History
Founded: 1147
City’s birthday: Celebrated each year on September 5th
Figures
Population: 11.7 mln (as of October, 2010)
Area: 1,081 square kilometers
Geography
Location:Moscow is situated on the banks of the Moskva River, which flows for just over 500 km through the East European Plain in central Russia. The width of Moscow city (not limiting MKAD) from west to east is 39.7 km (24.7 mi), and the length from north to south is 51.7 km (32.1 mi).
Latitude: 59 degrees 57' North
Longitude: 37 degrees 36'
Weather: Moscow has a humid continental climate. Typical high temperatures in the warm months of June, July and August are around 23 °C (73 °F), but during heat waves (which can occur between May and September), daytime high temperatures often top 30 °C (86 °F) - sometimes for a week or a two at a time. In the winter, temperatures normally drop to approximately ?10 °C (14.0 °F), though there can be periods of warmth with temperatures rising above 0 °C (32 °F). Snow cover (present for 3–5 months a year) typically begins at the end of November and melts by mid-March.
Time Zone: GMT +4, Eastern +8
Main river: The Moskva River is a river that flows through the Moscow and Smolensk Oblasts in Russia, and is a tributary of the Oka River.
Interesting facts
Origin of the name: The city is named after the river (old Russian literally "the city by the Moskva River"). The first Russian reference to Moscow dates from 1147 when Yuri Dolgorukiy called upon the prince of the Novgorod-Severski to "come to me, brother, to Moscow."
Simbols:The Coat of Arms of Moscow depicts horseman with a spear in his hand slaying a basilisk and is identified with Saint George and the Dragon. The heraldic emblem of Moscow has been an integral part of the Coat of Arms of Russia since the 16th century. Its three colours – blue, red, and white – are believed to have inspired the colours of the Flag of Russia.
Local government:Moscow is the seat of power for the Russian Federation. At the center of the city, in Central Administrative Okrug, is the Moscow Kremlin, which houses the home of the President of Russia as well as many of the facilities for the national government. This includes numerous military headquarters and the headquarters of the Moscow Military District. Moscow, like with any national capital, is also the host of all the foreign embassies and diplomats representing a multitude of nations in Russia. Moscow is designated as one of only two Federal cities of Russia (the other one being Saint Petersburg). Among the 83 federal subjects of Russia, Moscow represents the most populated one and the smallest one in terms of area. Lastly, Moscow is located within the central economic region, one of twelve regions within Russia with similar economic goals.
Origin of the name:The city is named after the river (old Russian literally "the city by the Moskva River"). The first Russian reference to Moscow dates from 1147 when Yuri Dolgorukiy called upon the prince of the Novgorod-Severski to "come to me, brother, to Moscow."
Infrastructure
Local government: The Governor and the Governor’s Office, The Legislative Assembly
Money: Russian Rubles. Many stores accept credit cards, and all stores accept only rubles that you can buy at a number of conveniently located currency exchange points (obmenni punkti) throughout the city. Please be sure to bring along your passport. Without a passport you can not change money. Most obmenni punkti charge about 50 cents to change money.
Zoning: 10 administrative okrugs and 123 districts
Transport:Moscow Metro contains twelve lines, mostly underground with a total of 182 stations. The one subway fare is 55 Roubles and the open ours are from 5.35 a.m. to 1.00. One can also buy a ticket for ten or more rides. Bus: Passage fare for bus, trolley, tram is 45 Rubles - To be paid to the conductor. Taxi
Airports:Sheremetievo 1, Bykovo domestic, Sheremetievo 2, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Ostefievo International
Water: Moscow also has two passenger terminals, (South River Terminal and North River Terminal or Rechnoy vokzal), on the river and regular ship routes and cruises along Moskva and Oka rivers, which are used mostly for entertainment. The North River Terminal, built in 1937, is also the main hub for long-range river routes. There are also three freight ports serving Moscow.
Railway: Belorussky Rail Terminal, Kazansky Rail Terminal, Kiyevsky Rail Terminal, Kursky Rail Terminal, Leningradsky Rail Terminal, Paveletsky Rail Terminal, Rizhsky Rail Terminal, Savyolovsky Rail Terminal, Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal.