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Russia

Definition

Russia is the largest country in the world by land area, spanning Eastern Europe and northern Asia. It has a diverse cultural history and a political system that has transitioned from monarchy to communism to its current semi-presidential republic.

Analogy

Think of Russia as a giant quilt. Each patch represents different regions with their unique cultures, languages, and histories - from the European influences in the west to Asian influences in Siberia. The thread holding this quilt together is the Russian language and shared historical experiences.

Related terms

Soviet Union: A federal socialist state in northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991. It was a one-party state governed by the Communist Party with Moscow as its capital.

Communism: A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Trans-Siberian Railway: The longest railway line in the world, connecting Moscow with Vladivostok on Russia's east coast. This railway played an important role in developing Siberia's vast territories.