What is the Capital of Russia?
Moscow is the largest, most populous, and the capital city of Russia. It is located on the western part of the country and lies entirely on the European continent. Moscow is the world's 14th largest metro by area and 11th by population. It is considered an alpha city because of its dominance by size and population over other Russian cities. Moscow is the coldest and the northernmost metropolis and megacity on the planet. Both the tallest freestanding structure and the tallest building in Europe are found within the city. Moscow is the seat of the government; it houses the Kremlin and the two chambers of parliament.
Demographics of the Capital of Russia
The population of Moscow is estimated at 12.3m. The city’s boundary is continuously enlarging and encircling more people within the city limits. Due to the high number of illegal immigrants, the actual population is thought to be between 13 to 17 million. A single mayor runs the entire city, but it is divided into twelve administrative okrugs. A majority of the residents are Christians, most of whom are members of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, a majority of the youths consider themselves irreligious. Other religions include Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism.
Geography of Moscow
Moscow is located along the banks of the Moskva River. The river flows for 310 miles across eastern Europe and central Russia. Forty-nine bridges span across the river within the city limits. The average city elevation is 512 ft above sea level while the highest point is Teplostanskaya highland which is 837 feet above the sea level. The city is considered the reference point for the eastern Russia time zone that includes Crimea and Saint Petersburg. The time in Moscow is presented as UTC+3.
Economy of the Capital City of Russia
Moscow is among the largest city economies in Europe; it accounts for about one-fifth of the country's GDP. As of 2012, the Gross Regional Product of the city was estimated at $250 billion and a per capita income of $20,500. The unemployment rate is 1%, which is significantly lower, compared to the national average of 7%. Moscow is home to some of the largest financial institutions and companies in Russia. Some of the companies headquartered in the city include Sberbank of Russia, Gazprom, and Rosneft.
Cost of Living in Moscow
Moscow is much cheaper compared to other capital cities in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Finding a residential home can be tricky most people, therefore, opt for a single room in an apartment, which cost anything between $250 and $500, or a nicely furnished one-bedroom house for between $507 and $700. The cost of food is affordable especially for locally grown products. Fruit, fish, meat, vegetables, and poultry products are readily available in the markets spread across the city. Due to the large population, commuting might be a problem and takes up a significant amount of time. A monthly pass for public transport is about $33.
