with any location – if you don’t always insist on familiar brands and luxuries, you can live cheaply and, for an expat, Russia provides a unique lifestyle and opportunity.

The Winter Palace, St. Petersberg Lake Baikal, Russia The Kremlin, Moscow

Find out more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia http://wikitravel.org/en/Russia http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia http://waytorussia.net/WhatIsRussia/MythsAndTruth.html Myths and Truths about Russia http://www.expatinfodesk.com/expat-guide/deciding-on-the-right-country/top-expatriate- destinations/russia/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY-S-AbCNDQ&spfreload=10 Russia Vacation Travel Video Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_aor95jyS8&spfreload=10 Russia: 10 Top Tourist Attractions - Video Travel Guide © Edvectus This information has been developed for Edvectus candidates and cannot be distributed or copied without written permission

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnXPEQ9Wpl0&spfreload=10 10 Crazy Facts about Russia

Moscow Situated in the west of Russia on the banks of the Moskva River is Russia’s capital city, Moscow. With a population of around 13 Moscow at night million (about 1/10 of the population of Russia), Moscow is the largest city in Russia and in Europe. Well known for its cold climate, temperatures dip to around minus 10 in winter and peak in the low 20s in summer months. It is therefore best to do your sightseeing in spring and summer as, aside from the cold, it stays light until about 11pm during the summer months providing ample opportunity to spend your evenings sightseeing.

Moscow is served by three airports and with 9 railway stations, is also well connected to the rest of Russia as well as beyond to Europe and Asia. There are high speed ‘Sapsan’ trains and also trans-European trains as well as the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. Within Moscow itself, transport is easiest using the Metro system which – aside from being quick and fairly inexpensive – is an essential part of the tourist trail with stations that are literally works of art. Some of the finest artists and architects were hired to build the metro and materials from demolished temples, mosaics, chandeliers and Moscow Metro Station Komsomolskaja marble are common place in these amazing stations. It opened in 1935 with 13 stations and today has over 100. Another claim to fame of the ‘most of something’ is that more people ride the metro each day in Moscow than in London and New York combined - about 9 million people every day. Astounding figures! There are also buses and trolleybuses to take you around the city, a few trams, a monorail, Marshrutka (a kind of minibus-style transport) and of course taxis. In summer there is a river bus system which is not possible in the icy waters in winter.

Moscow University, part of the 7 With so many amazing things to see in Moscow you will Sisters Skyscrapers in Moscow need plenty of time (and energy) to take in the sights. Some of the most famous, unmissable tourist destinations are the Star City Space Museum where you can see Yuri Gagarin’s space suit, space vehicles, simulators and so on, and learn about the history of the Russian space programme. The observation deck at TV Tower provides amazing panoramic views of the city from a very great height (377 metres). It’s not for the faint hearted! A boat trip down the Moskva River is a different way to view the city and you can take a cruise or if you want to hop on and hop off along the way, you can take the River Shuttle (sometimes called River Tram) and take in the sights by foot as well.

You can see several iconic buildings and notable tourist spots at once when you get to Red Square with the History Museum, Lenin’s Mausoleum, The Alexander Garden and St. Basilius Cathedral which was built by Russia’s first Tsar, Ivan 4th, also known as Ivan the Terrible. Then, of course, there is the ultimate symbol of power; the Kremlin (which means ‘fortress’), summed up perfectly by the old Russian saying, “Above Moscow there is only one Kremlin and above the Kremlin there is only one God.” Across from Red Square is the GUM shopping centre, home to around 1000 shops and another architectural marvel worth a visit even if you are not planning on buying anything. Just southwest of the Kremlin stands the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour which, at 103 metres high, is the tallest Orthodox Christian Church in the world. The 7 sister skyscrapers (or Stalinskie Vysotki meaning "(Stalin's) high-rises") house the Moscow University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several up-market hotels. Other must-see places are the most famous theatre in the world, the Bolshoi Theatre in the Tverskya area where you can see the ballet and opera. There is the Fountain in Gorky Park Arbatskya Pedestrian area which is teaming with musicians and artists (and of course tourists) and Gorky Park – or to use its full name, Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure. The park covers about 300 acres along the river and in 2011 the park was revamped and turned into an eco-friendly recreational area with amenities and attractions such as a roller coaster, ice rink, hockey, dancing, and general skating areas, cafes and restaurants, an open air cinema and free Wi-Fi.

The list of attractions goes on and on and with bars, clubs and restaurants as well there are many more than we have listed but not all are foreigner-friendly because of the language barrier. Whilst hotel and restaurant staff usually speak English, the locals don’t. English- language newspapers (such as The Moscow Times) can help point you in the right direction when researching which places to visit but yu would be well advised to take a Russian language course to master some of the basics and learn how to read Cyrillic so you can get by in places where you’re not amongst expats or people who speak English. This will also help you assimilate more easily and mix with locals as well to fully enjoy the experience of living in Russia.

Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Moscow Skating Rink in Red Square and GUM shopping centre

Find out more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow http://wikitravel.org/en/Moscow http://www.lonelyplanet.com/russia/moscow http://www.expatarrivals.com/russia/moscow/moving-to-moscow http://weheart.moscow/toptenreasons/ Visit Moscow – Top Ten Reasons to Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFWF6KF8SaE&spfreload=10 Living in Moscow, an overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A56qvjt96_M&spfreload=10 Moscow Travel Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeKaN1q81ks&spfreload=10 Best of Moscow Aerial FPV flights Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLqJ0vSGKlk&spfreload=10 Best of Moscow Aerial FPV flights Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ-6FiIEMdU&spfreload=10 Top Ten Magnificent things to do in Moscow © Edvectus This information has been developed for Edvectus candidates and cannot be distributed or copied without written permission

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1bUMjUQZhY&spfreload=10 Moskva Vacation Travel Video Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnN2BNrSrXY&spfreload=10 Expedia Moscow Vacation Travel Guide

Top Ten Reasons to Consider Russia and Moscow 1. Bursting with culture and history, you will never be bored exploring Russia and it’s fascinating past and present. It is home to many examples of stunning architecture and places of natural beauty as well. 2. Russia is a vast, diverse, beautiful country stretching from Asia to Europe and from Moscow in particular, you will be well-positioned for travel to neighbouring countries in both of these continents. 3. Almost 40% of Russia’s historical sites can be found within or close to Moscow and apparently 200 of these are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 4. Whilst winters are cold and snowy, Moscow experiences warm summers with light evenings. 5. Moscow has become a very energetic, exciting, international city and there is a thriving expat community and several online expat community forums to help you connect with others outside of your school. 6. Moscow has plenty of good shopping, nightlife, restaurants, clubs and bars. 7. Everything is within walking distance and open 24/7 8. Locals are friendly and hospitable (just don’t try and match them vodka for vodka!). 9. Expat salaries in Russia are good and the income tax is attractively low at a flat rate of 13%. Compare this to more than 20% in countries like the US you will notice the difference in your pay packet

Decorations for New Year, Moscow architecture. Tverskaya street and Manezhnaya Square