Moscow (Russian Moskva) is the capital city of Russia. What comes to your mind when you hear the name of this country? I suppose it is the size. It’s not a surprise for anyone that Russia is the biggest country in the world. And, of course, a huge country has a huge capital. The population of Moscow is roughly equal to the population of Norway and Switzerland combined. It’s like a separate country with its own life style and rules. That’s why so many people have some questions about Moscow. In this article, I’ll try to answer to the most popular of them and give you some General info about Moscow.
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WHERE IS MOSCOW SITUATED?
Moscow is located in the far western part of the country. If you look at the map and want to find Moscow, it could be easier to find firstly Russian or East European plain which is the second in the world after the Amazon lowlands.
Moscow from the top
WHY MOSCOW IS NAMED MOSCOW?
As many others cities, the capital of Russia is situated on a river which actually gave the city its name.
HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN MOSCOW?
Moscow’s population is about 12.19 million people (2018), that makes it the sixth largest city in the world and the second most populous city in Europe.
ARE THERE MIGRANTS IN MOSCOW?
Moscow’s official population are mostly its residents with “permanent residency.” There are additional 1.8 million official “guests” on temporary residency through visas or documentation. Those without documentation, mostly from Central Asia, add another 1 million people.
HOW OLD IS MOSCOW?
Moscow was founded in 1147. It is one of the oldest cities in Russia. The year of the city foundation is generally accepted to be 1147 when prince Yuri Dolgorukiy called upon his brother, the prince of the Novgorod-Severski to “come to me, brother, to Moscow.” This is the first record of Moscow in Russian chronicles.
Historical heart of Moscow
WHAT ARCHEOLOGICAL REMAINS WERE DISCOVERED IN MOSCOW?
The oldest coins found on the territory of the Kremlin date to 862-866 AD. The remains of an ancient roadway and fragments of old settlements (found near Red Square) are attributed to the 11th century. But what was the name of this settlement at that time? The chronicles keep silence.
IS IT COLD IN MOSCOW?
There are lots of stereotypes about Russia. Some people strongly believe that it’s freeze all over the year. But actually, it’s not. The climate there is continental, with long and freezing winters and mild or moderately warm summers, when, however, there can be hot days. July is the warmest month of the year. The temperature in July averages 18.4 °C. In January, the average temperature is -9.2 °C. It is the lowest average temperature of the whole year.
ARE THERE BEARS IN THE STREETS OF MOSCOW?
With no doubt, it is a stereotype. Of course, you can’t meet a bear just walking around the city, only in the zoo. However, if you move several kilometres farther, you may very well meet one in the forest.
People walking in Moscow
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MOSCOW?
The best time to visit Moscow is April and May, when the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day, and hotel rates have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges. But, of course, the golden period is summer, when the city is warm and bustling.
WHAT ARE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR MOSCOW?
Visitors from the US, UK, and other countries must first obtain a travel visa before they will be permitted to enter Moscow. A valid passport and other documents are obligatory for obtaining a visa.
WHAT IS THE TIME ZONE IN MOSCOW?
Moscow follows the Moscow Time zone, followed by St. Petersburg and most of western Russia as well. Moscow Time is UTC+4 and it’s one of nine time zones in Russia. Moscow does not observe daylight savings.
WHAT TO SEE IN MOSCOW?
Moscow is famous for its long history and rich cultural heritage. Being in Moscow one must visit Red Square and the Kremlin which are the symbols of all Russia. Besides, there is huge number of different cathedrals, palaces, museums, and art galleries with breathtaking architecture. If you are with your children, visit Moscow zoo which is home to more than 6,000 animals and more than 1,000 species.
WHAT DOES ARCHITECTURE IN MOSCOW LOOK LIKE?
Moscow today is full of historical buildings and monuments of unique architectural styles and techniques. Each of them carries its own stories and legends, reminding the viewer of various glorious eras. Emphasizing the characteristics of all periods that Russia has been through, from Tsardom Empire and the Russian Empire to the Soviet Union and the today’s Russian Federation, each of the following buildings and monuments is an important part of Moscow history.
Moscow’s Architecture
WHAT IS ECONOMY IN MOSCOW LIKE?
Moscow has a large economic infrastructure. It is home to the most billionaires in the world. In 2008 Moscow was named the world’s most expensive city for non-Russian workers for the third year in a row. In 2009, however, Moscow went down to third after Tokyo and Osaka came in first and second.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE IN MOSCOW?
Moscow is not the most expensive city in the world, but living here might be a challenge for new expats. Finding a place to live in Moscow is tricky, but there are many options for any budget. The cheapest way is to rent a single room in a shared apartment. Depending on the location, the average monthly cost is from 15,000 rubbles ($253) to 30,000 rubbles ($507).
WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN IN MOSCOW?
Russian is the official language of Moscow, and the majority of citizens of this city speak this language. However, English is more widely spoken here than in any other city in Russia, and is the second language of 80 percent of the bilingual citizens of the city.
Because Russia’s official alphabet is the Cyrillic alphabet, signs will also be written in Cyrillic script. This can make getting around tricky at first, but a Russian phrasebook can help you decipher street signs and place names.
WHAT DO PEOPLE EAT IN MOSCOW?
This is a very important question of general info about Moscow. Moscow has absorbed the culture and traditions of different nationalities of Russia and Europe. This applies to the Moscow cuisine. Moscow dishes are original, hearty, and different from other regional cuisines of Russia, even if prepared according to the same recipes. The most common dishes are Open Pies, Sour Soup, and Borsch.
ARE PEOPLE IN MOSCOW FRIENDLY?
Recently, Moscow is the world’s most unfriendly city by readers of Travel+Leisure. However, many people who have visited this city think that it isn’t true. Sometimes Russian people seem to be severe. But it’s because of their mentality, inside of which you can find and friendly people.
Tourists in Moscow
WHO ARE FAMOUS MOSCOVITES?
In Moscow there are about 4,532 famous musicians, actors, historical figures, and other celebrities. This list includes Alexander Pushkin (author of Eugene Onegin), Fyodor Dostoevsky (author of Crime and Punishment), and Wassily Kandinsky (known as the Father of Abstract Art).
