The political state of Russia emerged following the expansion of the principality of Muscovy - emerging from Mongol domination to conquer and absorb the surrounding principalities. The Romanov dynasty continued this expansionist policy. Peter I extended Muscovy's rule to the Baltic Sea, and the Russian Empire came into being. The dramatic fall of the Romanov dynasty, the formation of the USSR under Lenin, the brutal dictatorship of Stalin and the Cold War placed the USSR at the forefront of world politics. The USSR dissolved under Gorbachev, and 15 separate republics were formed in 1991. Although vastly reduced territorially, Russia remains a vast and powerful state, retaining political influence in the region and worldwide.To be updated
May 9th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Rostov
Excellent breakfast. Late start - 12 noon. Got a bus into town with Alfred Muller, who had a map, and walked round. Nothing much to see. A port, rather tatty park, long treelined streets like al ... 9 photos[full story]
May 9th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Rostov
Excellent breakfast, including kefir to drink and sweet cheese pancakes. Did a bit of work on my bike then went on a guided walking tour of Odessa - guide was a nice girl called Natalia. Saw some ... 6 photos[full story]
May 8th 2008Europe » Russia » Northwest » Saint Petersburg After taking the train from Helsinki, I finally arrived in Russia, where I will commence on the Trans Siberian Railway in a week or so, which officially starts from Moscow. Whilst so far I have travel ... 5 photos[full story]
April 25th 2008Europe » Russia » Siberia » Krasnoyarsk
Out of concern for my beloved companion, who had been sleeping on the lower bunk, I peered down below me to see what was going on. Two men sat on the bunk opposite her, one wielding a bottle of vodk ... [full story]
May 7th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Moscow At last I saw the city which I wished to see for a long time and I was on my way to Moscow. This time my ticket was for a 4 bed compartment in the train. I was expecting to travel with males but again ... 20 photos[full story]
May 5th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Moscow So I survived the awful train rıde back from St. Petersburg where I was squished between 2 fat Russian ladies all night who kept elbowing me. I hardly slept a wink-- it was brutal..and worst of ... [full story]
April 28th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Moscow So with a sore face after so much laughing I try and get out of the Hostel but the lady working today seems to think I have not payed the bill so in a typical russian fashion there is a long protracte ... 12 photos[full story]
April 26th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Moscow So the 26th April had one additional treat - the first ride on the Moscow Metro! Back at University one of my best friends (Louise Bastable) had a small book on the Moscow Metro that she had found in ... 4 photos[full story]
April 26th 2008Europe » Russia » Centre » Moscow So day two in Moscow is preceeded by a brief encounter with a Russian couple staying at the same hostel but departing on my first night. Vadim Lukomskiy is my first real Russian conversation. He is fr ... 7 photos[full story]
May 4th 2008Europe » Russia » South » Volgograd When the train started to move from Rostov, I was tired enough for a sleep. The destination was from one big river of Europe to another big one which draws the border between Euorope and Asia. I start ... [full story]
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